The major then directed an orderly to attend to the wants of the fugitive, and gave the latter orders to report to him within two hours. Somers washed his face, and partook of some cold bacon and corn bread, which constituted the staple of the rebel rations. He then told the orderly that he wanted to look round a little, and find his regiment, if he could; but was informed that the camp regulations did not permit any strolling about the camps. He suggested that the officer of the day would give him a pass, and he returned to the major to beg this favor. It was readily granted; and the time for him to report was extended to four hours, as his regiment was situated at some distance from the brigade camp, though it belonged to the same division. Thus provided, Somers commenced his tour of observation. Of course, he had no intention of visiting the Fourth Alabama; for that would have been putting his head into the lion's mouth. We need only say, that he used his time to the best advantage for the country in whose service he had enlisted. He noted the brigades, regiments, and batteries of artillery, which he saw in his walk; and arranged a little scheme in his mind, by which he could remember the number of each. In the course of his perambulations, he reached the Williamsburg road, and was on the point of extending his observations in the direction of the railroad, when he was stopped by a sentinel. He produced his pass, which the rebel soldier could not read; and he was conducted to the sergeant of the guard, who was listening to a conversation between a captain and an old man who appeared to be a farmer. They were bargaining about some forage which the captain wanted, and which the farmer was not disposed to sell. "What have you there?" demanded the officer, as the sentinel brought in the doubtful case. "Man with a pass." "Your pass is good up to the Williamsburg road, and no farther," said the sergeant when he had read the document. "I didn't know where the lines were," replied Somers, returning the pass to his pocket. "Where are you going?" asked the officer, apparently not satisfied with the appearance of the "man with a pass." "Looking for my regiment, sir," replied Somers, giving the military salute; which excess of politeness, however, was lost on the matter-of-fact captain. "What regiment?" "The Fourth Alabama." "The Fourth Alabama! What are you doing over here, then?" "I am a stranger in these parts; and I don't know where to look. I have just escaped from the Yankees, and don't know much about this part of the country." "What is your name?" "Allan Garland, sir." "What!" exclaimed the old farmer, suddenly becoming interested in the conversation. "In my opinion, you are a deserter," added the officer in a crabbed tone. "I advise you to arrest him, sergeant. That pass is good for nothing on this road."