not to be sent there, if human
energy and perseverance could save him from such a fate. It was easier to
avoid such a trap than it would be to get out of it after he had fallen
into it. As he walked along with the talkative sergeant, he kept his eyes
open, ready to avail himself of any opportunity which might afford him a
reasonable prospect of shaking off his disagreeable companion.

His captor asked him a great many questions in regard to himself, and to
the Army of the Potomac on the other side of the river, which Somers
answered with skill and discretion; though we suppose that even a rigid
moralist would have excused some slight variations from the strict letter
of the truth which crept into his replies. He was an officer in the
Yankee army; but he dared not acknowledge his rank, lest he should be
accused of being a spy. If he was a captain, he ought to have worn the
uniform of his rank in order to have it recognized. As he was a private,
his chance of spending the summer on Belle Isle was better than that for
Libby. But, as Somers was fully resolved not to go to Richmond in advance
of the noble army whose fortunes and misfortunes he had shared, he did
not deem it necessary to consider what quarters he should occupy.

The sergeant was a faithful soldier. Somers found no opportunity to slip
away from his guard on the way to the camp. He was duly delivered to the
officer of the day, and his intimacy with his good-natured captor was at
an end. The officer who was responsible for him made some inquiries in
regard to the prisoner, and learned that he had escaped from the troopers
in the morning. When he understood the case, as it was only eight miles
to the railroad station, where the other prisoner was probably waiting a
conveyance in the camp, he decided to send Somers forward at once,
fearful that he might again take leave of his captors. From what he had
heard from Captain Osborn and the cavalry soldiers in charge of him, he
concluded that the young man was a person of more consequence than he
appeared to be--that he was either high in rank, or guilty of enormous
military misdemeanors.

A two-horse wagon used for general business about the camp was brought
up, and Somers was sent forward in charge of two soldiers, who were
especially ordered to shoot him if he attempted to escape; which they
would probably have done of their own free will and accord, without any
orders. The captive looked in vain for an opportunit