e order of Major Lyon, Captain Gordon, that you send Sergeant
Knox, with ten men, to the right of your line, to prevent the escape of
any of the enemy to the swamp. Also, that you send Lieutenant Lyon to
headquarters," said Fronklyn, delivering his message.

On the right of the line four of the ruffians had attempted to flee
from the scene of the anticipated surrender; but Lieutenant Gadbury had
ordered four of his men to fire upon them. One had been wounded, and
the others had returned to the ranks. This was the occasion of the
order to send Knox to the border of the swamp. Deck went with Fronklyn
to the major by the same way the sergeant had come. On their arrival
the lieutenant found Grundy had come over to interview the major,
attended by a man bearing the flag of truce.

"You are treating these ruffians as though they were regular soldiers,
Major Lyon; and I protest against it!" exclaimed Colonel Hickman, just
as Deck saluted the major.

"I can answer you better when I have heard what Captain Grundy has to
say," replied the major with his usual dignity and gentleness.

"He is not a captain; he has no commission or authority of any kind
from the State or Nation," protested the planter.

"I can understand and appreciate your feelings, Colonel, in the face of
the outrages to which you have been subjected; but I shall be greatly
obliged to you if you will permit me to discharge my duty without
further interruption. I have been the victim of similar indignities;
but I cannot order men who probably intend to surrender, to be hung, or
to be shot down in cold blood."

Upon this appeal Colonel Hickman was silent, though evidently very much
against his will. Captain Grundy approached the major at a signal from
him. He was asked to make the communication he sought to offer under
the flag of truce.

"My troop are fighting-men; but of course, surrounded by six times
their number, we should all be sabred or shot down in a few minutes.
Against this odds I do not intend to fight," said the guerilla leader,
who was evidently a man of some education, and conducted himself with
some degree of dignity.

"Do you propose to surrender?" asked the major.

"I do, if reasonable terms are held out to me," replied Captain Grundy.

"What do you consider reasonable terms?" inquired the commander of the
squadron.

"That we should lay down our arms, retain our horses, and retire to our
homes, returning to our usual occupations," answ