"How do you do, my young man?"
The boy looked up in surprise and said—
"I am very well, sir, thank you."
"What is your name?"
"Ray, and I live in the house down yonder."
"Ain't you afraid to hunt alone in the woods, when the Indians are making so much trouble?"
"Well, I try to be careful, but there is danger in these times everywhere, as it seems to me; but won't you help me eat this duck which is now ready for the table?"
"I'm obliged to you, for I am quite hungry."
Accordingly he sat down and attacked the duck, which he remarked was very toothsome, especially when a person was so a-hungered as he, and complimenting the boy upon his culinary skill, he kept at work until there wasn't a particle left for young Ray, who was somewhat astonished and not altogether enthusiastic over the style in which his visitor disposed of the bird.
"But," said General Ray afterward, "he would have been welcome to all the game I could have killed, when I afterward became acquainted with his noble and gallant soul."