Hereafter, if Satan himself should approach them in darkness and storm, they will take _him_ for "de Cunnel," and treat him with special severity.
January 13.
In many ways the childish nature of this people shows itself.

I have just had to make a change of officers in a company which has constantly complained, and with good reason, of neglect and improper treatment.
Two excellent officers have been assigned to them; and yet they sent a deputation to me in the evening, in a state of utter wretchedness.

"We's bery grieved dis evening, Cunnel; 'pears like we couldn't bear it, to lose de Cap'n and de Lieutenant, all two togeder." Argument was useless; and I could only fall back on the general theory, that I knew what was best for them, which had much more effect; and I also could cite the instance of another company, which had been much improved by a new captain, as they readily admitted.

So with the promise that the new officers should not be "savage to we," which was the one thing they deprecated, I assuaged their woes.

Twenty-four hours have passed, and I hear them singing most merrily all down that company street.
I often notice how their griefs may be dispelled, like those of children, merely by permission to utter them: if they can tell their sorrows, they go away happy, even without asking to have anything done about them.