"But I can soon learn all about it." "A nice lieutenant you will make! Why don't you apply for the position of commander of her ?" "I am willing to take a subordinate position till I learn something about the business." "That's right! Be humble at first, and you will be great afterwards." "I should have been willing to go into the army as a captain, or even as a lieutenant; but I couldn't quite stand it to go in as a common soldier, while my brother made a beginning as a major." "I think I will not go any farther, Mr.Percy," said Christy, as he halted near the gate.
"Oh, don't leave me now, Mr.Pierson! We are half way to my father's house," Percy objected.
"I can't go any farther, for I may be wanted." "You will be safe enough, Mr.Pierson, My mother is at home, and she will be glad to see you." "I think I will not see your mother to-night," added Christy, as he turned, and began to retrace his steps towards the mansion of his uncle.
[Illustration: Four Men Sprang in Front of Him (Page 183)] They had halted in the road near the gate, and on both sides of it was a thick undergrowth of small trees and bushes; and in the shade of this foliage it had become quite dark.

Christy had not taken three steps before four men sprang out of the thicket in front of him, all of them armed with muskets, and wearing a uniform of gray.

Two placed themselves in front of Christy; while the other two rushed after Percy, who took to his heels as soon as he saw them.
The gate was an impediment to the latter; and before he could get over or through it, the two soldiers had laid violent hands on him.

He could offer no effectual resistance, and it was evident that he was frightened out of his wits; for he looked and acted like the ghost of despair itself.

The two men immediately tied his hands behind him; and, though they did not use any undue harshness, they did their work thoroughly.
Christy was even more astonished than his companion at this sharp discipline.