al now. I couldn't keep my tongue still; that wouldn't be in
anyways possible. So I've let it run on oiled wheels on a thousand rum
tracks and doublings. I've told 'em such a lot of amazing stories about
where we come from, that they've got half a million different styles to
choose out of. Some thinks as how you're a Polish nob, what got into hot
water with the Russians; some as how you're a Italian prince, what
was cleaned out like Parma and them was; some as how you're a Austrian
Archduke that have cut your country because you was in love with the
Empress, and had a duel about her that scandalized the whole empire;
some as how you're a exiled Spanish grandee a-come to learn tactics and
that like, that you may go back, and pitch O'Donnell into the middle of
next week, whenever you see a chance to cut in and try conclusions with
him. Bless you, sir! you may let me alone for bamboozling of anybody."

The Corporal laughed again, as he began to unharness himself. There was
in him a certain mingling of insouciance and melancholy, each of which
alternately predominated; the former his by nature, the latter born of
circumstances.

"If you can outwit our friends the Zephyrs you have reached a height of
diplomacy indeed! I would not engage to do it myself. Take my word for
it, ingenuity is always dangerous--silence is always safe."

"That may be, sir," responded the Chasseur, in the sturdy English with
which his bright blue eyes danced a fitting nationality. "No doubt it's
uncommon good for them as can bring their minds to it--just like water
instead o' wine--but it's very trying, like the teetotalism. You might
as well tell a Newfoundland not to love a splash as me not to love a
chatter. I'd cut my tongue out sooner than say never a word that you
don't wish--but say something I must, or die for it."

With which the speaker, known to Algerian fame by the sobriquet of
"Crache-au-nez-d'la-Mort," from the hair-breadth escapes and reckless
razzias from which he had come out without a scratch, dropped on his
knees and began to take off the trappings of his fellow-soldier, with as
reverential a service as though he were a lord of the bedchamber serving
a Louis Quatorze. The other motioned him gently away.

"No, no! I have told you a thousand times we are comrades and equals
now."

"And I've told you a thousand times, sir, that we aren't, and never will
be, and don't oughtn't to be," replied the soldier doggedly, drawing
off the