The best way to conquer a difficulty is to charge upon it; and this Somers decided to do, even though he had no well-defined plan for the accomplishment of his purpose. Avoiding the observation of the rebels in the rifle-pits, he moved round, and reached the point of woods on the left of the road. "Excuse me, Lieutenant Somers," said Sergeant Hapgood with a military salute: "'tain't none o' my business, but I'd like to know where you are goin' to." "Through this woods," replied Somers doggedly. "You used to be a good boy, when you was a boy; and I hope you've said your prayers," replied old Hapgood, appalled at the prospect before his young friend. "Don't you croak, uncle," added Somers. "The rebels' pickets are up here, not twenty rods distant. Do you calculate to go through them, or over them?" "Either--just as I can; but I am going through, somehow or other." "It can't be done! Thunderation! you'll bring down the whole rebel army upon us! You don't think of going over there with only twenty men!" "I do, uncle. I'm going over on that hill yonder, and I'm coming back again before night." Hapgood tapped his forehead significantly with his finger to indicate that the young lieutenant had lost his senses. "I was ordered to do it, and I am going to do it, uncle. You can set your mind at rest on that point." "It can't be did!" said the old man positively. "I don't keer who told you to do it; it can't be did with less'n twenty thousand men. You will sacrifice yourself and all the rest of us." "You may return to the camp, if you wish." "Tom Somers--Lieutenant Somers," said the old man, much hurt by the words of the young officer, "you know I'm not afraid of anything; and I didn't expect you'd say that to me." "Excuse me, uncle; I didn't mean it. Now, hear me a moment." In a low tone, Lieutenant Somers told the sergeant the nature of his mission, and what depended upon its prompt and successful execution. "He ought to have sent a division to do such a job," muttered the old man, taking off his cap, and scratching his bald head. "Howsomever, I'm ready to follow you wherever you choose to go." "Forward, then," replied Somers; and they advanced cautiously through the woods till they came to a kind of bog-hole, beyond which they discovered the rebel pickets. The party lay down on the ground, and crawled on the edge of the bog, till they obtained a fair view of the rebels. "Now, uncle, the time has come, and my plan is formed," said Somers in a whisper. "When they discover you, retreat with the men as fast as you can. Fire on the rebels; but don't pay any attention to me." "Where are you going?" demanded the old man. "When you retire, I am going to roll into that grass. They will follow you; and, as soon as they have passed me, I shall move forward." "I won't do anything of the sort. Thunderation! you are goin' to run right into the arms of the rebels." "Obey my orders! That's all you have to do. I can take care of myself."