ch the farmer was not
disposed to sell.

"What have you there?" demanded the officer, as the sentinel brought in
the doubtful case.

"Man with a pass."

"Your pass is good up to the Williamsburg road, and no farther," said the
sergeant when he had read the document.

"I didn't know where the lines were," replied Somers, returning the pass
to his pocket.

"Where are you going?" asked the officer, apparently not satisfied with
the appearance of the "man with a pass."

"Looking for my regiment, sir," replied Somers, giving the military
salute; which excess of politeness, however, was lost on the
matter-of-fact captain.

"What regiment?"

"The Fourth Alabama."

"The Fourth Alabama! What are you doing over here, then?"

"I am a stranger in these parts; and I don't know where to look. I have
just escaped from the Yankees, and don't know much about this part of the
country."

"What is your name?"

"Allan Garland, sir."

"What!" exclaimed the old farmer, suddenly becoming interested in the
conversation.

"In my opinion, you are a deserter," added the officer in a crabbed tone.
"I advise you to arrest him, sergeant. That pass is good for nothing on
this road."

"No, captain, he is not a deserter," interposed the farmer with energy.
"I know him well; and he is as true and patriotic a young man as there is
in the Southern Confederacy."

Somers looked at the farmer with astonishment. He did not remember to
have seen him before; and he could not account for the interest he
manifested in his case.

"What do you know of him, Mr. Raynes?"

Mr. Raynes! That explained the matter; and Somers could not help
shuddering in the presence of the man whose son he had buried in the soft
mud of the bog.

"He is my son's friend," replied the farmer. "Both of them belong to the
Fourth Alabama."

"That may be, Mr. Raynes; but do you suppose a man looking for the Fourth
Alabama would be wandering about here?"

"He is a stranger in Virginia. He came on from Alabama only a few weeks
since, and was captured while out on a scouting expedition. I assure you,
captain, it is all right; I will vouch for him."

"Very well, Mr. Raynes! If the sergeant is willing to take your word for
it, I have nothing further to say. Indeed, it is no business of mine; but
our soldiers are allowed to walk over to the enemy, or back into the
woods, without let or hindrance. It's a disgrace to the service. Major
Platner gives this man a pass to go