But the Colonel did not trouble his head about their conjectures.

He only laughed at their curious inquiries, and remained on as good terms as ever.

His boys, too, as they grew up became great favourites with all.

They were the best shots of their age, could ride a horse with any, could swim the Mississippi, paddle a canoe, fling a lasso, or spear a catfish, as though they had been full-grown men.

They were, in fact, boy-men; and as such were regarded by the simple villagers, who instinctively felt the superiority which education and training had given to these youths over their own uneducated minds.