“Captain Somers, that was the hardest fight for a little one I ever happened to be in,” said the major, after the event had been thoroughly rehearsed.
“It was sharp for a few moments. By the way, major, what is your opinion of Alick now?” asked Somers.
“Well, I was rather surprised to see him go in as he did. He is a brave fellow.”
“So he is; I did not know whether he would fight or not; but I thought he would.”
“O, I was sure of it.”
“Were you? Before the fight you seemed to be of the opinion that he was of no account.”
“That was said concerning niggers in general. I always had a great deal of confidence in Alick. When he fired his gun I knew what the boy meant.”
“His pistol, you mean; he had no gun.”
“You are right; it was a pistol,” said the major, with more confusion than this trifling inaccuracy justified.
“In the pursuit of the guerillas—”