"I on'y spoke on't 'cause o' what ye said 'bout my not under-standin,"
said Reuben, excusing himself for having made a demand on the other's
compassion. "She never guv me no sech reasin ter think she set store
by me ez ye've hed ter night 'long o' Desire Edwards. I wuzn't a
comparin on us, nohow."
There was a space of silence finally disturbed by a noise of boots in
an adjoining room and presently Abner Rathbun stumped out. Abner had
escaped at the West Stockbridge rout and having made his way to Perez,
at Lee, had been forgiven his desertion by the latter and made his
chief lieutenant and adviser.
"Hello, Reub," he exclaimed. "Whar'd ye drop from? Heard so much
talkin, callated suthin must a happened, an turned out ter see what it
wuz. Fetched any news, hev ye Reub? Spit it aout. Guess it muss be
pooty good, or the cap'n would'n be lookin so darned pleased."
"The news I fetched is that the army in Stockbridge is going to attack
you to-morrow at dawn."
Abner's jaw fell. He looked from Reuben to Perez, whose face as he
gazed absently at the coals on the hearth still wore the smile which
had attracted his attention. This seemed to decide him, for as he
turned again to Reub, he said, shrewdly:
"Yew can't fool me with no gum-game o' that sort.
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