“An officer usually wears a sword,” added Somers, “and a pair of boots.”
“Ger ’long!” said Gragg.
“Do you think an officer would be without boots, when all his men are so well shod? I think I should be a cat’s paw without any claws.”
“Give him his boots; he won’t want ’em arter supper,” replied Turkin; and the young man who had these useful articles was compelled to pull them off, which he did with a great deal of difficulty.
Somers put them on, and began to feel like himself again.
“See here, cap’n; couldn’t you send the folks all out the house for a while, when we are at supper?”
“Perhaps I could; but I fancy they will think I am a humbug, when I go in without a sword.”
“Give him his sword,” said Turkin. “Now, kin yer send the folks off?—play ’em some Yankee trick?—don’t yer see?”
“Perhaps I could; I’ll try.”
“Ef yer do well, we’ll give yer supper afore—”