Then he said, "I enlist as one of Captain 'Thunder-and-Lightning's' men."
I repeated, "I enlist as one of Captain 'Thunder-and-Lightning's' men."
"I swear I will obey him even to death."
"I swear I will obey him even to death."
"And shed my last drop of blood at his command."
"And shed my last drop of blood at his command."
"That's all," he said, lowering the pistol. "You are one of my men now, and as likely a young fellow as there is under my command. Give me your hand."
I put it out, and he gave it such a vice-like grip I was very glad when he let go; but I think I gave him as good a squeeze as I got.
"You're of the right sort!" he said, after he released me. "Now, the first command I have to give you is to carry a dead man and bury him here. I always try the nerve of a new recruit."
"You'll find, captain, that I have plenty of nerve, and more in the bank to draw from."