"Well," said the latter pleasantly, "had your fill of it already, and come to cry off now that the fun's gone down?"
"No, not that, sir," Hal answered promptly, and in a voice which was somewhat agitated in spite of himself. "You've been so kind before, that I have come to ask another favor. The truth is that I am in serious trouble. Will you—can you help me, sir?"
The officer, who was arranging some papers on the table, swung round and looked at him curiously.
"Phew! trouble!" he exclaimed, giving vent to a shrill whistle. "It's bad, I reckon, for the lad who slips ashore on the Merrimac, and risks his skin at the game, is not the one to be easily put out. What is its nature?"
Hal was not the lad to talk, especially when deeds were wanted and time was of the utmost importance, so on this occasion he contrived to explain the situation in a few short sentences.
"I am to understand, then, Mr.—er—I don't remember your name—that you've friends close at hand, who are bein' worried by a scoundrel," said the officer. "And since you've mentioned it so particularly, I take it that the girl has got something to do with the flurry into which you've worked yourself. Now, what is in the wind? What are you asking for?"
"Give me thirty mounted men at once," Hal blurted out. "I promise to return with them as soon as possible."
"With what's left, you mean! Thirty mounted men! Well, I don't know that I couldn't oblige you."
He looked out of the window, and cogitated deeply for a few moments.
"Yes," he exclaimed, as if he had suddenly made up his mind. "Look here; take this order and go quickly."