Forward!" added Tom, leading the way.
The party rushed forward, for a short distance; but the dozen rebels had been reenforced, and it was madness to rush into the very teeth of danger.
Tom ordered his men to halt and fire at will.

The deserter, probably finding that he was between two fires, turned aside from the direct course he was pursuing, and sought shelter in the woods.

The sergeant then directed his men to retire, for whether the retreat of the runaway rebel was covered or not, it was no longer safe to remain.
Fortunately the Confederates were more in doubt than the Unionists; and perhaps expecting to fall upon a larger body of the latter, they abandoned the pursuit, and returned to their posts.

Nothing was seen of the deserter for some time, and Tom concluded that he had lost his way in the woods, or had missed the direction taken by the Federal scouts.
"He was a plucky fellow, any how," said one of the men, "to attempt to run away in the very face of his companions." "Well, he timed it well, for he started just when their guns were all empty," added another.
"I'm not sorry he missed us," continued Hapgood.

"I don't like a desarter, no how.