The rest of the crew sprang from the grass, and followed the example set them by their comrade, roaring out the pledge until the woods rang with their vociferation. "Peace! you rapscallions!" screamed the captain. "Have you so little notion where you are, that you bellow like bulls? Is this your discipline, when you should be as silent as cats in a kitchen, hellhound! And you, you coarse-throated devil, Beauty," he said as he kicked his dog, that had contributed to the chorus with a loud sympathetic howl, "you must be breaking the laws of service guard with your infernal roar, like the other fools of the pack. Be still, puppy!" The clamor upon this rebuke ceased, and the bull-dog crouched again at his master's feet. "Isn't it time that we were at the ford? Oughtn't our friends to be near at hand?" inquired Peppercorn. "Black Jack will give us notice," replied Habershaw. "Depend upon him. I have thought of everything like a man that knows his business. I have sent that rascal up the road, with orders to feel the enemy; and I'll undertake he'll clink it back when he once lays eyes on them, as fast as four legs will carry him. But it is always well to be beforehand, Peppercorn. Learn that from me: I never in my campaigns knowed any harm done by being too early. So, Master Orderly, call the roll." "Ready, sir; always ready when you command," answered Peppercorn. "Shall I call the ragamuffins by their nicknames, or will you have them handled like christians." "On secret service," said Habershaw, "it is always best to use them to their nicknames." "As when they go horse-stealing, or house-burning, or throat-cutting," interrupted Peppercorn. "Order, sir, no indecencies! do you hear? Go on with your roll, if you have got it by heart. Be musical, dog!" "Faith will I, most consummate captain! It is just to my hand: I'll sing you like a bagpipe. I have learnt the rollcall handsomely, and can go through it as if it were a song." "Begin then: the time is coming when we must move. I think I hear Black Jack's horse breaking through the bushes now." "Attention, you devil's babies, the whole of you!" shouted Peppercorn. "Horse and gun, every mother's imp of you!" In a moment the idlers sprang to their weapons and mounted their horses. "Answer to your names," said the orderly; "and see that you do it discreetly. Pimple!" "Here," answered one of the disorderly crew, with a laugh. "Silence in the ranks!" cried Habershaw, "or, by the blood of your bodies, I'll make my whinger acquainted with your hearts!" "Long Shanks." "Here! if you mean me," said another. "Good! Black Jack." "On patrole," said the captain. "Red Mug." "At the book," answered the man in the ranks; and here rose another laugh. "Red Mug! do you mind me?" said Habershaw, in a threatening tone, as his eye squinted fiercely towards the person addressed. "Platter Breech."