"They think! Who are they? A lot of rapscalions who could not be content with their own country, but must come out here, and when we allow them to do so, they rebel. Englishmen worthy of the name never rebel."
"And yet, general, there were a good many worthy Englishmen who rebelled against James and supported William the Third."
"That was different, Gilmartin, different; they were patriots, and not rebels."
"As these men will be if they are successful."
"But they cannot be successful—they cannot be. This fellow, Allen, was a farmer. He calls himself colonel. Fancy, of the same rank as you, Gilmartin, while you were trained in your boyhood for the army, and when you were old enough got a commission——"
"Which I purchased, as I have had to every promotion."
Col. Gilmartin felt sore over his tardy promotions, and never waited a second opportunity to tell his grievances.
Prescott had been one of the fortunates ones; he had obtained his promotion easily, so he was satisfied with the condition of the army.
He was in no humor to listen to any complaints, and so he stopped his brother officer by saying:
"Order at once the placing of that fellow, Allen, in the heaviest irons—stay, I will give the order myself."