“Nonsense! I have just been promoted.”
“Bah! what was that to a man of your merit, with a Senator to speak at court for you? A petty first lieutenancy is nothing for a brilliant fellow like you.”
“I am not half so brilliant a fellow as you declare, and I think that a commission as first lieutenant is a big thing for a young man like me. I’m sure I never had an idea of being an officer at all; and, when I was made a sergeant, I didn’t think I deserved it.”
“What do you suppose a major-general can want with you? You have heard from Senator Guilford once before, and I am satisfied you will hear from him again. Now, Somers, what do you suppose the general wants of you?”
“I don’t know; I think it very likely he wants a man of my size to go up the river, or on the other side, scouting; nothing more than that, I am satisfied. But I must obey the order,” added Somers, who had been making his preparations during the conversation.
“Well, good-by, my boy; and I shall have to stand one side for you after this, and salute you as major.”
“As what?”
“Major.”
“How absurd you are, captain! You always talk like a sensible fellow; that is, when you mean what you say.”
“A hard hit; and very likely the first thing you do, when you get to be a major, will be to arrest me for lying.”