"But that isn't any
of my business."
"You will be held responsible for it, sir!" protested Percy.
"Perhaps I shall; but I shall obey my orders," replied the soldier
doggedly.
"Who gave you your orders?" demanded Percy imperatively.
"Well, I don't belong to the class in catechism, and I don't answer all
the questions that are put to me."
"My father will have something to say about this business."
"He can say all he likes, but he need not say it to me; for I only obey
my orders, and I have nothing to do with giving them."
"What are you going to do with me?" asked Percy, when he found he could
make nothing of the sergeant.
"I don't know what they will do with you; but I reckon they won't
shoot you, as they might a fellow whose father was not a man of some
consequence," replied the sergeant, as he ordered one of his men to open
the gate.
"Shoot me!" exclaimed Percy, evidently appalled at the bare possibility
of such an event.
"I reckon they won't do that," added the soldier.
"This is my father's plantation, and my mother is in the house,"
continued Percy.
"She can stay there: we shall not meddle with her."
"But you are going to take me away from her."
"You look like a stout young fellow, and you ought to be able to get
along for a while without your mother," chuckled the sergeant. "You
belong in the army; and I reckon you will have to go back to it, in
spite of your mother."
"I don't belong to the army," protested Percy.
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