"It would do no good.
We're as much in earnest as you are about it, and we have beaten you.

You belong to the army, but these are not enlisted men, and you're not carrying out any orders." "That part of the argument is plain," rejoined the young officer.
"But you are mistaken if you think you can order me.

I'm an officer, and I'm on my own way, and I am, therefore, under orders.
I was following a prisoner late in my charge when I fell in with this party bound up the river, to the Kansas front." "The courts may take all that up.

This is Missouri soil." "It's no case for courts," answered the other sternly.

"This will come before the court of God Himself." A bitter smile played over the face of the Missourian.