Just beyond the squire’s house he met Captain Barney, who was riding up to the town hall.
“What’s this I hear of you, Tom?” demanded the captain, as he reined in his horse. “They say you have joined the company.”
“Yes, sir. I have.”
“Bravo! my boy. Good on your head! You ought to go out as a brigadier general. What does your mother say?”
“I have her written consent in my pocket.”
“All right. God bless you, my boy!” said the old salt, as he started his horse.
“Thank you, sir. There’s only one thing that troubles me.”
“Eh? What’s that, my boy?” demanded Captain Barney as he reined up the horse again.
“I suppose you have heard of my scrape at Squire Pemberton’s the other night.”
“Yes; and shiver my timbers if I didn’t want to keelhaul the old traitor when I heard of it.”