Part 33 (1/2)
”But I shall wait for yer; and, if yer don't step along lively, I'll let yer know how this cheese-knife feels.”
”Don't distress yourself to do anything of the sort,” said De Banyan; and he hobbled along on his new-made cane.
A walk of a few rods brought them to the road, where the commander of the company was impatiently awaiting their arrival. He looked daggers at the travelers, and evidently intended to annihilate them by the fierceness of his visage.
”Give an account of yourself,” said he.
”We're no account,” replied De Banyan.
”I've seen you before,” continued the cavalry commander, gazing intently at the captain.
”No; you saw me behind.”
”That sounds like you. Why, really, it is Barney Marvel.”
”Who?” demanded De Banyan with an expression of humor.
”Barney Marvel! Don't you know your own name? Give us your hand, Barney,”
added the officer, as he extended his own.
”Well, cap'n, perhaps I'm Barney what's-his-name; but, 'pon my word, I don't think I am;” and De Banyan wore a troubled expression, even to the eyes of his anxious companion.
”Don't be modest about it, Barney. You left us rather unceremoniously; but I hope you'll be able to show that it was all right.”
”'Pon my word it was all right, though I haven't the least idea what you mean.”
”Haven't you, indeed, Barney?” laughed the captain, who, in spite of his present happy manner, was evidently as much puzzled as the other party.
”'Pon my word, I haven't.”
”Do you mean to say you are not Barney Marvel, formerly a lieutenant in the Third Tennessee?”
”Not if I know it.”
”I suppose I understood your position, Barney; but I advise you not to deny facts.”
”I never deny facts, captain; you haven't told me your name yet.”
”No need of that. Now, be honest, Barney. Tell us all about it. There wasn't an officer in the regiment that didn't mourn you as a brother when you left us.”
”I'm very much obliged to them,” replied De Banyan lightly; but even Somers began to have some doubts in regard to his popular friend.
”How are Magenta, Solferino, and the Crimea, now-a-days?” demanded the officer.
”Never heard of such places. Don't know much about geography,” answered the captain.
Somers was confounded when the officer repeated these words, which was proof positive that he was the man whom the captain represented him to be.
”Sergeant, dismount, and tell me if you find B. M. on that man's right arm.”