wouldn't do such a thing
on purpose, when I was obliged to almost knock out my own brains to do
it," said Joe, apologetically.

"If I hadn't thought of that," replied Sneak, "I don't know but I
should've shot you through when I got up."

"And I should never have blamed you for it," said Joe, "if it had been
done on purpose. Does it hurt you much now?"

"Don't you see how its bleeding?"

"That's gravy running out of your mouth, ain't it?"

"Yes, but its bloody a little," said Sneak, licking his lips.

"I shall have to sit up and sleep," said Joe; "for my head's so sore I
can't lie down."

"I'm a going to lay my head on this stool and sleep; and I'm getting
so drowsy I can't set much longer," said Sneak.

"All'll be square between us, about breaking your tooth, won't it?"

"Yes, I can't bear malice," said Sneak, shaking Joe's extended hand.

"Oh me!" said Joe, "I shan't be able to doze a bit, hardly, for trying
to study out how the old musket came to kick me so."

"I've got a notion to tell you, jest to see if you'll sleep any
better, then."

"Do you know?" asked Joe, quickly; "if you do, I'll thank you with all
my heart to tell me?"

"Dod! if I don't!" said Sneak; "but all's square betwixt us?"

"Yes, if you're willing."

"Well, don't you remember when I told you to count the Indians
standing out there, I leant agin you to look over your shoulder? I
stole a cartrich out of your shot-bag then, and slipt it in the muzzle
of your musket. Don't you know it was leaning agin the post?"

Joe turned round and looked Sneak full in the face for several
moments, without uttering a word.

"When it went off," continued Sneak, "it made the tremendousest crack
I ever heard in all my life, except when the keg of powder busted."

"You confounded, blasted rascal you!" exclaimed Joe, doubling up his
fists, and preparing to assault his friend.

"Now don't go to waking up the folks!" said Sneak.

"I'll be hanged if I hain't got a great notion to wear out the iron
poker over your head!" continued Joe, his eyes gleaming with rage.

"Look at my tooth," said Sneak, grinning in such manner that the
remaining fragment of the member named could be distinctly seen. The
ludicrous expression of his features was such as constrained Joe to
smile, and his enmity vanished instantaneously.

"I believe you got the worst of the bargain, after all," said Joe,
falling back in his chair and laughing quite heartily.

"You know," con