"Dunno," the other fellow replied. "Hope they'll come afore long and settle the matter, so that we'll know what we've got to do."
"How d'ye think it's going?"
"Dunno. Reckon the majority'll be ag'in' the poor cuss."
"I'm thinkin' that way, too. I kinder hope not, though, for I don't fancy the job."
"Pshaw! you're chicken-hearted, without cause. He's never made love to you."
"Darn it, no; but he's too fine a specimen of manhood to feed to the sharks."
"Pooh! Many's the one better'n he wot's enriched the bottom o' the sea. I wonder who the Irishman was, we met at the front?"
"Some tramp, I allow, who'd sought a night's shelter here, and got skeered at our friend Bill," and he glanced at the swinging head with a laugh. "Hello! I say, Bill, how are you getting along in your new place o' residence?"
"First-rate!" apparently answered the grinning head, followed by a ghostly sort of a gurgling laugh.
"Jehosaphat!" cried the questioner, leaping to his feet. "Thunder and lightning! Did ye hear that, Hand?"