"I don't care if I do!"
"Still another!"
"I don't care if I do!" replied Hayward again, in a singular tone.
"Oh! you have been with McIntosh, sure," said the Orderly, who made himself very familiar with his new acquaintance. He had evidently been already very familiar with the brandy, and was getting very drunk. "I should know you had drank with Mac many a time. That is always his reply, and we use it all over the camp—Don't care if I do," and the orderly drained his glass again. Hayward pretended to drink.
"What news do you bring from Mac?" asked the orderly.
"I expect it is advice to retreat!"
"Oh! he need not have sent us that advice!"
"Why, I thought General Price had determined to make a stand here!"
"So did I. But he won't now. Mum's the word, you know, if I tell you!"
"Oh! yes, mum!" answered Hayward in a confidential tone.