mination during the former interview, when the
trio came to a line of sentinels guarding a brigade camp.

"What regiment do you belong to?" demanded the guard.

"Fourth Alabama," replied Owen.

"You can't pass this line, then."

"But I have a pass," interposed Somers.

"Show your pass."

Somers showed the important document, which the sentinel, after a patient
study, succeeded in deciphering.

"Your pass is right--pass on; but you can't go through," he added to Owen
and Allan.

Owen explained.

CHAPTER XIV

THE REBEL DIVISION GENERAL

The sentinel listened very patiently to the explanation of Owen Raynes;
but, as he proceeded, the face of the soldier relaxed till his muscles
had contracted into a broad grin. The sergeant of the guard was then sent
for, and the explanation repeated. At its conclusion, both the sentinel
and the sergeant seemed to be disposed to laugh in the faces of the twin
friends, so keenly were the former alive to the ludicrous.

"That's a very pretty story, my men! You, without the pass, are going to
see that everything is right about the man that has the pass; in other
words, the devils are going to see that the angels don't do anything
wicked," said the sergeant, laughing at the awkward position of Owen and
Allan, and perhaps quite as much at the sharpness of his own
illustration.

"We are entirely satisfied in regard to this young man," said Owen; "but
we have come in order to satisfy another person, who believes that he is
an impostor. We promised to take him to Major Platner."

"You can't enter these lines without a pass," replied the sergeant
firmly. "This man can go through; for he has a pass," he added to Somers.

"As I am all right, and in a hurry, I will proceed to the brigade
headquarters," said Somers. "Now, good-by, my friends; I am very glad to
have met you, and much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken to
come so far with me."

"You take it coolly," laughed Owen.

"Perhaps, if you desire to go to the brigade headquarters, the sergeant
will let you pass, if I will vouch for you," continued Somers with great
good humor.

"We are not very particular."

"What do you say, sergeant?"

"My orders are to permit no stragglers from other camps to pass these
lines, and I shall obey my orders to the letter," replied the official,
who, for some reason or other, seemed to be prejudiced against Somers's
friends.

"Stragglers!" exclaimed the sensitive Alla