I can't afford to take chances, Tommy.

But I don't put nicks in my rifle butt like some of them do.

I don't want to know how many I beaned after it's all over.

We kill to save--that's the idea you want to get into your head, Tommy boy." "I know it," said Tom.
The officer had no papers of any importance and since it was getting dark and Tom must report at headquarters, they discussed the possibility of upsetting these murderous hogsheads, and putting an end to the danger.

Evidently the woods were not yet wholly cleared of the enemy who might still seek to make use of these agents of destruction.
"There may be stragglers in the woods even to-morrow," Roscoe said.
"S'pose we dig a little trench running away from the brook and then turn on the cock and let the stuff flow off ?" suggested Tom.
The idea seemed a good one and they fell to, hewing out a ditch with a couple of sticks.