"Because if you had whispered it even to the sutler 't would have been all over the camp in no time. I knew I could rely on you, me boy."
"But I tell you," protested Noel, "I don't remember making any such promise."
"You shure did, and if you didn't you'll give it to me now."
"How do you know I will?" protested Noel, whose opportunities of teasing his joke-loving tent-mate were not numerous.
If there was any mischief in the camp every one by common consent declared that Dennis O'Hara had a share in it, if he was not the prime mover. But like all practical jokers, Dennis, so fond of playing pranks upon others, was usually easily angered when he himself was made the victim of the pranks.
"Shure, Noel," he begged, "you'll give me your promise now? Just think what it would mane for me. Ugh!" he added, as he closed his eyes and shuddered at the recollection of the "attack" of the huge field-hand.
"But, Dennis," protested Noel, "she was simply trying to show her love for you. She said she had been waiting years for you to come down here. Indeed, she declared that with you here the year of Jubilee had nothing to offer."
"She didn't!" spoke up Dennis promptly. "Indade, an' she said nothin' of the kind! If you won't mind, Noel," he added, "I think I'll make a deetour about that cabin yonder," as a little log cabin in the distance was seen.
"What's the matter now, Dennis?" laughed Noel. "You aren't afraid there will be more field-hands there?"
"I don't feel like takin' great chances. I tell you, Noel, one such chase is enough to last a man a lifetime."