With his pass he had no difficulty in going through any line, and made his way down to the woods on the left of the open fields. He began to feel easier when he had passed the field-works, and experienced a sensation of exultation as he thought of the reception which awaited him at headquarters as well as in the regiment.
CHAPTER XV
THE SHARPSHOOTER IN THE WOODS
Somers found the picket guard nearer the rebel line than he had anticipated; but the exhibition of his pass, which had been prepared with special reference to this purpose, prevented any long detention, though a sergeant had to be called who was scholar enough to read the mysterious document.
“I reckon you haven’t got the best place to go through,” said the sergeant, after he had examined the pass, and satisfied himself of its correctness.
“Why not?”
“There’s a whole squad of Yankees a good piece in there,” he replied, pointing in the direction of the Federal lines. “They’ve been there all day watching for something.”
“What do they want?”
“There was a man run through the line this forenoon from their side, and I reckon they are trying to find him.”