Tom had not, from the beginning, entertained a very high respect for the man; but now he despised him, and thought that a rebel was a gentleman compared with such a character.

How a man could live in the United States, and not feel an interest in the stirring events which were transpiring around him, was beyond his comprehension.

In one word, he so thoroughly despised Joe Burnap, that he resolved, at the first convenient opportunity, to get rid of him, for he did not feel safe in the company of such a person.
"Now which side do you fight fur ?" asked Joe, after a long period of silence.
"For the Union side," replied Tom, promptly.
"What are yer doin' here, then ?" "I was in the battle below, and was taken prisoner, got away, and I want to get to Washington." "I reckon this ain't the way to git thar," added Joe.
"I doubt whether I can get there any other way." Just then, Tom would have given all the money he had in the world, and all that the government owed him, for a good map of Virginia--or even for a knowledge of geography which would have enabled him to find his way by the safest route to Washington.

But he had been a diligent scholar in school, and had faithfully improved the limited opportunities which had been afforded him.

His mind could recall the map of Virginia which he had studied in school, but the picture was too faint to be of much practical benefit to him.
He had treasured up some information, derived from the newspapers, in regard to the Manassas Gap Railroad.