There's a rebel regiment forming behind us." "Can't help it," said Tom, as he rushed forward, with the veteran by his side.

"Give it to them!" Tom and his men threw themselves upon the rebel squad, and a sharp fight ensued, in which the parties fought with bayonets, clubbed muskets, and even with the death grip upon each other's throats.

The traitors could not stand it, and fled again.
The sergeant glanced behind him, and saw the rebel regiment formed ready to charge upon his own.

He was cut off from his friends, with the enemy on his front and rear.

Three of his men had fallen in the sharp encounter with the rebels, and most of them were wounded or bruised, and all of them out of breath.