“Oh, that'll be 'all right. We'll freeze you out sure. Say, you come up on top where we can get a look at you.”
“If you'll put your old guns away, and not pop at us, we'll come up.”
“That's a bargain. We promise. But you must do the same by us.”
“Agreed—that's fair enough.” And true to their word, they would show themselves, and a running fire of jokes and ridicule would be launched at each other.
“Say, Johnnie, how are the hotels over there? Engage us rooms at the best one, for we want good accommodations when we get there.”
“We have everything fine, and are waiting to receive you in first-class shape.”
“Good eating?”
“The choicest cuts of mule-steaks, roasts, soups, any shape you order it. Say, Yank, what's the news your way?”
“Oh, were having a jolly time. We've got everything we want, save your town, and when we get that, the old mud stream will be open for a sail way down to the Gulf.”
“Well, you won't take your sail very soon, then, for you'll never get Vicksburg. Say, have yer got any terbacker?”