y peaks touched the sky in front of him. But
with the feeling that every step he advanced placed a wider space between
him and his captors at Sudley church, he continued on his way till the
gray streaks of daylight appeared behind him.

This phenomenon promised to afford him a gleam of intelligence upon which
to found a correct solution of his course. Tom knew that, in the ordinary
course of events, the sun ought to rise in the east and set in the west.
If he was going to the north, the sun would rise on his right hand--if to
the south, on his left hand. The streaks of light grew more and more
distinct, and the clouds having rolled away, he satisfied himself where
the sun would appear. Contrary to both wings of his theory, the place was
neither on his right nor his left, for it was exactly behind him. But his
position might be upon a bend of the railroad whose direction did not
correspond with the general course of the road. For half an hour longer,
therefore, he pursued his way, carefully noting every curve, until he was
fully convinced that his course was nearer west than north. The sun rose
precisely as had been laid down in the programme, and precisely where he
expected it would rise.

It was clear enough that he was not moving to the south; and, satisfied
that he was in no danger of stumbling upon Richmond, his courage
increased, and he plodded on till he discovered a small village--or what
would be called such in Virginia--though it contained only a few houses.
As he still wore the uniform of the United States army, he did not deem it
prudent to pass through this village; besides, he was terribly perplexed
to know what station it could be, and what had become of Fairfax. Though
he must have passed through the country before, it did not look natural to
him.

Leaving the railroad, he took to the fields, intending to pass round the
village, or conceal himself in the woods till he could go through it in
safety. After walking diligently for so many hours, Tom was reminded that
he had a stomach. His rations on the preceding day had not been very
bountiful, and he was positively hungry. The organ which had reminded him
of its existence was beginning to be imperative in its demands, and a new
problem was presented for solution--one which had not before received the
attention which it deserved.

In the fields and forest he found a few berries; but all he could find
made but a slight impression upon the neglected organ.