"Your fate would not have been an uncommon one with Union men, unhappily," added the major.
"Could I see the young man that was foremost in saving me? I wish to express my personal gratitude to him for the service; for he was a brave fellow, and managed the affair well, or he would have failed. The ruffians were six to three; but the young man hit in the right place every time."
"Who was he, Knox?" asked the major of the sergeant, who had listened to the narrative while standing at the entrance of the tent.
"It was Deck, Major," replied Knox, with a smile on his wiry face.
Deck soon appeared in the tent; and the planter grasped his hand, pouring out his thanks for what he had done. He desired to take him to his mansion, that his wife and daughter might have an opportunity to express their obligations to him; but Deck declined to go.
"Now, Mr. Barkland, do you know of any other body of troops in this vicinity?" asked the major, changing the subject of the conversation.
"Nothing within my own knowledge, Major Lyon," replied the planter. "Captain Tites and his men"—
"Captain who?" interposed the major.
"Captain Tites; that is what the others called him, or, at least, the name sounded like that."