or I'm
in the humor for it right now. But chickens have a prejudice agin
fightin' at night. Many a time when I had trouble on my mind and
couldn't sleep I've got up and tried to stir their blood, but they want
to nod; that's what they want to do at night--nothin' but nod, unless
you've got light enough, and then if you stir 'em up they'll git so mad
that they'll go it smack to a finish."

"Talking about those chickens?" the General asked. "Confound them,
they'd have no attraction for me if it were mid-day. But pardon me. I
mean simply that I take no interest in such things."

Old Lim grunted. "Right here is where I git on my horse," said he. And
he mounted and rode on ahead in moody silence.

I was now walking beside the General and Alf was just behind me. Several
times the young man sighed distressfully and I knew that something heavy
had fallen upon his mind. Presently he pulled at my coat and as I
dropped back he took my place. "General, you said just now that Bill was
right in not letting me shoot that fellow, Scott Aimes." He hesitated
and was silent for a few moments, striding beside the General, and the
General said nothing--was waiting for him to continue. "Said that I was
wrong," Alf repeated, "and I reckon I was, but I hope you won't say
anything about it--at home."

"Why not at home, sir? Hah, why not at home? 'Od zounds, can't a
gentleman talk in his own house?"

Alf began to drop back. "What he means, General," said I, taking his
place, "is that he has so much respect for you that he does not want you
to think ill of him when you are alone, meditating in your own house."

"Ha, now, a fine whim, but it's a respectful whim and shall be honored,
sir. I don't understand the young men of this day and generation, but I
know what respect means. I don't know that I condemned you, Alf; I spoke
for the most part of the discretion of your friend. Well, gentlemen,
here is where I leave you."

He threw the bridle reins over the horse's neck and was preparing to
mount, when Alf started forward as if to help him, but I clutched him so
vigorously that he turned upon me and asked what I meant. "Keep still,"
I whispered. "I'll tell you after a while."

By this time the old gentleman was astride his horse. He took off his
hat, bowed with the air of a cavalier, and, bidding us good-night,
galloped off down the road. Then I told Alf why I had held him back,
that I had almost insulted the old man by offering to assist h