igations at this interesting point, and they pursued their way still
farther into the country. Somehow or other, Tom and his party did not
receive the order to return, and the enterprising young hero continued his
march in search of further adventures. It was altogether too tame for him
and the congenial spirits in his section to retire without seeing a live
rebel or two; and I am not sure, if their desire had not been gratified,
that they would not have penetrated to Fredericksburg, and captured that
citadel of rebellion in advance to General Augur, who visited the place in
April.

As it was, they stumbled upon the pickets of a rebel force, and as soon as
their uniform was identified they had the honor of being fired upon,
though none of them had the honor of being killed in the midst of their
virtual disobedience of orders. But their appearance created a panic among
the Confederates, who had no means of knowing that they were not the
pioneers of a whole division of Union troops, for General McClellan had
removed the spell which bound the loyal army to its camps, and corps,
divisions, and brigades were pushing forward into the dominion of the
traitors.

The alarm was given, and Tom saw that he was rushing into a bad scrape;
and as prudence is as much a requisite of the good soldier as bravery, he
ordered his men to fall back. Rebels are very much like ill-natured curs,
ever ready to pursue a retreating foe, or run away from an advancing one.
The Confederates chased them, and as the legs of the former seemed to be
in remarkably good condition, the sergeant came to the conclusion that it
would not be safe to run too fast.

"Halt!" shouted he; and the men promptly obeyed the order.

They discharged their muskets, and then made a demonstration towards the
enemy, who, obeying their instinct, ran away as fast as their legs would
carry them. Taking advantage of this movement on their part, Tom again
ordered a retreat.

"They are after us again," said Hapgood. "I hope there ain't no cavalry
within hearing. If there is, we may take a journey to Richmond."

"They have stopped to load their guns," replied Tom. "We will use our legs
now."

"See that, Tom!" said Hapgood, suddenly.

"What?"

"There's one of them rushing towards us all alone."

"He has thrown up his gun. The others are yelling to him to come back.
What does that mean?"

"He is a deserter; he wants to get away from them. There he comes."

"Yes, and ther