osition Bill, Dick," said my father; "I thought you would
bring him out."
"All's right," replied Dick; "hope he aren't affronted; but he looks
very black this morning."
"Now let every man lake off his full bumper,
Let every man take off his full bowl;
For we will be jolly
And drown melancholy,
With a health to each jovial and true-hearted soul."
"Now, then, Billy, fire away."
"You tink I 'bey your order, you Dick? No, sar, suppose I fire away, I
go off. I not go off, I stay here."
"Well, but if you play, you'll get in trouble, Billy."
"How I get in trouble?"
"Why, you'll get in a scrape, won't you?"
"Ho! you just got out of one, anyhow."
Dick Harness then said to those who sat by him, "I'll make him sing the
Negro General."
"Well, if you will howl, Mr. Billy," cried out Harness, "at all events
don't give us that abominable Nigger General. It always gives me the
toothache."
"Now I tink dat very fine song; so you may have whole jaw-ache for all I
care. I sing dat, Mr. Dick; you jealous of dat song, I know."
Opposition Billy flourished a little, and then commenced--
"Listen, my boys, and I will tell you
Tell you a leetle 'bout Gin'ral Gabriel.
Oh-e-oh! Oh-e-oh!
"Dey advertise de Nigger Gin'ral,
A dousand pounds dey advertise him.
Oh, my boys, I'm most done!
"And who betrayed de Nigger Gin'ral?
A leetle boy betrayed de Gin'ral.
Oh-e-oh! Oh-e-oh!
"A leetle boy by de name of Daniel,
Betrayed him down at Norfolk Landing.
Oh, my boys, I'm most done!
"He says, how do, my uncle Gabriel?
But dis is not your uncle Gabriel.
Oh-e-oh! Oh-e-oh!
"Yes, it is my uncle Gabriel;
For I do know you, uncle Gabriel.
Oh, my boys, I'm most done!
"De man belonged to Major Prosser,
So cum and hang de Nigger Gin'ral.
Oh-e-oh! Oh-e-oh!
"For he's ruined old Virginny!
_Hard times_ in old Virginny.
Oh, my boys, I'm most done!
"Dey wrote a letter to de tailor,
To cut out de Gin'ral's ruffles.
Oh-e-oh! Oh-e-oh!
"Dey cut de ruffles out o' _iron_!
So they handcuff and chained him.
Oh, my boys, I'm most done!
"Dey went and called a troop of light horse
To come and guard de Nigger Gin'ral!
Oh-e-oh! Oh-e-oh!
"To guard him
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