"Hero is no name for it, sir. He is a whole history full of heroes. On another occasion which I recall," cried the major, with enthusiasm, "on another occasion he was pursued by a lion around a circular path--he is a magnificent runner, the major is--and he ran so much faster than the lion that he soon caught up with his pursuer from the rear, and with one blow of his sword severed the raging beast's tail from his body. Then he sat down and waited until the lion got around to him again, his appetite increased so by the exercise he had taken that he would have eaten anything, and then what do you suppose that brave soldier did?" "What?" asked Jimmieboy, who had stopped laughing to listen. "He gave the hungry creature his own tail to eat, and then went home," returned the major. "Is that a true story?" asked the sprite. "Do you think I would tell an untrue story?" asked the major, angrily. "Not at all," said the sprite; "but if the major told it to you, it may have grown just a little bit every time you told it." "No, sir. That could not be, for I am Major Blueface himself," interrupted the major. "Then you are a brave man," said the sprite, "and I am proud to meet you." "Thank you," said the major, his frown disappearing and his pleasant smile returning. "I have heard that remark before; but it is always pleasant to hear. But what are you doing now, general?" he added, turning and addressing Jimmieboy. "I am still searching for the provisions, major," returned Jimmieboy. "The soldiers were so tired I hadn't the heart to command them to get them for me, as you said, so I am as badly off as ever." "I think you need a rest," said the major, gravely; "and while it is extremely important that the forces should be provided with all the canned goods necessary to prolong their lives, the health of the commanding officer is also a most precious consideration. As commander-in-chief why don't you grant yourself a ten years' vacation on full pay, and at the end of that time return to the laborious work you have undertaken, refreshed?" "But what becomes of the war?" asked Jimmieboy. "If I go off, there won't be any war." "No, but what of it?" replied the major. "That'll spite the enemy just as much as it will our side; and maybe he'll get so tired waiting for us to begin that he'll lie down and die or else give himself up." "Well, I don't know what to do," said Jimmieboy, very much perplexed. "What would you do?" he continued, addressing the sprite. "I'd hire some one else to take my place if I were you, and let him do the fighting and provisioning until you are all ready," said the sprite. "Yes, but whom can I hire?" asked the boy. "The Giant Fortyforefoot," returned the sprite. "He'd be just the man. He's a great warrior in the first place and a great magician in the second. He can do the most wonderful tricks you ever saw in all your life. For instance,