“I believe you said you never drank any whiskey?”

“I never did, sir.”

“Then you never was drunk?”

“Never, sir.”

“Young man!”

“Sir.”

“Are you a—hic——”

Somers was not a “hic;” but he was an impatient young man, and very anxious to be instructed in regard to his difficult and dangerous mission.

“Are you a minister of the gospel?” demanded the general, after a mighty effort.

“No, sir; I am not.”