aid Warren, as he pointed to the negro coming
across the field from the Jamestown road. "He is devoted to the
governor; and I think he brings news of some sort, good or bad."

Between the mansion and the road there was a hill which prevented them
from seeing the road; but the negro soon reached the fort, which was
his nearest point. He drew in his rein, and stopped his steed at one
end of the breastwork. He was out of breath, apparently from excitement
rather than exertion.

"Dar's a whole comp'ny of sodjers on hossback comin' down de road!"
shouted Cuffy, as soon as he could collect breath enough to speak.

"What are they, Cuffy?" demanded Warren.

"Sodjers! Mars'r Warren."

"Of course they are soldiers; but on which side do they belong?"

"Dressed in blue, Mars'r Warren. Mus' be Union."

"The force must be one, or both, of your companies, Lieutenant," added
Warren. "I heard something said about sending them on a reconnoissance
when Captain Woodbine dismissed the riflemen. Where is the company now,
Cuffy?"

"Dey done halt behind dat hill, and send two men to de top ob it,"
replied the ferryman, who was quite cool by this time.

"Here comes the governor; and he will be glad to hear Cuffy's news,"
added the chief of artillery. "We shall be able to drive the brigands
off now."

"Drive them off!" exclaimed Deck. "I hope we shall be able to do
something better than that."

"What better than that can we do?" asked Warren.

"Do you want to put them in condition to raid the next plantation, and
hang the owner if he won't give up his money by to-morrow?"

Colonel Hickman came into the fort, and his son promptly gave him the
welcome news. He added that Lieutenant Lyon had some views of his own
in regard to the situation, and did not believe in simply driving the
enemy away.

"I should be glad to hear your views, Lieutenant," said the planter,
turning to the young officer.

"Of course the major or captain in command of the cavalry does not know
the country in this vicinity, though Cuffy says men have been sent to
the top of the hill to obtain information," said Deck. "But they can
see nothing, for there is another and higher hill between them and the
enemy. With your permission, Sergeant Fronklyn and myself will join our
company if they are in the road. Perhaps the entire squadron is there."

"What is your plan, Lieutenant?" asked the colonel, a little impatient
in his manner.

"We ought to capture every one