No; quite the contrary.
A dish of pickled salmon, a side of cold turkey, a plate of sliced tongue, with a fine Virginia ham, were the striking features of the major's supper, while a handsome French coffee-urn, containing the essence of Mocha, simmered upon the table.

Out of this the major from time to time replenished his silver cup.

A bottle of _eau-de-vie_, that stood near his right hand, assisted him likewise in swallowing his ample ration.
"Major Blossom, I presume ?" said I.
"My name," ejaculated the major, between two swallows, so short and quick that the phrase sounded like a monosyllable.
"I have received orders to report to you, sir." "Ah! bad business! bad business!" exclaimed the major, qualifying the words with an energetic oath.
"How, sir ?" "Atrocious business! dangerous service! Can't see why they sent me." "I came, Major, to inquire the nature of the service, so that I may have my men in order for it." "Dangerous service!" "It is ?" "Infernal cut-throats! thousands of 'em in the bushes--bore a man through as soon as wink.

Those yellow devils are worse than--!" and again the swearing major wound up with an exclamation not proper to be repeated.
"Can't see why they picked _me_ out.

There's Myers, and Wayne, and Wood, not half my size, and that thin scare-the-crows Allen; but no--the general wants _me_ killed.