but the heft on't makes it bad tew kerry raound, so I took this. I
don't tote it abaout inside my shirt as some dew,--it aint my way;
but I keep it in my puss long with my other valleu'bles, and guess I
set as much stoxe by it as ef it was all painted up, and done off to
keell."

The "silly-hoot" was examined with interest, and carefully stowed
away again in the old brown wallet which was settled in its place
with a satisfied slap, then Flint said briskly,--

"Naouw, Phil, yeou close this interestin' and instructive meeting;
and be spry, fer time's most up."

"I haven't much to tell, but must begin with a confession which I
have often longed but never dared to make before, because I am a
coward."

"Sho! who's goan to b'leeve that o' a man who fit like a wild cat,
wuz offered fer permotion on the field, and wuz reported tew
headquarters arfter his fust scrimmage. Try ag'in, Phil."

"Physical courage is as plentiful as brass buttons, nowadays, but
moral courage is a rarer virtue; and I'm lacking in it, as I'll
prove. You think me a Virginian; I'm an Alabamian by birth, and was
a reb three months ago."

This confession startled his hearers, as he knew it would, for he
had kept his secret well. Thorn laid his hand involuntarily upon his
rifle, Dick drew off a little, and Flint illustrated one of his own
expressions, for he "gawped." Phil laughed that musical laugh of