One day, talking with a young man about his own age, but cooler and less blood-thirsty, Mr. Diggs said they were too slow about fighting. Since the surrender of Twiggs in Texas no other event had transpired, and such indifference was monstrous.
"Don't be in a hurry, Diggs," said his friend. "Let them have time for consideration."
"There's no need of consideration. I am ready now. I will go, like Marion, to avenge my country's wrongs," said Diggs.
"This is war against our own countrymen," said his friend, "and I don't think there is any place in either rank for me."
"There is a place for me," said Diggs, strutting about with his hands in his pockets and expectorating profusely. "My country needs me, and I reckon there's a place for me."
"Will you take a colonelcy to commence with?" his friend asked, with a smile.
"I don't expect a colonelcy at first," said Diggs. "I want to start at the foot of the ladder, as captain, and gradually rise until I am commander-in-chief."
"You would make such a noble-looking general!" said a bystander, surveying the fat little fellow.
"You can talk, Howard Jones, but I—hem! hem!—have always had a taste for military life."
"You would make such a fine-looking commander," said Jones. "Mounted on a tall charger you would yourself strike terror to the enemy."