"You let that boy alone," he said, in a low voice, and then aloud and
calmly: "I don't like this, but it's in deference to your customs. I don't call
names, and I allow nobody to call me names; and if I have another
fight," Reynolds was listening now, "it won't be with my fists."
"Well, Mister Man from Kentucky," said Abe, "I'd a damn sight ruther
you'd use a club on me than them fists; but there's others of us who
don't call names, and ain't called names; and some of us ain't easy
skeered, neither."
"I wasn't threatening," said Crittenden, quickly, "but I have heard a
good deal of that sort of thing flying around, and I don't want to get
into this sort of a thing again." He looked steadily at the soldier, but
the eye of Abraham Long quailed not at all. Instead, a smile broke over
his face.
"I got a drink waitin' fer you," he said; and Crittenden laughed.
"Git up an' shake hands, Jim," said Abe, sternly, to Crittenden's
opponent, "an' let's have a drink." Reynolds got up slowly.
"You gimme a damn good lickin,'" he said to Crittenden. "Shake!"
Crittenden shook, and seconds and principals started for Long's tent.
"Boys," he said to the others, "I'm sorry fer ye. I ain't got but four
drinks--and--" the old Sergeant was approaching; "and one more fer the
Governor."
Rivers smiled broadly when he saw Crittenden at noon.
"The 'Governor' told me," he said, "you couldn't do anything in this
regiment that would do you more good with officers and men. That fellow
has caused us more trouble than any other ten men in the regiment, and
you are the first man yet to get the best of him. If the men could elect
you, you'd be a lieutenant before to-morrow night."
Crittenden laughed.
"It was disgusting, but I didn't see any other way out of it."
Tattoo was sounded.
"Are you sure you can get me into the army at any time?"
"Easy--as a private."
"What regiment?"
"Rough Riders or Regulars."
"All right, then, I'll go to Kentucky for you."
"No, old man. I was selfish enough to think it, but I'm not selfish
enough to do it. I won't have it."
"But I want to go back. If I can get in at the last moment I should go
back anyhow to-night."