Strange what fancies take possession of one! Patrick, as he _had_ a watch, and had by this time learned the mysterious art of telling the time, was not the man to answer such a question as this at random.
"Hould my gun, cap'n," he said, "till I sthrike a light." Fancy a sentinel asking an officer to hold his gun! I knew enough of military discipline to make me tremble at the thought of what would become of my unceremonious master.
But the officer, instead of flying into a rage, took the rifle and laughed.

That laugh reminded me more than ever of Randlebury.
"You're a pretty fellow," he said.

"Is that the manners they teach you at home." "I axe yer pardon, colonel, but--" Here the officer laughed again--and oh! how my heart beat as I heard him.

"If I stay here much longer I shall get promoted to general, I suppose," said he.

"Look sharp and tell me the time." Patrick, without another word, produced a light.