He had walked an hour or more, when, suddenly, three men sprung up in the path before him.
"Halt! Who comes there ?" demanded one of them.
"Friend!" replied Tom; though he had a great many doubts in regard to the truth of his assertion.
"Advance, friend, and give the countersign!" But the soldier boy had no countersign to give.

He had fallen upon a rebel picket post, and was made a prisoner..