Major Dexter Lyon realized that he had been played false by the so-styled guide, and that his two battalions were in a dangerous situation. The eight companies of horsemen were in the centre of a small plain. In a semicircle in front was a low and treacherous quicksand, impossible of passage; in a semicircle to the rear was a rocky elevation, divided in half by the defile through which the cavalry had just passed. On the rocky elevation, on both sides of the defile, Confederate cavalry had been discovered, ready to pour in a hot fire on them the moment they attempted to turn back on their trail. "Major, it looks as if our goose was cooked," remarked Tom Belthorpe, after the reports from the front and the rear had been considered. "They couldn't have laid a neater trap for us." "And I allowed myself to walk into it blindfolded," answered Deck, somewhat bitterly. "The rebels kept mighty shady when we came through the defile," put in Captain Abbey, who was also at hand. "I wonder why they didn't open on us then and there?" "That is an easy question to answer, Captain," said Deck. "If they had opened up, our command could have retreated; now they have every one of us just about where they want us." "But you won't surrender without a fight, will you?" demanded Kate Belthorpe's brother, anxiously. "I have never yet done any surrendering, Tom. I want to know just how bad--What is it, Captain?" "A flag of truce," answered Captain Life Knox, as he dashed up. "A private is carrying it, and there is a Confederate captain of cavalry with him." "Indeed! They evidently want to rush things. Come with me, and we'll see what they want." Side by side Deck and Life rode off, the way being to the lower edge of the rocky elevation. Here the Confederates had come to a halt in the midst of some underbrush. "I am Captain Adairs, Mississippi Volunteer Cavalry," said the Confederate officer, with a salute, which the others promptly returned. "Who is in command of those Union troops?" "I am in command," answered Deck. "Major Dexter Lyon," put in Life, introducing him. "Well, Major Lyon, I reckon you know we have you in a pretty tight box," went on the Confederate captain, with a smile. "Is that so?" returned Deck, as though the thought was brand-new to him. "We have. Ahead is nothing but swamp and quicksand, and back here my command hold the defile and the entire elevation." "You must have your company pretty well spread out," remarked Deck. "I have more than one company with me--fully enough men to hold the spot. So you see you are entirely cut off." "Cut off from where?" "The outside world, so to speak," was the Confederate's impatient answer. "If we are, that's rather bad for us, Captain," and now Deck began to smile. "It is. The question is, are you willing to surrender?" demanded Captain Adairs. "To whom?" "Why, to me, of course." "Great Caesar, Captain, what for?"