Cumberland. The
staff-officer directed his glass to the other shore, and there was
nothing to obstruct his vision.

"As I supposed," said he, turning his horse, and starting on the return
to the ferry.

"It is pleasant to have your supposition confirmed," Deck ventured to
remark.

"My supposition was that the Confederate army would march to the south
at once, and I have seen the column moving in that direction on the
road that leads to Oak Forest," said Captain Woodbine, revealing his
object for the first time, though he said nothing about his purpose in
marching the Riverlawns to the river.

Deck asked no questions, but when they had gone half-way to the ferry
the sound of several bugles was heard ahead of them.

"Our squadron appears to have arrived," said he.

"Perhaps it has," replied the captain with a smile.

"That is an artillery call!" exclaimed the lieutenant, as he recognized
the sounds; and he was not a little astonished.

"I should judge that it was," added the captain.

His companion was not communicative; and Deck said no more, for ten
minutes would explain the mystery that bothered him. In less time than
he thought he obtained a view of the ground near the ferry; and the
first thing that confronted him was a battery of four guns. In the
field were plainly to be seen two companies of cavalry, dressed in
United States uniform; but they were not the Riverlawn Squadron.

"That is not our battalion, Captain Woodbine," said he, amazed at the
appearance of this strange force.

"It certainly is not," answered the staff-officer.

"Two more companies of cavalry comin' down de road, Mars'r," Cuffy
volunteered to inform them.

"Those must be the Riverlawns, as you call them, Lieutenant."

The two companies of cavalry near the river and the battery were taking
their rations from their haversacks, and Captain Woodbine did not
disturb them. By this time Major Lyon's command had halted in the road,
the head of the column near Cuffy's house. A trooper, running his
horse, was approaching; and Deck saw that it was his brother Artie, who
rode up to the staff-officer, saluted him, and reported the arrival of
the squadron by order of his father.

As soon as he had delivered his message, he grasped the hand of the
lieutenant; for they had not yet come together in the hurry of the
events of the afternoon. The meeting was such as two loving brothers
could not help making it. Artie congratulated Deck on his esca