"I'd sooner have the siege," said Gracie; and they all clamoured to know why, and Jim felt humpy.
"Oh, just because you're all farther away from one another and not so likely to get hurt," said she. "When you fight on horses you're bound to get close to one another."
"That's what we want," growled Jim. "The closer the better."
"And then the poor horses!" said. Gracie, with a shiver. "To say nothing of the poor men!" growled Jim once more.
"It's all horrid and hateful and wicked. I don't mean you two," she added hastily, "but the people who bring it about. If they all had to fight themselves, instead of sending other people to do it for them, they wouldn't be so ready to begin."
"They'd make a pretty poor show, some of them," laughed Jack. "Think of little Johnny Russell facing up to the Tsar."
"David and Goliath," suggested the Rev. Charles.
"Goliath got the stone in his eye--well, in his head, it's all the same--and so he will this time," said Jim.
"Artillery!" said Jack triumphantly.
"David cut off his head," said Gracie.