"How foolish; I might give you something for a keepsake which would leave better memories, do you not think so?"
"You might, if you wish to."
The girl was visibly agitated at this, coming as it did from her crude admirer. She fumbled about her dress, her hair, and finally drew off her glove and gave it to the scout, with a smile so sweet and a glance of the eye which penetrated Ermine like a charge of buckshot. He took the glove and put it inside of the breast of his shirt, and said, "I'll get the wolf."
Shockley was so impressed with the conversation that he was surprised into silence, and to accomplish that phenomenon took a most powerful jolt, as every one in the regiment knew. He could talk the bottom out of a nose-bag, or put a clock to sleep. Ordinary verbal jollity did not seem at all adequate, so he carolled a passing line:—
"One little, two little, three little Injuns,
Four little, five little, six little Injuns,
Seven little, eight little, nine little Injuns,
Ten little Injun boys."
This came as an expiring burst which unsettled his horse though it relieved him. Shockley needed this much yeast before he could rise again.
"Oh, Mr. Shockley, you must know Mr. Ermine."
"I have the pleasure, Miss Searles; haven't I, Ermine?"
The scout nodded assent.