"Do you see anything of him?" whispered Artie, as they came to a halt beside a large, square rock overhanging the cove. "No; but he can't be far off," answered Deck. "He came down here, I am almost positive." They stood perfectly still, looking to the right and the left, and then behind them. Far away boomed the cannons, and the rattle of smaller arms was incessant; but here all was as quiet as a graveyard. "He's a sly one," went on Artie, after a long pause. "He believes in playing a waiting game. He's a spy beyond a doubt." "I think you had better make a short detour around the cove," said Deck. "I will watch from this point, to see that he doesn't enter the water and swim away on the sly. Are you willing to undertake it, Artie?" "Certainly, if you think it best," answered the captain, and started off without delay. He was soon out of sight, and Deck sat down on the rock, pistol in hand, to await developments. For a few minutes he sat facing the water, then he swung around, to ascertain, if possible, what progress his brother was making. As he turned around, a form appeared from the water under the big rock. The form straightened up, and a long arm was thrust forth, directly at Deck's side. The hand grasped the major's pistol, and in an instant it was snatched from Deck's grasp. CHAPTER XXIX MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush. He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers. It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily. Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast. "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command. "I imagine I am master of the situation." "Who are you?" asked Deck, as calmly as he could, at the same time revolving in his mind the chances of turning the tables in his favor. "I am only asking questions, not answering them," replied the man in black, and Deck now noted that his cleanly shaven face was a truly intelligent one. "Can you see that other fellow?" "No." "Then step into the water." "Into the water?" queried Deck, in perplexity. "Yes, and do not make any noise if you value your life, Major." There was no help for it, and the major stepped from the brushwood into the stream. He was up to his knees. "Come a little closer, but not too close," went on the man in black. "Can you swim?" "Why do you ask that question?" "I told you before, Major, that I was simply asking questions, not answering them," said the Confederate spy, for such the fellow really was. "I repeat, can you swim?" "A little."