Never heard of such places. Don't know much about geography," answered
the captain.

Somers was confounded when the officer repeated these words, which was
proof positive that he was the man whom the captain represented him to
be.

"Sergeant, dismount, and tell me if you find B. M. on that man's right
arm."

The sergeant obeyed, and, with the assistance of another, bared the
captain's arm, where they found, plainly marked in India ink, the
initials B. M.

CHAPTER XXI

THE THIRD TENNESSEE

Probably there was no one in either party who was so thoroughly
bewildered by the incident which had just transpired as Captain Somers.
The mystery of his companion's antecedents was in a fair way to be
cleared up, though in a very unsatisfactory manner to those most
intimately concerned. The conversation, and the verification of the rebel
officer's statements, showed that De Banyan was not De Banyan; that the
brave and brilliant Federal officer was not a Federal officer; that, of
all he had been, only the "brave" and "brilliant" remained.

It was painfully evident that the bold and dashing captain was, or had
been, a rebel officer. Somers was terribly shocked at the discovery, even
while it was a satisfaction to have the mystery of his companion's
previous life explained. For the time, he forgot the perils of his own
situation in the interest he felt in the affairs of his friend. Perhaps
De Banyan was a spy, who had been serving in the Union army for the
purpose of conveying information to the enemy. He had been very glad of
the opportunity to cross the river; and it seemed probable to our hero
that he wished to return to his friends. It is true, the efficient
services of the captain in the Army of the Potomac, his readiness at all
times to fight the rebels, and especially his shooting down the enemy's
pickets in the swamp, were not exactly consistent with such a record; but
perhaps he had done these things to keep up appearances, and thus enable
him the better to promote the objects of the rebellion.

He was anxious to hear the captain's explanation of these gross charges;
but, of course, that was utterly impracticable at present. In the
meantime, there was no room to doubt that the cavalry officer had all the
truth on his side. He had hinted very strongly that De Banyan was a
deserter; but he might have deserted for the purpose of performing the
special duty which had been assigned to him. Officers and soldiers, se