ith food, a man being deputed to attend to
their wants, and this done, the young officer strolled off to the edge
of the woodland, where the road could be seen east and west, and stood
there watching for the first approach of danger.

His thoughts were divided between his charge and Scar's blow and
insulting, contemptuous conduct, which rankled bitterly, for he could
not help feeling that the men would judge him according to their lights;
and, think of the matter how he would, he felt that he had placed
himself at a disadvantage.

"If I had only struck him back I wouldn't have cared."

"Thought that over, sir?"

Fred started, and turned to find that Samson had followed him and
approached over the soft moist ground beneath the trees unheard.

"Thought that over?" faltered the young officer.

"Yes, sir. Here's a splendid place for it just below among the big
trees. Nice bit of open turf, quite soft for when you tumble down; and
it would just please the men to see my young dandy cockerel's comb cut
after what he did for you."

"Samson, you are talking nonsense. After serving so long in the army,
you ought to know something of what an officer's duties are."

"No, sir; I shall never learn nothing about dooties. I can fight,
because it comes nat'ral to a man, and I'm obliged to; but I shall never
make a good soldier."

"You don't know, then, what you are saying."

"Oh yes, I do, sir; and I know what the men are saying; and if you won't
fight, it must be me, for there's bound to be a rumpus if they go on
saying you behaved as if you had a white feather in your cap."

"Who dared to say that?"

"Several of 'em, sir; and I wouldn't hit out, because I thought you
would think better of it and fight."

Fred turned away angrily.

"Well, sir, I can't help speaking plainly; and I thought it better to
tell you what the lads are saying about it."

"I cannot help what they say, sir; I am doing my duty. Now go back to
yours."

"Yes, captain; but don't be angry with your old servant as followed you
to the wars. Give me leave to fight Nat, and that will be something."

"Impossible, sir."

"But it would keep the men's tongues quiet, sir. Just about a quarter
of an hour would do for me to thrash him, and it would be all right
afterwards. The men wouldn't talk so much about you."

Fred marched up and down without a word.

"You see, sir, it's like this. Young Master Scar Markham's bouncing
about and ordering an