and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; b

very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode u

and now we are ready to retur

and there is nothing t

e road, and there seems to be half-a-dozen

sergeant near him, and directed him to take ten men and perform this duty. "

ge for the major, C

of all sorts and kinds, and most of them good for nothing. We have eight men wounded, two of them badly, and the rest slightly. Sergeant Langfor

ask of the morning had been accomplished; for the action had lasted hardly more than a quarter of an hour. Lieutenant Blenks was compelling the Guard

es," said Langford to the boys, af

ely done," replied Deck. "I think these

ad and wounded, and wanted our boys to do it for them; but a few slaps with the flat of the sabres

ut he said nothing about the Texan Rangers, for he did not feel

d happened at the bridge; but when the sergeant's squad approached them, they brough

Langford to his men; and th

ore sense than the others, and had interposed to prevent a useless sacrifice

ed Langford. "Start you

ain't no use over there

ed Langford, as he slapped the last speaker with

n round and go back where we come fro

. "Your wagons are wanted over at the b

res. The guardsmen were disposed to resist; but they were vigorously pushed forward, a

rd suggested," said Deck, as he and Artie rode forward. "They

oy the bridge, all they have to do is to go back where they came from

the plantation. The first company was not where they had left it in the early morning; b

l?" asked Deck, when they ca

ok for you," replied the soldier. "Major Lyo

ve you seen any of th

path it will bring you to the house

ere greeted in the yard by the planter and his family, and the ladies poured forth their gratitude to Deck for

yon?" he asked, l

of the house," rep

ou!" shouted the major f

r. Barkland showed them the way to a platform on the roof of the mansion, from which a full v

?" asked the major, as they p

d, with half-a-dozen men in charge of it, so that

at the bridge?" asked

the whole company of Home Guards are prisoners,"

gh I expected no other r

eight killed and fifteen wounded, some of them fatally," replied Deck, who had studied over t

ble affair. The major listened with deep interest to all the particulars. Doubtless he was pleased with the report of the result; but he frequently raised t

of them, and fully informed himself in regard to the situation a

ient force on the ground to guard the prisoners, to dispose of the dead and wounded, a

he recruiting officer sent by the commanding general of the department to organize the first company, and the major had used all his influence to elect him to the office he filled himself. He had declin

ll," said Captain Gordon, as he saluted his super

d company as can be spared," replied Major Lyon. "They have b

of the enemy to the south of us

is in readiness, I suppos

d the men are i

Rangers will take the other road

Gordon. "Can it be possible that the commander of the Rangers has obtained in

many in command could be so neglectful of al

ort to us the passage of any force by the east road, as they call it here," continued the captain. "The Texans are

vered their message. He had already reduced everything to a condition of order. The wounded had been removed to a deserted shanty, probably used by the railroad work

y men from the second platoon were added to their number. But Deck and Artie did not wait for this body to move, but started at once on their return; for they were anxious

tie, as they reach

asked Deck, who was

le of mounted men wearing the gr

they?" a

o a blind man after he has stumbled over it, tha

our head is level, Artie, and they are a couple of scout

xans tumbled f

unslung their carbines; and, without considering what consequences might ensue, both of them fired, Artie delivering the first shot. One of the Texans tumbled fro

Deck, as he hel

led his horse as soon as he had done so