The young fellow's eyes flashed.
"Trust me, Hyde; I sha'n't flinch, if I only get the chance."
"You are well educated; you can draw; you have picked up Spanish since you have been here; and I suppose you inherit a taste for languages from your Polish father?"
"I don't know; at any rate, I can talk French fluently, and I speak Russian of course."
"Why, man! the game is positively in your own hands. You are bound to get on: mark my words."
"Not if we stay here, Hyde, keeping guard upon this old Rock and losing all the fun. Can you wonder why I am so anxious the regiment should get the route?"
"It will come, never fear. They will want every soldier that carries a musket before this war is over, or I'm a much-mistaken man. Only have patience."
"How can I? I am eating my heart out, Hyde."
"Was it to tell me this you came down here? What brings you to Waterport this morning? Only to gossip with me?"
"That, and something more. I am on duty, detailed as orderly sergeant to one of the Expeditionary Generals; he is just going to land from a yacht in the bay."