"And I struck at him with the boat-hook. I have been in a worse fight than that."
"You have!"
"Yes; I have been where the bullets flew thick and fast."
"You!"
"I was in a battle with the Indians; and I once had the happiness to rescue a young lady from the savages; so I think this is a very mild kind of fighting."
"What a hero you have been!"
"Not much of a hero; but I don't like to see anything go wrong with a young lady. I never saw a young lady till I was twelve years old, and I find myself very kindly disposed towards all of them—strange as it may seem."
Miss Collingsby tried to smile, but she did not feel able to do so.
CHAPTER XX.