"I hope your honor will pardon me; but I have just escaped from the Yankees, and have not had time to wash my face. If you please, sir, I will go and do it now. I thought I ought to come to you without any delay." "You did right, young man," replied the major with a consequential flourish of the hand. "You were out scouting when you were taken?" "Yes, sir." Major Platner then proceeded to ask a great many questions in regard to the force and position of the Yankees; all of which Somers answered entirely in the interest of the Union party. He was very careful not to give a particle of information that could be useful to the rebels; at the same time avoiding any gross exaggerations which would throw discredit on his story. "You seem to be a very intelligent and patriotic young man," added the officer. "I have heard some inquiries for a person of your description to-day." "I have always endeavored to do my duty to my country," answered Somers, trying to blush under the compliment of the patronizing little major; "and I kept my eyes wide open while I was in the Yankee camps." "I see you did. Your information is very definite, and, I doubt not, very reliable." "My only desire has been to serve my country, sir," added Somers very modestly. "Well, go and wash your face, so that we can see what color you are, and I will report your name to the general, who was inquiring for a useful person like yourself. I trust that you will have discretion enough not to mention anything that has passed between us." "Certainly not, sir. I judge, from what you have said, that my poor services may be required for some special service." "That is the idea which I intended to convey. In a word, the commander of this division wants information. You have just come from the Yankee lines, and you know where to look for the intelligence that will be of the most value to us." "I think I do, sir." "The fact that you have just made your way through the Yankee lines shows that you possess the necessary address." "I thank you for your good opinion; and I assure you, sir, that I should be very glad to serve my country in any capacity in which she may require my humble labors." "Very well, young man." "A plan occurs to me now, by which I could easily enter the Yankee lines." "Indeed! What is that?" "When I ran through the enemy's pickets, they fired upon me, and one of them chased me. I brought him down with my pistol," replied Somers, producing the weapon, which he had taken the precaution to bring with him. "I know just where that Yankee lies now; I could borrow his uniform, and go in among the enemy without suspicion." "Very well arranged, young man."