There was a window in the rear of the room, which commanded a full view of them as they paused near the door to consider the situation. Somers raised the sash a little, so that he could hear what they said, not doubting that his own case would be the subject of the conversation. "Don't you do it, dad," protested Tom in answer to some proposition which the farmer had made before the listener came within hearing distance of them. "Don't yer be skeert, Tom. The feller's gone ter sleep in there, and the soldiers kin hurry him off afore he wakes up. Don't yer see, Tom? I reckon the Yank's an officer, and they'll give me suthin handsome fur ketchin him." "Yes; but, dad, they'll get suthin handsome fur ketchin me too." "You kin hide, as yer allers does when they comes." "But the Yank will blow on me." "What if he does?" "He'll tell 'em I'm up chimley, and then they'll look fur me." "Tom, ye're a bigger fool'n yer father!" said the farmer petulantly. "Can't yer hide in t'other place down suller?" "It looks kinder skeery, dad," replied the doubtful son. "Yer used ter hide down suller more'n yer did up chimley. But don't yer see, Tom, arter I've called in the soldiers, and give up the Yank, they'll think I'm a patriot, and won't b'leeve nothin' a dirty Yank can say agin' me." "Well, dad, I hate the Yank as bad as you do; but yer must be keerful." "Now go and see that the feller don't wake up and run off, and I'll go down arter a sergeant and half a dozen men. When yer hear us comin', just step down suller'n crawl inter the drean. Git the feller's pistol out of his pocket, if yer kin, while he's asleep." "What a precious old scoundrel that man is!" thought Somers, as he retreated from the window, and threw himself on the floor where the farmer had left him. He almost regretted that he had not used his pistol on the treacherous old villain, who had made a fair bargain with him, and agreed to the terms of the contract. The wretch had actually gone after the soldiers to entrap him, and Tom was to remain and keep watch of him in the meantime. Taking the revolver from his pocket, he thrust it under his blouse; still keeping his hand upon it, so as to make sure that the deserter did not carry out his part of the programme. Thus prepared for the conflict which might ensue, or for any other event, he closed his eyes, and pretended to be asleep. Presently the door softly opened, and Tom crept into the room. He had taken off his shoes, that his step on the uncarpeted floor might not disturb his prey, and stole towards him. After approaching as near to the prostrate form as he dared, he bent over him to determine in which pocket the pistol had been placed. Somers was tempted to grapple him by the throat, as he listened to the young villain's subdued breathing; but he feared that he would scream if he did so, and it was necessary to achieve his conquest in a more gentle manner.