"Friends!" returned the major.
"Who is it?" demanded the colonel.
"Walkall," replied the man, who evidently recognized the magnate of Greeltop.
"All right, Walkall; this is another company of United States cavalry. Where are the enemy?"
"Behind Mr. Hasbrook's mansion. They have halted there; but we are all ready for them."
"Where is the company of cavalry which must have arrived an hour or two since?" inquired the major.
"I don't know just where the troopers are now; we turned over everything to Captain Truman, and he is managing the matter," replied Walkall. "He stationed me here to report if an enemy came in on the Greeltop road."
Captain Gordon had been ordered to halt the company. Deck was sent with the sentinel to find the captain of the second company, and the first was to remain at the corner. They followed the road leading to the home of the magnate, which crossed the principal avenue of the village, and came to another, parallel to it, along the rear of the square. At this point they were challenged; and it could be seen by the light of the fire that sentinels were stationed all along this street.
"Who comes there?" demanded the sentinel.
"Messenger from the major of the squadron, directed to find Captain Truman."