"I think we have reduced the enemy by three, and perhaps more," replied the young officer; and he proceeded to explain what he and his companions had been doing.
"You think you have knocked down three or more of the robbers?"
"As many as that."
"Then that explains it!"
"Explains what?" asked Deck, as much puzzled by the exhilarated tones of the planter as by his questions.
"One of them hailed me some time ago, and wanted to see the one in command. I told him the commander was not in the house, but was conducting the fight outside. He asked me to send for him, but I refused to do so. I did not intend to interrupt your operation; for I never take another's command away from him," replied the colonel, indulging at the same time in a chuckle, to which he was somewhat given when pleased.
"Do you know what he wanted?"
"I do; for he shouted down the stairs that he and the rest of them desired to surrender."
"Then we will let them do so," added Deck, who was not disposed to fight after the battle had been won.
"What shall you do with them after they have surrendered, Lieutenant?" asked the planter, plainly much interested in the question.