I congratulate you, sir." Captain Prescott had a way of repeating his remarks, while his radiant face was all aglow with his hearty good-humor, that was irresistibly contagious in itself.

His jovial kindness won every heart, and he was almost idolized by his men.
"A happy turn, indeed; but, Captain, I am somewhat surprised to see you here," said Lieutenant Canfield as he grasped the offered hand.
"Ah! yes, I haven't explained that yet; but the fact is, Lieutenant, you hadn't been gone two hours--not two hours--when the General told me I was to take charge of the garrison at the settlement, where my wife and daughter now are.

I wasn't sorry to hear that--not sorry to hear that, and as you were to be Lieutenant, I didn't think it would be unpleasant to you either to be located so near our family--not unpleasant at all, eh, Lieutenant ?" "Nothing, certainly, could be more agreeable to me," replied the gallant young fellow, blushing deeply at the looks which were turned upon him.
"Glad to hear it! glad to hear it! Well, sir, I started right off--right straight off, and tried my best to overtake you, but, bless me, I might as well have tried to run away from my own shadow, as to catch up with a young chap when he is in love.

I got to the settlement yesterday, toward night, and the first thing I heard was that my house had been burned, and my sweet little darling Mary there, either killed or carried off a prisoner.

I felt bad about that," added the Captain, wiping his eyes with his handkerchief, but smiling all the while, "yes, I won't deny I felt a little bad about that.