Never did a poor silly puppy more completely take the wrong sow by the ear,
than did Mr. captain Johnson, in thus tampering with lieutenant Charnock.
For Charnock, though remarkably good natured and polite among men of honor,
could not bear the least approach of any thing that looked like rascality.
Immediately, therefore, on hearing this infamous proposition,
he brought Johnson into the dining room where Marion and myself were sitting,
and, in his presence, told us the whole affair.

Oh that my young countrymen could all have been there,
that they might have seen what a pale trembling, pitiful figure
a detected rascal makes! I am sure they could never have lost
that blessed moment's impression in favor of truth and honor.

After much swallowing, Johnson, however, at last, got the better
of his conscience, and came on with a stout denial of the fact.
Whereupon Charnock, snatching a pair of pistols, ordered him
to take one and fight him on the spot. This being refused,
the furious lieutenant instantly fell upon him with a cane.
Sensible that Johnson had very richly deserved this ignominious chastisement,
we gave him up to Charnock, who thrashed him very soundly,
until, falling on his knees, he roared out for quarter.
Charnock then ordered him to be gone, but with the severest threats
in case the recruits were not forthcoming at the appointed time.

On the morrow they came, and "let the cat out of the bag." It appeared then,
that that most worthless fellow, Johnson, had told the poor simple recruits
such dreadful stories about the war, that in their fright they had offered him
all their cows and calves to get them off!