orses, with their equipments, in good condition.

On the contrary, this particular company of the enemy presented a
slovenly appearance; quite in contrast, also, with some other regiments
of their army. The major was a soldier of the highest type, and he
could not fail to see the neatness of the Riverlawns. Very likely he
was sorry to prevent the young lieutenant from carrying out his
intention to leave the camp; but his ideal as a military officer was to
do his duty.

Deck's troopers had drawn their sabres; and, with Life Knox in front,
they made an impetuous rush towards the entrance. The sergeant was even
more in earnest than usual; his horse was well trained, and when his
rider pressed his knees against his flanks, he darted off with fury
enough to satisfy the determined horseman.

"Halt!" shouted the major; but he might as well have addressed the wind
or the rain. "Surround them, Captain Staggers, as you did on the field!
Cut off their retreat if there is any manhood left in you!"

He led the way himself, though he could do nothing more, for he had no
sabre; nothing but his dress sword. Perhaps the captain felt the
necessity of redeeming himself after the number of lies he had told;
and he gave the order to charge the impetuous platoon, leading the
onslaught in person. The position of his company was nearer to the
entrance than that of Deck's command; but Life had spotted him, and
rushed upon him.

In spite of his shouting, there was little vim in the movement of the
captain. He made an awkward cut at the sergeant, who easily parried it,
and brought the sharp edge of his sabre down upon his shoulder, near
the neck, and the officer dropped to the ground as though a bullet had
gone through his brain. His horse turned, and had nearly upset the
major in his flight, and it was evident that the animal was not
accustomed to this kind of business. If the major could have obtained a
sabre, he would have done better work, and perhaps the platoon would
have been checked in its onward movement.

Deck, mindful of the many lessons in prudence he had received from his
father and his captain, had taken a position on the left of his
command; but the enemy were not there at that moment, though the
Confederate troopers, under the second lieutenant, were surrounding the
Riverlawns from the rear as they advanced. Deck realized that whatever
was done must be accomplished in a moment or never, and he could not
restrain himself, bu