xhausted by fatigue and the want of rest, he did not wake for many
hours. He came to his senses with a start, and jumped upon his feet. For a
moment, he could not think where he was; but then came the recollection
that he was in the country of his enemies--a wanderer and a fugitive.

He looked about him in search of his travelling companion; but the fact
that he could not see him in the night was no argument that he was not
near him. He supposed Joe had chosen a place to sleep in the vicinity, and
thinking he might not wake in season to pass through the Gap before
daylight, he commenced a search for him. He beat about the place for half
an hour, calling his companion by name; but he could not see him, and no
sound responded to the call but the echoes of his own voice.

The independent Virginia farmer had anticipated Tom's intention to part
company with him, and, by this time, perhaps, had passed through the Gap.
The soldier boy was not quite ready to dispense with the services of his
guide, inasmuch as he did not even know where the Gap was, or in what
direction he must travel to reach it. While he was debating his prospects,
an enterprising rooster, in the distance, sounded his morning call. This
assured him that he must be near some travelled road, and, taking the
direction from the fowl, he resumed his journey.

A short walk brought him out of the woods, and, in the gray light of the
dawn, he discovered a house. As he did not care to make any new
acquaintances, he avoided the house, and continued his travels till he
arrived at a road. As it was too early in the morning for people to be
stirring, he ventured to follow the highway, and soon perceived an opening
in the mountains, which he doubted not was the Gap.

At sunrise he arrived at another house, which suddenly came into view as
he rounded a bend in the road. Near it were several negroes engaged in
various occupations. As he passed the house, the negroes all suspended
operations, and stared at him till he was out of sight. He soon reached
the Gap; but he had advanced only a short distance before he discovered a
battery of light artillery stationed on a kind of bluff, and whose guns
commanded the approaches in every direction.

Deeming it prudent to reconnoitre before he proceeded any farther, he also
ascertained that the Gap was picketed by rebel infantry. Of course it was
impossible to pass through under these circumstances, and he again took to
the woods. Th