He knew nothing of the wide difference of opinion which had suddenly become apparent between his father and his uncle, and he was sure that the latter could soon effect his release.
"This is an outrage!" exclaimed Percy, who perhaps felt that it was necessary for him to say something, now that Christy had come within hearing distance.
"Perhaps it is, Mr.Pierson," replied the sergeant.

"But that isn't any of my business." "You will be held responsible for it, sir!" protested Percy.
"Perhaps I shall; but I shall obey my orders," replied the soldier doggedly.
"Who gave you your orders ?" demanded Percy imperatively.
"Well, I don't belong to the class in catechism, and I don't answer all the questions that are put to me." "My father will have something to say about this business." "He can say all he likes, but he need not say it to me; for I only obey my orders, and I have nothing to do with giving them." "What are you going to do with me ?" asked Percy, when he found he could make nothing of the sergeant.
"I don't know what they will do with you; but I reckon they won't shoot you, as they might a fellow whose father was not a man of some consequence," replied the sergeant, as he ordered one of his men to open the gate.
"Shoot me!" exclaimed Percy, evidently appalled at the bare possibility of such an event.
"I reckon they won't do that," added the soldier.
"This is my father's plantation, and my mother is in the house," continued Percy.
"She can stay there: we shall not meddle with her." "But you are going to take me away from her." "You look like a stout young fellow, and you ought to be able to get along for a while without your mother," chuckled the sergeant.

"You belong in the army; and I reckon you will have to go back to it, in spite of your mother." "I don't belong to the army," protested Percy.
"Well, they call you a deserter, anyhow." Percy seemed to be overcome by this statement, and Christy thought there was something more of his story than he had told on board of the Bellevite.

It was possible, after all, that Major Pierson was not as much of a brute as be had appeared to be.

But, if his companion was a deserter, he certainly did not come under that head himself, and he could not understand why he had been arrested.
"I suppose you don't claim me as a deserter, do you ?" asked Christy good-naturedly.
"I don't think they do," replied the sergeant, as pleasantly as he had spoken himself.
"Then, why do you arrest me ?" "My orders were to arrest any person with Mr.Pierson; and that is all I know about your case, and I am very sorry to give you any annoyance.
Things are a little mixed, and I hope they will soon get them levelled down.