eory, Mrs.
Raynes had spread her table, and placed upon it such food as was
available for a hasty lunch. She insisted that he should partake; and,
while he enjoyed the welcome refreshment, Mr. Raynes told him everything
about the movements of the Confederate army in the vicinity, with full
particulars of the battle of the preceding day. While the scout was thus
answering the ends of his mission, he was in no hurry to depart.

General McClellan's "change of base" was not suspected by the rebels at
this time. It was their purpose to flank the Union army on the right and
left, and destroy it effectually. The dispositions had been made for this
purpose; and, as Mr. Raynes was a man of influence and intelligence, his
information was as reliable as could be deduced from the preliminary
movements of the rebel army. He was confident of success. The execution
of the plan had already been commenced, and the right of the Union line
was in the act of falling back.

He expatiated upon the perils of the campaign, and the terrible fighting
which was to be expected; and manifested the utmost solicitude for the
safety of his son, and hardly less for his guest.

Somers prolonged his repast, that the old man might leave nothing unsaid
that would be important for the Union generals to know. Sue occasionally
joined in the conversation; but she was quite serious now, as she
contemplated the perils to which her brother and her friend from Alabama
must be subjected.

"Do you know where General Jackson is now?" asked Somers.

"I don't know exactly where he is; but I know what part he has to play in
the great drama. The last we heard of him was, that he was watching
McDowell, near Fredericksburg. If McDowell keeps quiet, Jackson will rush
down on the left flank of the Yankees, and cut off their retreat."

"Are you sure?"

"I am very sure. I can tell you why."

Before he had time to tell him why, a knock at the door disturbed the
conference; and a young man, in a tattered rebel uniform, was ushered
into the room.

CHAPTER XII

THE DIGNIFIED YOUNG REBEL

Lieutenant Somers, who had been very nervous and uneasy before, was
exceedingly annoyed by the appearance of another actor on the stage. He
had become in some slight degree familiarized with the awkwardness of his
situation; for the fact, that no suspicion had yet been cast upon his
identity, was encouraging, and he began to have some confidence in his
position, open as it wa