“Yes,” calmly said Long. “He is a violent fellow, too;” and he related the incident about their first meeting.
“If the major had known of this,” said Captain Smithers, “he would never have allowed the man to settle here. You did wrong in not speaking of it, Long.”
“He was so apologetic and gentlemanly afterwards,” said the ensign, “that I did not care to speak about it, and upset the fellow’s plans.”
“Well, it is too late to talk about it now,” replied Captain Smithers; “but I shall have his actions quietly watched. Let me see, who will be the man?”
“There’s Private Gray yonder,” suggested the ensign.
“I hate Private Gray!” exclaimed Captain Smithers, with a sudden burst of rage, of which he seemed to be ashamed the next moment, for he said hastily,—“It is a foolish antipathy, for Gray is a good, staunch man;” and making an effort to master himself, he made a sign to Gray to come to them.
“You are right, Long; Gray is the man. He is to be trusted.”
The private came up, and stiffly saluted his officers, standing at attention.
“Gray,” said Captain Smithers, “I want you to undertake a little task for me.”
“Yes, sir.”