“I’m in for it,” he murmured, dismally. “I took the wrong road, or else that negro led me astray purposely. How in the world am I to get out?” It would not do to remain long in one spot--he was sinking deeper and deeper in that ooze, which stuck like so much glue. He staggered forward until a low-branched tree was reached, and into this he climbed to rest. From afar now came the sounds of battle, as the Confederate General A. P. Hill sent his corps to the attack, with Longstreet following. How bravely the small division of Porter’s troops resisted, history has told, and it has also told how the Union troops were finally forced back and two of their best regiments were taken prisoners. But Louis thought of none of these things, as slowly and painfully he climbed to the top of the tree. The survey from this spot was disappointing. He was in a hollow and on every side the distant woods cut off a further view. Yet he managed to locate the sounds of battle, and that was one point gained. By the time he descended to the lower branches of the tree it was dark. To think of going on was out of the question. He got down for a drink, then returned to the tree limbs, to pass an almost sleepless night among the birds and frogs. Daybreak found him hungry and cold. He now felt he must go on or face starvation. He had noted the location of the nearest high ground, and struck out for this, leaping from one tuft of swamp grass to another, as best he could. The bushes scratched his hands and face and tore his clothing, but to this he paid no attention. He progressed until nearly noon, when he reached firm ground and a well-defined trail, and threw himself down to rest. He was between his own line and that of the enemy, he felt tolerably certain of that. But how should he move to join the Union army? The trail might lead him directly into the Confederate camp. “I don’t care--I’ll risk it,” he muttered at last. “I can keep my eyes open and I guess I can run as fast as any of them if it comes to the pinch.” Yet his progress along the trail was slow, for fallen trees were numerous, and once he encountered a nest of snakes, just emerging after an unusually long winter’s nap. His scramble to get away from the reptiles was lively enough, for he imagined the snakes poisonous. Nightfall brought him out upon a highway leading southward. The ground was cut up by many wheels, showing that artillery had passed that way but a short while before. Presently he came up to three soldiers wearing Union uniforms. “Hello there, comrades!” he shouted, joyfully. “I’m lost. Can’t some of you find me?” “We’re lost, too,” was the reply from the evident leader of the trio. The three men belonged to a New Jersey command which had been captured. They had had a tough struggle and each was wounded, although not seriously. With this trio Louis proceeded upon his way feeling much lighter at heart.