_Man_. Why not? he would be with you; and kindly would we treat him.
Indeed, without your father you would be nothing at all.

_Myself_. That's true; but I do not think he could be spared from his
regiment. I have heard him say that they could do nothing without him.

_Man_. His regiment! What are you talking about?--what does the child
mean?

_Myself_. What do I mean!--why, that my father is an officer-man at the
barracks yonder, keeping guard over the French prisoners.

_Man_. Oh! then that sap is not your father?

_Myself_. What, the snake? Why, no! Did you think he was?

_Man_. To be sure we did. Didn't you tell me so?

_Myself_. Why, yes; but who would have thought you would have believed
it? It is a tame one. I hunt vipers, and tame them.

_Man_. O-h!

'O-h!' grunted the woman, 'that's it, is it?'

The man and woman, who during this conversation had resumed their former
positions within the tent, looked at each other with a queer look of
surprise, as if somewhat disconcerted at what they now heard. They then
entered into discourse with each other in the same strange tongue which