"Oh, Tom--I mean Lieutenant Somers--I'm glad to see you!" exclaimed the veteran as he grasped both the hands of the young soldier. "Thank you, uncle; I'm just as glad to see you as you can be to see me," replied Somers. "You're all tuckered out, Somers." "I had to run for some distance, with the odds against me; but I shall get rested in a little while." The sergeant began to ask questions; and, as soon as he had recovered his breath, Somers gave him a brief sketch of his adventures, dwelling mainly on the last and most thrilling event of the day. "I can hardly believe that I am alive and well after all that has happened," said he in conclusion. "That was the most bloodthirsty villain I ever encountered in the whole course of my life." "If you say shoot him, leftenant, it shall be done quicker'n you can say Jack Roberson," added Hapgood, indignant at the conduct of the savage rebel. "Of course, I don't say anything of that kind. It would be murder to do anything of that sort while he is our prisoner." "He desarves hanging more'n Kyd the pirate did; and if I had my way, he'd swing afore sunrise to-morrow. He's a consarned heathen!" "Never mind him; only keep him safe, and where he can't do any mischief; for he is wicked enough to kill the man that feeds him." "I'm only sorry I didn't hit him a little higher up, where I hit the other feller this mornin'," added the veteran. "How do you feel now, leftenant?" "I am improving. I shall be ready to go with you in a few moments more." After sitting on the stump half an hour longer, he was in condition to march; but the danger was past, the tremendous excitement had subsided, and his muscles, which had been strained up to the highest tension, seemed to become soft and flaccid. The party passed the Union pickets, and reached the headquarters of the division general, who had just finished his supper. "Somers! by all that is great and good!" exclaimed the general, who probably never expected to see the scout again. "I have come to make my report, sir," replied the lieutenant. "You are all used up. You look as though you could hardly stand up." "I am very tired, sir," added Somers languidly. "Sit down, then. Here, Peter," he added, addressing his servant, "bring in a glass of whiskey for Lieutenant Somers." "Thank you, general; I never drink anything stronger than coffee." "But a little whiskey would do you good in your present condition; you need it." "I thank you, general; I never drink whiskey, as I had occasion to say to a rebel general of division to-day." "Eh? 'Pon my conscience! Were you asked to drink by a rebel major-general?" demanded the officer, greatly surprised at the statement of the scout "Not exactly, sir. About the first question he asked me was, how much whiskey I could drink without going by the board." "Who was he? Bring coffee, Peter." "General M----."