As Andy had said, the sounds of firing came from the left. Running along the ridge trail, Louis kept on until he reckoned he was about midway between the two lines of shots, although still to the right of the scene of the contest. He then slowed up and proceeded through the bushes with great caution, his pistol cocked and ready for instant use. Less than a hundred and fifty feet had been covered in this fashion, when he reached another clearing which marked, east and west, the picket lines of the two armies. The firing was now close at hand, and presently, from the cover of the woods, came scampering a company of boys in blue closely followed by twice their number of boys in gray. The former were reloading their guns as they came on, the Confederates opening fire meanwhile and causing several to drop in their tracks. Throwing away his gray cap, Louis darted into the clearing and joined the flying Union men. As he went on he picked up a gun one of the wounded soldiers had cast away. “Union or reb?” came the question, as the company halted behind some bushes. “Union, captain,” was the prompt answer. “I’ve been a rebel prisoner.” There was no time to say more, for the company was now ordered to about face, and the advancing Confederates received a reception which caused a hasty retreat; and the skirmish was over. During the siege such skirmishes were of almost daily occurrence. The picket lines were re-established, the dead and wounded cared for, and that was the end of the matter, save for the great “blowing” done afterwards upon both sides. The excitement over, Louis was conducted to the rear, where he had to give a strict account of himself to the general in charge of the regiment stationed in the woods. This was done in order to ascertain beyond all doubt that he was not a Confederate spy. He was informed where his own regiment was located, nearly a mile away, and a corporal was detailed to conduct him hither and learn if his story was a true one. “Louis! We had given you up for lost!” cried Harry Bingham, when he appeared, and the youth was soon surrounded by friends. He lost no time in reporting to his commander. When Captain Paulding learned that he had really been in Richmond and had had a chance of overlooking the fortifications there with a field glass, he sent word to headquarters to that effect. The next day came an important order for Louis. It was from General McClellan, to the effect that he should present himself at the headquarters of the commander-in-chief without delay. CHAPTER XXIX LOUIS VISITS GENERAL MCCLELLAN Louis’s heart gave a bound. He was to visit the great commander-in-chief of the Army of the Potomac! He had seen General McClellan before, of course, for the general was very popular with his men and loved to roam about among them, but he had never had the chance of speaking with so distinguished an officer.