{Footnote 1: Real.}
Stuart pressed the party hotly toward Sanxter’s, but they escaped—nearly capturing on the way, however, a party of officers at a blacksmith’s shop. The general came back in high good humor. The chase seemed to have delighted him.
“Bully for old Tom Herbert!” he exclaimed. “You ought to have seen him when they were cutting at him, and spoiling his fine new satchel!”
Tom Herbert did not seem to participate in the general’s mirth. He was examining the satchel which a sabre stroke had nearly cut in two.
“What are you looking at?” asked Stuart.
“This hole, general,” replied Tom, uttering a piteous sigh.
“Well, it is a trifle.”
“It is a serious matter, general.”
“You have lost something?”
“Yes.”