demanded Boyd.

“The country is of great extent,” said the man mildly. “It would require many troops to cover it. And His Excellency has very, very few.”

“Yes,” said Boyd, “that is true. We know how it is in the North — with hundreds of miles to guard and but a handful of men. And it must be that way.” He made no effort to throw off his seriousness and nodded toward me with a forced smile. “I am twenty-two years of age,” he said, “and Mr. Loskiel here is no older, and we fully expect that when we both are past forty we will still be fighting in this same old war. Meanwhile,” he added laughing, “every patriot should find some lass to wed and breed the soldiers we shall require some sixteen years hence.”