Andy looked grieved:
"Lordy, Mister Tom—don't say dat, sah. I ain't no coward—I'se des cautious. Ye know I wuz in dat fus' battle er Bull's Run wid de major. I git separated from him in a close place an' hatter move my headquarters. Dey said I wuz er coward den 'cause I run. But twan't so, sah! Twan't cause I wuz er coward. I knowed zactly what I wuz doin'. I run 'cause I didn't hab no wings! I done de very bes' I could wid what I had. An' fuddermo', sah, de fellers dat wuz whar I wuz en' didn't run—dey's all dar yit at Bull's Run! Nasah, I ain't no coward. I des got de indiscretion——"
Another door slammed and Andy dodged.
"What's the matter with you anyhow, you old fool, are you having fits?" Tom cried.
Andy looked around the room cautiously and took hold of the boy's coat:
"You listen to me, Mister Tom. I'se gwine tell yer somfin' now——"
"Well?"
"I ain't er skeered er de major—but he's dangous——"
"Bosh!"
"Dey's sumfin' de matter wid him!"