he even ventured to take a
look at his enemies below. To his intense satisfaction, he saw them mount
their horses: and he was not much disturbed by the unamiable reflections
which they cast upon him.

Captain de Banyan was with them; thus proving in the most conclusive
manner that the gentleman in the chimney was not this distinguished
individual. Having lost one prisoner, they were particularly cautious in
regard to the disposition of the other. The captain marched off in gloomy
dignity, with two cavalrymen before and two behind him. Somers caught a
glance at his face as he turned the corner into the road. It was sad
beyond anything which he had ever observed in his countenance before, and
a momentary twinge of conscience upbraided him for deserting a comrade in
such an hour; he might have waited till both of them could escape
together. But the captain's record in the Third Tennessee assured him
that he had only done his duty; though he hoped his brilliant friend
would be able, if an opportunity was ever presented, to remove the stain
which now rested on his name and fame.

With a feeling of intense relief, however much he commiserated the
misfortunes of his comrade, Somers saw the little procession move up the
road which led to Richmond and a rebel dungeon. They disappeared; and
while he was considering in what manner he should make his way down to
the creek, where he hoped to find a boat in which to leave this
treacherous soil, he heard a voice beneath him, and farther down than the
locality of the deserter.

"Yer kin come down now, Tom," said the farmer.

Though the name was his own, the invitation was evidently not intended
for him; and he remained quietly on his perch, waiting for further
developments.

"Hev they all gone, dad?" asked the deserter.

"Yes; all gone. Yer kin come down now."

The renegade, then, was the son of the farmer; which accounted for the
unwillingness of the latter to have the house searched by the soldiers;
and, though Somers had a general contempt for deserters, he felt his
indebtedness to this interesting family for the service they had
unwittingly endeavored to render him.

Tom--Somers wanted to have his name changed then--Tom descended from his
position in the chimney. It was an easy matter; for the kitchen was at
the other end of the house, and there had been no fire on this hearth for
many a month.

"Dad," said this graceless son of a graceless sire.

"Go and wash yer fac