Then it was," added the lieutenant, with
animation, "that we sent John Bull to the bushes. Oh! it was a sweet
charge--heads and tails, until we were upon them."
"The devil! What a sight I missed!"
"You slept through it all."
"Yes," returned the other, with a sigh; "it was all lost to me and poor
George Singleton. But, Tom, what will George's sister say to this
fair-haired maiden, in yonder white building?"
"Hang herself in her garters," said the subaltern. "I owe a proper
respect to my superiors, but two such angels are more than justly falls
to the share of one man, unless he be a Turk or a Hindoo."
"Yes, yes," said the captain, quickly, "the major is ever preaching
morality to the youngsters, but he is a sly fellow in the main. Do you
observe how fond he is of the cross roads above this valley? Now, if I
were to halt the troops twice in the same place, you would all swear
there was a petticoat in the wind."
"You are well known to the corps."
"Well, Tom, a slanderous propensity is incurable--but," stretching
forward his body in the direction he was gazing, as if to aid him in
distinguishing objects through the darkness, "what animal is moving
through the field on our right?"
"'Tis a man," said Mason, looking intently at the suspicious object.
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