"I won't be coward no more, Massa Nettleton. Golly, don't I wish dis chile was brabe like you. But, ye see, Massa Nettleton, when dis chile gets in de woods, and de rebels are aroun', it makes his har stan' on end."
"Well, don't you do it no more, or I make you stand on end!"
"William Nettleton," called the captain.
"Yes, sir! want the horses?"
"Yes, William."
As the party mounted, and prepared to depart, Captain Hayward said:
"Why, William, you informed me that you had killed that gentleman of color. I see he is alive, and apparently unhurt."
"Why ye see, captain, his skull is so thick, it ain't so easily cracked. But, if you'll only just examine his skull, you'll find a lump there big enough for a breastwork."
"Do you think it has improved his condition?"
"I guess it knocked some of the fear out of his woolly top-piece, and if I have occasion to hit him again, I bet it will knock it all out."