"Yes, sir; and learn it too," answered Nat.
Only four or five scholars responded to the teacher's proposition, and Frank Martin was one, Nat's "right hand man" in all studies and games. The teacher arranged with each one for a piece, and the school was dismissed. As soon as school was out.
"Frank," said Nat, "will you speak 'Alexander the Great and a Robber' with me?"
"Yes, if the teacher is willing. Which part will you take?"
"The 'robber,' if you are willing to be great Alexander."
Frank agreed to the proposition, and as the dialogue was in Pierpont's First Class Book, which was used in school, they turned to it, and showed it to the teacher before he left the school-house. It was arranged that they should speak it on the next day, provided they could commit it in so short a time.
"Going to speak a dialogue to-morrow," said Nat to his mother, as he went into the house.
"What are you going to speak?"
"Alexander the Great and a Robber," replied Nat. "And I shall be the robber, and Frank will be Alexander."
"Why do you choose to be the robber?" inquired his mother. "I hope you have no inclination that way."