The soldiers gathered around them, as much interested as though they had been members of the Somers family.

Tom's father had a multitude of questions to ask about Pinchbrook and its people, all of which were answered to his satisfaction.
The sergeant thought it was time for the party to move on, and his father declared that he was able to walk any distance which would bring him nearer to the home of his wife and children.

The order was given, and the little band resumed its march.
"How have you been all this time, father ?" asked Tom, as he walked along by the side of Captain Somers.
"I've been pretty fairly most of the time.

I'm tough and hardy, or I should have been dead afore this time.

We've been half starved and half frozen in the camp; but I managed to live through it, hoping and expecting to get away from those rascally rebels." "Where have you been all the time ?" asked Tom.