self. "By
the way, they say that it was for you Garibaldi intended the promotion
to the rank of officer, but that you managed to pass it to this fellow,
who could n't sign his name when they asked him for it."

"If he could n't write, he has left his mark on some of the
Neapolitans!" said Tony, fiercely; "and as for the advancement, he
deserved it far more than I did."

"It was a lucky thing for that aide-de-camp of Filangieri who
accompanied me here, that your friend Rory had n't got two legs, for
he wanted to brain him with his crutch. Both of you had an antipathy to
him, and indeed I own to concurring in the sentiment. My godfather you
called him!" said he, laughing.

"I wish he had come a little closer to my bedside, that's all," muttered
Tony; and Skeff saw by the expression of his features that he was once
more unfortunate in his attempt to hit upon an unexciting theme.

"Alice knew of your journey here, I think you said?" whispered Tony,
faintly.

"Yes. I sent them a few lines to say I was setting out to find you."

"How soon could I get to Naples? Do you think they would let me move
to-morrow?"

"I have asked that question already. The doctor says in a week; and I
must hasten away to-night,--there's no saying what confusion my absence
will occasion. I mean to be back here by Thursday to fetch you."

"Good fellow! Remember, though," added he, after a moment, "we must take
Rory. I can't leave Rory here."

Skeff looked gravely.

"He carried _me_ when I was wounded out of the fire at Melazzo, and I am
not going to desert him now."

"Strange situation for her Majesty's Charge d'Affaires," said
Skeff,--"giving protection to the wounded of the rebel army."

"Don't talk to me of rebels. We are as legitimate as the fellows we were
fighting against. It was a good stand-up fight, too,--man to man, some
of it; and if it was n't that my head reels so when I sit or stand up, I
'd like to be at it again."

"It is a fine bull-dog,--just a bull-dog," said Skeff, patting him on
the head, while in the compassionate pity of his voice he showed how
humbly he ranked the qualities he ascribed to him. "Ah! now I remember
what it was _I_ wished to ask you (it escaped me till this moment): who
is the creature that calls himself Sam M'Gruder?"

"As good a fellow as ever stepped, and a true friend of mine. What of
him?"

"Don't look as if you would tear me in pieces, and scatter the fragments
to the four winds of heaven