"Lick us, you boasters! Where did you ever lick us?"
"Wherever we were able to find you."
"My histories tell me that you never looked for us much."
"But those histories were written by Englishmen. I'll lay you a good five-dollar bill against one of your shilling-short pounds that I beat you into Berlin."
"As a prisoner, yes. I've no doubt of it."
"Gentlemen," said Creville, as he took a step forward, and looked into a little dip, "I bring you a new comrade."
Within the dip lay at least two hundred youths and young men. Nearly all were fair, and they were unmistakably Americans and English. The two who had been carrying on the violent controversy were stretched flat on the grass almost at the feet of Creville. But they sat up, when they heard him, and John saw that they were uncommonly handsome and athletic, their age about his own. They stepped forward at once, and extended to John the hand of fellowship. Captain Creville made the introductions.
"He wishes to enlist with you," he said.
"He'll be welcome, I know," said the Englishman, Carstairs. "Our commander, Captain Colton, is not here at this moment, but we expect him in a half hour. How did you arrive, Mr. Scott?"
"He dropped down," replied Creville for John. "Dropped down. I don't understand you, Captain?"