Annie Oakley is the only one who can do
that."
"Well, my nerves are frayed out. I've argued myself hoarse, but he
misconstrues everything I say. I wish you'd convince him that he
has a chance to get well; it might alter his disposition. If
SOMETHING doesn't alter it I'll be court-martialed for shooting a
man in his sleep--and I'll hit him, right in the middle, no matter
how slim he is." O'Reilly compressed his lips firmly.
The asistente, who had finished rolling his cigar, now lighted it
and repeated: "Yes, sir, Meester Branch is the bravest man I ever
seen. You remember that first battle, eh? Those Spaniards seen him
comin' and threw down their guns and beat it. Jesus Cristo! I
laugh to skill myself that day."
"Jacket" was at once the youngest and the most profane member of
Colonel Lopez's entire command. The most shocking oaths fell from
his beardless lips whenever he opened them to speak English, and
O'Reilly's efforts to break the boy of the habit proved quite
unavailing.
"Colonel Miguel," continued Jacket, "he say if he's got a hunnerd
sick men like El Demonio he'll march to Habana. By God! What you
think of that?"
Judson rolled in his hammock until his eyes rested upon the youth.
Then he said, "You're quite a man of arms yourself, for a half-
portion."
"Eh?" The object of this remark was not quite sure that he
understood.
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