"When did that happen?"
"Why, o' Saturday. I hearn of it afore we left the lines. 'Twas all over town yesterday," he replied, with infinite composure.
"And you didn't tell us! That was unkind of you, Javins,—very unkind. How could you do it?"
"It's ag'in' orders to talk news with you;—besides, I thought you knowed it."
"How should we know it?"
"Why, your boat was only just ahead of his'n, comin' up the river. He got shot runnin' that battery. Hit in the arm, and died when they amputated him."
"Amputated him! Did they cut off his head to save his arm?"
Whether he saw a quiet twinkle in my eye, or knew that the news was false, I know not. Whichever it was, he replied,—
"I reckon. Then you don't b'lieve it?"
"Why should I doubt it? Don't your papers always tell the truth?"