There was nothing he was not willing to promise if only his life were only spared.
"Wouldn't hit be better ter bay'net him ?" suggested one of the Rebels, entirely unmoved, as his comrades were, by Jake's piteous pleadings.
"Ef we go ter shootin' 'round yere hit'll liekly bring the Yankees right onter us." "I 'spect hit would be better ter take him back a little ways, any way," said the man whom Jake had pursued.

"Pick up his gun thar, Eph.

Come along, you, an' be monty peart about hit, fur we're in a powerful bad frame o' mind ter be fooled with.

I wouldn't gin a fi'-penny-bit fur all yer blue-bellied life's worth.

The boys ar jest pizen mad from seein' so many o' thar kin and folks killed by yer crowd o' thievin' Hessians." Grateful for even a momentary respite, Jake rose from his knees with alacrity and humbly followed one of the Rebels along the path.