General Jackson hesitated, expressing some doubts of Sam's qualifications for so delicate a task.

He feared that so young a person might lack the coolness and discretion necessary, and said so.

To all of this Tandy replied:-- "You'd trust the job to me, if I could walk, wouldn't you, giner'l ?" "Certainly; no other man would be half so good." "Well then, giner'l, lem me tell you, that Sam Hardwicke is Tandy Walker, spun harder an' finer, made out'n better wool, doubled an' twisted, and _mighty keerfully waxed_ into the bargain.

He's a smart one, if there ever was one.

He's edicated too, an' knows books like a school teacher.