"I only did what I could not help doing." "No matter if you did; it was the right thing to do, and it was done at precisely the right instant.

A moment's delay would have brought the whole force of the enemy down upon you.

It was absolutely wonderful how you got that gun off in such a short space of time.

I report Captain Rombold's words to you." "He is a magnanimous gentleman," said Christy.
"He says, too, that a dozen muskets and revolvers were discharged at you, and it is a miracle that only one bullet struck you." "I found a bullet-hole in my cap, and two more in the skirt of my coat," added the patient with a smile, as he pointed to his coat and cap.
"But we are off the subject; and I was only trying to show that you are entitled to a furlough," said the commander; but the discussion was continued for some time longer, though Christy consented to be sent home in the end.
The thought of going to Bonnydale was exceedingly pleasant to him, and he allowed his mind to dwell upon each member of the family, and to picture in his imagination the greeting they would all give him.

Not to the members of his family alone did he confine his thoughts; for they included the beautiful Bertha Pembroke, whom, with her father, he had taken from the cabin of a cotton steamer he had captured.