CHAPTER THREE.
A VOLUNTEER RENDEZVOUS.
"Now, Cap," said Lincoln, as we seated ourselves at the table of a cafe, "I'll answer t'other question yur put last night.

I wur up on the head of Arkansaw, an' hearin' they wur raisin' volunteers down hyur, I kim down ter jine.

It ain't often I trouble the settlements; but I've a mighty _puncheon_, as the Frenchmen says, to hev a crack at them yeller-bellies.

I hain't forgot a mean trick they sarved me two yeern ago, up thar by Santer Fe." "And so you have joined the volunteers ?" "That's sartin.

But why ain't you a-gwine to Mexico?
That 'ere's a wonder to me, cap, why you ain't.