"Here!"

"Fire Nose."

"Fire Nose yourself, Mister Disorderly!" replied another refractory
member, sullenly from the ranks.

"Well, let him pass. That's a cross-grained devil," said the captain,
aside to Peppercorn. "I'll bring that chap into order yet, the d----d
mutineering back hanger! Pass him."

"Screech Owl."

"Here!"

"That's a decent, good-natured Screech Owl," said Peppercorn. "Clapper
Claw! Bow Legs!"

"Both here."

"They are all here, most comfortable Captain, all good fellows and true,
and as ready to follow you into the belly of an earthquake as go to
supper, it is all the same to them."

"Let them follow where I lead, Peppercorn; that is all I ask, said
Habershaw significantly.

"You have forgot one name on your roll, Mister Orderly," said he who had
been written down by the name of Fire Nose.

"Whose was that?"

"You forgot Captain Moonface Bragger--captain of the squad."

"Gideon Blake!" shouted Habershaw, with a voice choked by anger, until
it resembled the growl of a mastiff, whilst, at the same time, he drew
his sword half out of the scabbard. "Howsever, it is very well," he
said, restraining his wrath and permitting the blade to drop back into
its sheath. "Another time, sir. I have marked you, you limb of a
traitor. May all the devils ride over me if I don't drive a bullet
through your brain if you ever unfringe my discipline again! Yes, you
foul-mouthed half-whig, I have had my suspicions of you before to-day.
So look to yourself. A fine state of things when skunks like you can be
setting up a mutiny in the service! Take care of yourself, sir, you know
me. Now, my lads, to business. Remember the orders I issued at the
Dogwood Spring, this morning. This Whig officer must be taken dead or
alive, and don't be chicken-hearted about it. Give him the lead--give
him the lead! As to the lusty fellow that rides with him--big Horse
Shoe--have a care of him; that's a dog that bites without barking. But
be on the watch that they don't escape you again. Since we missed them
at the spring they have cost us a hard ride to head them here, so let
them pay for it. See that they are well into the ford before you show
yourselves. Wait for orders from me, and if I fall by the fortune of
war, take your orders from Peppercorn. If by chance we should miss them
at the river, push for Christie's; Wat has taken care that they shall
make for that, to-night. If any of you, by mistake, you understand me,
take