m looked out in search
of the occupants of the house. In the garden he discovered the whole
family, consisting of a man and his wife, a girl of twelve, and a boy of
ten. The man was digging in the garden, and the rest of the troupe seemed
to be superintending the operation. The head of the family was altogether
the most interesting person to Tom, for he must either shake hands or
fight with him. He did not look like a giant in intellect, and he
certainly was not a giant in stature. With the bayonet still in his belt,
Tom was not afraid of him.

"How are you, people?" said Tom, as he walked towards the family, who with
one accord suspended all operations, and gave their whole attention to the
stranger.

"How are ye, yourself?" replied the man, rather gruffly.

"Do you keep a hotel?" demanded Tom, who concealed the anxiety of his
heart under a broad grin.

"I reckon I don't. What do you want here?"

"I want something to eat," replied Tom, proceeding to business with
commendable straight-forwardness.

"We hain't got nothin' here," said the man, sourly. "That ain't what ye
come fur, nuther."

"Must have something to eat. I'm not very particular, but I must have
something."

"You can't hev it 'bout yere, no how. That ain't what ye come fur,
nuther."

"If you know what I came for better than I do, suppose you tell me what it
is," added Tom, who was a little mystified by the manner of the man.

"You air one of them soger fellers, and you want me to 'list; but I tell
yer, ye can't do nothin' of the sort. I'll be dog derned if I'll go."

"I don't want you to go," protested Tom. "I'm half starved and all I want
is something to eat."

"Yer don't reelly mean so."

"Yes, I do."

"Where d'yer come from?"

"From down below here. Have you seen any soldiers pass through this
place?"

"I reckon I hev; but they hain't seen me; and I reckon they won't see me
very soon;" and the man chuckled at his own cleverness in keeping clear of
recruiting officers.

"I don't want you, and if you will give me something to eat, you will get
rid of me very quick."

"Betsey, you kin feed the feller, if yer like, and I'll go over and see
whar the hogs is."

The man dropped his shovel, and began to move off towards the woods,
probably to see whether Tom would attempt to detain him. At the same time
"Betsey" led the way into the house, and the visitor paid no further
attention to the master.

"We hain't got much to eat in the hous