“No,” replied Captain R——, “I am out of the navy now. I have turned farmer too, and you are quite safe.”
“I hope you prosper well, sir?”
“Not quite as well as you, Billy—I have come into the backwoods to see if I can do better.”
“Only serve under me,” said Billy,“ and I will repay all your good offices.”
“What, the floggings, _et cetera_?”
“By God's help, sir, I may,” said Billy. “Try me, sir.”
“No—I am going on a little farther.”
“You may go farther, and fare worse, sir.”
“Perhaps so—but I believe it is bedtime, and so good-night, Mr. Ghost.”
Captain R—— retired very quietly to his room, went to bed, and slept like a top, till the broad sun shone over the summits of the trees into his face, as he lay under the window. He breakfasted sumptuously, and set out gallantly for the prairies of St. Louis.