, as he had already earned a good character
for civility with the interesting family in whose presence he still
stood, his bump of approbation would not permit him to forfeit their
esteem by so inconsiderate a reply.

"Good-by, all!" said he with energy, turning away from the rebel soldier,
and moving towards the door.

"What regiment did you say you belonged to?" demanded the persistent
rebel.

"I didn't say," replied Somers, not in the most gentle tones.

"Will you oblige me by telling me to what regiment you belong?" added the
rebel.

"I think I will not," continued Somers, more and more displeased with the
persistence of the other. "I came very near being arrested as a deserter
just now, though I have a pass in my pocket; and I don't care about
exposing myself to any further annoyance by my own indiscretion."

"I assure you I am a friend, and I would not betray you if I knew you
were a deserter," said the stranger in very civil tones.

Thus appealed to, and perceiving that he was not gaining in the
estimation of Mr. Raynes by his reticence, he decided that he could not
make the matter much worse by answering the question.

"To the Fourth Alabama," he replied desperately; "but you must excuse me;
for I am in a tremendous hurry."

"The Fourth Alabama! I thought so," exclaimed the stranger with a
pleasant smile, as though the information was particularly agreeable to
him. "I belong to the Fourth Alabama myself."

"Do you, indeed?" added Somers with the most intense disquiet, wishing
all the time that the soldier had been in Alabama, or anywhere but in the
house of Mr. Raynes.

"Can you tell me where the regiment is?"

"I cannot. I have been looking for it myself for the last two hours. As I
can be of no assistance to you, you will excuse me if I leave you."

"Not so fast, comrade; I will go with you. I have some directions which I
think will enable us to find the regiment; and, if you please, I will
bear you company."

Somers did not please; but he could hardly refuse the offer without
exciting the suspicion of the family, which he felt might be fatal to
him. It would be better to depart with the member of the Fourth Alabama,
and part company with him by force of stratagem when they had left the
house.

"I won't keep you waiting but a minute. I called here to see my friends;
but none of them seem to know me. You are Mr. Raynes, I presume?"
continued the soldier, addressing the old man.

"I am; but