"
"My dear John, if I thought it would correct the errors you have
imbibed, from habit and indulgence, nothing could give me more
pleasure."
"We are fast approaching some rocks on our left; the echo will double my
satisfaction."
Thus encouraged, and somewhat impelled by the opinion that he both sang
and wrote with taste, the surgeon set about complying with the request
in sober earnest. Some little time was lost in clearing his throat, and
getting the proper pitch of his voice; but no sooner were these two
points achieved, than Lawton had the secret delight of hearing his
friend commence--
"'Hast thou ever'"--
"Hush!" interrupted the trooper. "What rustling noise is that among the
rocks?"
"It must have been the rushing of the melody. A powerful voice is like
the breathing of the winds.
"'Hast thou ever'"--
"Listen!" said Lawton, stopping his horse. He had not done speaking,
when a stone fell at his feet, and rolled harmlessly across the path.
"A friendly shot, that," cried the trooper. "Neither the weapon, nor its
force, implies much ill will."
"Blows from stones seldom produce more than contusions," said the
operator, bending his gaze in every direction in vain, in quest of the
hand from which the missile had been hurled. "It must be meteoric; there
is no living being in sight, except ourselves.
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