braith," replied Butler, with animation, "that there
is a bird nestles in these woods, I was fond of hearing sing, would it
be unsoldier-like, think you, to make a harder ride and a larger circuit
for that gratification?"

"Oh! I understand, major," said Horse Shoe, laughing, "whether it be
peace or whether it be war, these women keep the upper hand of us men.
For my part, I think it's more natural to think of them in war than in
peace. For, you see, the creatures are so helpless, that if a man don't
take care of them, who would? And then, when a woman's frightened, as
she must be in these times, she clings so naturally to a man! It stands
to reason!"

"You will keep my counsel, Galbraith," interrupted Butler, "I have a
reason which, perhaps, you may know by and by, why you should not speak
of any thing you may see or hear. And now, as we have spent a good hour
in refreshment, sergeant, make our horses ready. We'll take the road
again."

Robinson promised caution in all matters that might be committed to his
charge, and now set himself about saddling the horses for the journey.
Whilst he was engaged in this occupation, Butler was startled to hear
the sergeant abruptly cry out--"You devil, Captain Peter Clinch! what
are you about?" and, looking hastily around, saw no one but the trusty
squire himself, who was now sedately intent upon thrusting the bit into
his horse's mouth,--a liberty which the animal seemed to resent by
sundry manifestations of waywardness.

"To whom are you talking, Galbraith?"

"Only to this here contrary, obstropolous beast, major."

"What name did you call him by?" inquired Butler.

"Ha, ha, ha! was it that you was listening too?" said Horse Shoe. "I
have christened him Captain Peter--sometimes Captain Peter Clinch. I'll
tell you why. I am a little malicious touching the name of my horse.
After the surrender of Charlestown, our regiment was put in the charge
of a provost marshal, by the name of Captain Clinch, and his first name
was Peter. He was a rough, ugly, wiry-haired fellow, with no better
bowels than a barrel of vinegar. He gave us all sorts of ill usage,
knowing that we wa'n't allowed to give him the kind of payment that such
an oncomfortable fellow desarved to get. If ever I had met him again,
major, _setters parbus_--as Lieutenant Hopkins used to say--which is
lingo, I take it, for a fair field, I would'a cudgelled his pate for
him, to the satisfaction of all good fellows. Well, w