“Well, I suppose I shall be compelled to let you and Beelzebub go, but it will prove a serious loss to the cause of the South,” I said, my thoughts instantly turned by mention of the mule to matters of more importance. “I expect there will be lively times up your way.” “Ye kin jist bet thar will,” enthusiastically. “It'll be nip an' tuck, I reckon, but I 'm mighty hopeful o' Mariar. Thet dern muel he needs ter be took down a peg.” Ebers was eating all this time with an eagerness which plainly exhibited his fear lest I should call him to halt before he had entirely filled the aching void in his interior department. I could not fail to note the deep anxiety in his eyes as he watched me furtively. “Sergeant,” I said, and he started perceptibly. “I vos not yet done, Captain,” he implored. “Mein Gott, but I vos so hongry as never vos.” “Oh, eat all you please; I merely wished to question you a little. Did you send out a party to bring in our horses and the sabres?” “It vos all done already; der horses vos found und der swords. Yaw, I see to all dot; but I vos hongry, und vaited here to fill me op.” “How many men have we lost?” He checked them off on the tines of his fork, occasionally pausing to take a bite from the meat held in his other hand. “Der vos five kilt, Captain; dot vos it. I vos hit mit der ear off, und vos hongry as never vos; Sands is goin' to die, und maybe Elliott vill not get some better; some odders vos hurted, und der guide vos took brisoner.” “Taken prisoner?” “Dot is it, Captain; by Chiminy, he vos took by der ear by his voman und led in der house. Vot you calls dot, if he vos not brisoner, hay?” “Why, she is his wife.” “Veil, dot may be, too,” he insisted stoutly. “His frau, yaw, dot is it, but by Chiminy, he fights mit her yoost der same, und vos brisoner; und I vos vounded mit der ear off, und vos hongry as never vos.” “How many men does that leave us fit for duty?” I asked decisively, pushing back my plate and rising from the table. He counted them up with painful slowness, speaking each name deliberately, as if calling the roll. “Dere vos twelve, Captain, mit me, but I am not fit for duty widout I eat somedings first.” “That will do,” I said peremptorily. “You can have fifteen minutes more to complete filling up. In half an hour from now have the men ready for the road.” “But, Captain,” he protested, “I vould rattle so mit my insides, by Chiminy, dot der horse vould scare.” “Do exactly as I say, and no more words, Sergeant,” and I turned and left the room. We must depart, and at once. More than ever now I realized the necessity for haste. I hoped to meet the officer commanding the Federal detachment who had come to our aid, pay him the customary marks of respect, and get away without again coming in contact with Major Brennan. I felt myself pledged to this course of action.