They have promised to do so next time." "Are there no troops here ?" "Yes, sir." "What troops ?" "Colonel Thomas's Regiment and Sheldon's Horse and the Minute Men." "Well, what the devil are they about to permit this banditti to terrify and ravage a peaceful land ?" demanded Boyd.
"The country is of great extent," said the man mildly.

"It would require many troops to cover it.

And His Excellency has very, very few." "Yes," said Boyd, "that is true.

We know how it is in the North--with hundreds of miles to guard and but a handful of men.

And it must be that way." He made no effort to throw off his seriousness and nodded toward me with a forced smile.