In sober truth, I can easily imagine such a
girl might tempt even me to quit the broadsword and saddle, for a
darning-needle and pillion."
"Mutiny, sir, mutiny," cried the other, laughing. "What, you, Tom Mason,
dare to rival the gay, admired, and withal rich, Major Dunwoodie in his
love! You, a lieutenant of cavalry, with but one horse, and he none of
the best! whose captain is as tough as a pepperidge log, and has as many
lives as a cat!"
"Faith," said the subaltern, smiling in his turn, "the log may yet be
split, and grimalkin lose his lives, if you often charge as madly as you
did this morning. What think you of many raps from such a beetle as laid
you on your back to-day?"
"Ah! don't mention it, my good Tom; the thought makes my head ache,"
replied the other, shrugging up his shoulders. "It is what I call
forestalling night."
"The night of death?"
"No, sir, the night that follows day. I saw myriads of stars, things
which should hide their faces in the presence of the lordly sun. I do
think nothing but this thick cap saved me for your comfort a little
longer, mauger the cat's lives."
"I have much reason to be obliged to the cap," said Mason dryly. "That
or the skull must have had a reasonable portion of thickness, I admit."
"Come, come, Tom, you are a licensed joker, so I'll not feign anger with
you," returned the captain, good-humoredly.
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