Page:The Partisan (revised).djvu/32

 "Why do you call me captain?" demanded the youth, sternly.

"Bless me, don't be angry, squire; but didn't you say you was a captain?" apologetically replied Humphries.

"I did not."

"Well, bless me, but I could have sworn you did&mdash;now didn't he, gentlemen?&mdash;sergeant, did'nt you hear&mdash;"

"It matters not," the stranger interrupted; "it matters not. You were mistaken, and these gentlemen need not be appealed to.  Have my horse cared for, if you please.  He has come far and fast to-day, and will need a good rubbing.  Give him fodder now, but no corn for an hour."

"It shall be done, captain."

"Hark'ee, my friend," said the youth angrily, "you will not style me captain again, unless you would have more than you can put up with. I am no captain, no colonel, no commander of any sort, and unless you give me the troops, am not willing to wear the title.  So, understand me."

"Ask pardon, squire; but it comes so common&mdash;ask pardon, sir;" and the landlord shuffled off, as he spoke, to see after his business. As he retired, Sergeant Hastings made up to the new comer, and with all the consequence of one having a certain portion of authority, and accustomed to a large degree of deference from those around him, proceeded to address the youth on the subject matter of his momentary annoyance.

"And with your leave, young master, where's the harm in being captain or colonel? I don't see that there's any offence in it."

"None, none in the world, sir, in being captain or colonel, but some, I take it, in being styled such undeservedly. The office is good enough, and I have no objections to it; but I have no humour to be called by any nickname."

"Nickname&mdash;why, d&mdash;n it, sir&mdash;why, what do you mean? Do you pretend that it's a nickname to be called an officer in his majesty's troops, sir?  If you do, sir&mdash;" and the sergeant concluded his swaggering speech with a most stormy stare.

"Pistols and daggers! most worthy officer in his majesty's troops, do not look so dangerous," replied the youth very coolly. He saw at a glance the sort of Hector with whom he had to deal, and