“Quite true, Mike; but let us not forget the road. Look to the cattle, and be ready to start within an hour.”
When he left the room for this purpose I endeavored to shake the major into momentary consciousness ere we parted.
“Major, Major,” said I, “time is up. I must start.”
“Yes, it’s all true, your Excellency: they pillaged a little; and if they did change their facings, there was a great temptation. All the red velvet they found in the churches—”
“Good-by, old fellow, good-by!”
“Stand at ease!”
“Can’t, unfortunately, yet awhile; so farewell. I’ll make a capital report of the Legion to Sir Arthur; shall I add anything particularly from yourself?”
This, and the shake that accompanied it, aroused him. He started up, and looked about him for a few seconds.
“Eh, Charley! You didn’t say Sir Arthur was here, did you?”
“No, Major; don’t be frightened; he’s many a league off. I asked if you had anything to say when I met him?”