came in a third voice. "And I don't believe
there has been a single Yankee around."

"I trust not, Peters. But we are not out of the woods yet--in more ways
than one. The raft may be gone, and fording this stream in such a flood
as this is entirely out of the question."

"Oh, we could get over alone, Leftenant," answered the man named Bolder.
"But that wouldn't be getting over those cases of ammunition and that
field-pi--"

"Hush," came in a warning from the lieutenant. "You don't know but what
some of those hanged Yankees may be around here."

"That's true, though I didn't see any of 'em as we came along."

"Perhaps, Bolder, you had better make a circuit of the woods before we
get to work," said the lieutenant, a moment later. "We don't want to be
surprised at our task."

"As you say, Leftenant; Tom Bolder is here to obey Leftenant Blackrook
every time."

"Then go at once, and if you see anything alarming, give the whistle
before agreed upon," rejoined Lieutenant Blackrook, as he and Peters
moved into the grove of trees.

In a moment more Bolder had started off, gun on his shoulder. His course
was almost directly toward a clump of bushes behind which Deck and Life
had sought shelter, and from which spot they had overheard all that had
been said.

CHAPTER X

A TRIP ON A RAFT

The talk of the three Confederates had filled the young major with
interest. Evidently they had belonged to the troops just defeated, and
they were now on their way to escape to the south of Rutherford Creek,
as the main body on the retreat had gone.

But this was not all. A raft had been mentioned, also some cases of
ammunition, and something had been spoken of that sounded as if it might
have been meant for a field-piece. This looked as if the three
Confederates intended to transfer some army property as well as
themselves to a safer locality for men and goods.

It was too dark for either Deck or Life to make out the uniforms of the
enemies, but they were inclined to believe that they belonged to some
Southern battery which Wheeler had brought along, but which the
Confederate commander had been unable to bring into use. It instantly
crossed Deck's mind that it would be a big thing to bag the men, and
even a bigger thing to seize the ammunition and the field-piece.

But now a difficulty arose--a difficulty which must be met and settled
on the spot. One of the Confederates was coming toward them. What was to
be done with