of the unfortunate lieutenant, who was
just then picturing to himself the interior of a rebel dungeon; which
view suddenly dissolved into an indistinct representation of a tree, from
a stout limb of which was suspended a rope, hanging down over a
cart--these latter appurtenances being symbolical of the usual rebel
method of hanging a spy.

The affair, which had been growing desperate for some time, had now
actually become so to poor Somers. He placed his hand upon his revolver,
in the breast-pocket of his coat; but some prudential considerations
interposed to prevent him from using it. The house was on a line of rebel
sentinels. Whole divisions of Confederate infantry, artillery and
cavalry, were encamped around him, and any violent movement on his part
would have been sure to result in an ignominious disaster. The doughty
old farmer, who was not less than six feet three in his stockinged feet,
held on to him as a drowning man clings to a floating spar. It was not
possible to get away without resorting to violence; and if he offered any
resistance to what, just then, looked like manifest destiny, the rebel
soldier would become an ally of the farmer, and the women could call in
the sentinels, if nothing more.

"Really, Mr. Raynes, you are very unkind to detain me, when I tell you
that my leave has nearly expired," said Somers, when he had fully
measured the situation; which, however, was done in a tithe of the time
which we have taken to transcribe it.

"Young man, there is some _mistake_," said Mr. Raynes, placing a wicked
emphasis on the word, which went to the very core of the scout's heart.
"This man says he is Allan Garland, and you say you are Allan Garland.
One of you is an impostor. Neither of you shall go till we determine
which is the one. Sue, bring out your photograph again."

"Oh, dear!" gasped Somers, as in a fit of momentary despondency, he gave
himself up for lost, when the maiden went for the picture.

CHAPTER XIII

AN UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL

Miss Sue hastened to procure the photograph, which she had placed in her
mother's room after it had been fully discussed by herself and the
supposed original. At the same time, her father conducted Somers into the
room again; and, being fully conscious of his desire to get away, he kept
a watchful eye upon him, though he removed his grasp from the arm. The
rebel soldier looked on in utter amazement at the singular proceedings of
all the party, and seeme