"Well, you're a man; you'll know how to defend yourself next time, won't you?"
"Yassam!—yas, m'am!" Andy answered boldly. "Oh, I fit 'im! Don't you think I didn't fight him! I fit des lak er wild-cat—yassam!"
The woman's eyes narrowed and her voice purred:
"You're going to stand by me now?"
"Dat I is!" was the brave response.
"You'll do anything for me?"
"Yassam!"
"Defend me with your life if the major attacks me to-night?"
"Dat I will!"
Cleo leaned close: