lsome man, they would'a got some of
their necks twisted if I had seen occasion: in particular, I would have
taken some of mad Archy's crazy fits out of him--by my hand I would,
major! But I'll tell you,--I made one observation, that this here sort
of carrying false colors goes against a man's conscience: it doesn't
seem natural for a man, that's accustomed and willing to stand by his
words, to be heaping one lie upon top of another as fast as he can speak
them. It really, Major Butler, does go against my grain."

"That point of conscience," said Butler laughing, "has been duly
considered, and, I believe, we are safe in setting it down as entirely
lawful to use any deceit of speech to escape from an enemy in time of
war. We have a dangerous trade, sergeant, and the moralists indulge us
more than they do others: and as I am a minister, you know, you need not
be afraid to trust your conscience to my keeping."

"They allow that all's fair in war, I believe. But it don't signify, a
man is a good while before he gets used to this flat lying, for I can't
call it by any other name."

"If we should be challenged on this road, before we reach Wat Adair's,"
said Butler, "it is your opinion that we should say we are graziers
going to the mountains to buy cattle."

"That's about the best answer I can think of. Though you must be a
little careful about that. If you see me put my hand up to my mouth and
give a sort of a hem, major, then leave the answer to me. A gang of raw
lads might be easily imposed upon, but it wouldn't do if there's an old
sodger amongst them; he mought ax some hard questions."

"I know but little of this grazier craft to bear an examination. I fear
I should fare badly if one of these bullies should take it into his head
to cross-question me."

"If a man takes on too much with you," replied Robinson, "it is well to
be a little saucy to him. If he thinks you are for a quarrel, the
chances are he won't pester you. But if any of these Tories should only
take it into their heads, without our telling them right down in so many
words, for I would rather a lie, if it is to come out, should take a
roundabout way, that we are sent up here by Cornwallis, or Rawdon, or
Leslie, or any of their people to do an arrand, they will be as civil,
sir, as your grandmother's cat, for, major, they are a blasted set of
cringin' whelps, the best of them, and will take anything that has G. R.
marked on it with thanks, even if it wa