General Shields burst out laughing. ‘Well, you are a “Terror,” indeed,’ he said. ‘Take your ham, by all means. I don’t want it, as you say.’
Ephraim instantly swung himself up on the rafter, and while making a great clattering among the planks, as though looking for his ham, contrived to whisper: ‘Lie low, Luce. I’ll come back fer ye, wanst they go away. We’re close ter our own lines.’ Then he dropped down again, and with his precious burden hugged close to his breast, saluted awkwardly and turned to the door.
‘Stay!’ cried the general. ‘Before you go, perhaps you can give me your version of yesterday’s skirmish, in which the “Trailing Terrors” were so knocked about.’
‘Waal, I didn’t see much of it,’ drawled Ephraim with perfect truth. ‘Ye onderstand’——
What he would have said was interrupted by a loud clatter of hoofs outside. A horse was pulled up short, and a courier, hot and perspiring, rushed into the hut.
‘General!’ he panted. ‘The advance has begun. The cavalry are forward, as well as the two batteries. The cavalry have reached the fords without serious opposition.’
‘Orderly!’ shouted General Shields, scribbling again in his pocket-book.
‘Sir,’ answered Cox, stepping inside.
‘Send that note to General Tyler.—My horse outside?’
‘Yes, sir.’