“Who am I, you sleepy scum! I’ll let you know who I am in about ten minutes,” added Tom, as he passed out at the front door of the church.
“Give me back my gun—won’t you?” pleaded the confused sentinel.
“I’ll give it back to you at the court-martial which will sit on your case to-morrow.”
“Who goes there?” challenged one of the sentinels on the outside.
“Who goes there!” added Tom, in a sneering tone. “Have you waked up? Where were you five minutes ago, when I passed this post? There won’t be a prisoner left here by morning. The long roll wouldn’t wake up such a stupid set of fellows.”
“Stop, sir!” said the astonished sentinel. “You can’t pass this line.”
“Can’t I, you stupid fool? I have passed it while you were asleep.”
“I haven’t been asleep.”
“Where have you been, then?” demanded Tom with terrible energy.
“Been here, sir.”