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How do you think the regment ll do? Oh, theyll fight all right, I guess, after they once get into it, said the other with cold judgment. He made a fine use of the third person. Theres been heaps of fun poked at em because theyre new, of course, and all that; but theyll fight all right, I guess. Think any of the boys ll run? persisted the youth. Oh, there may be a few of em run, but theres them kind in every regiment, specially when they first goes under fire, said the other in a tolerant way. Of course it might happen that the hull kit-and-boodle might start and run, if some big fighting came first-off, and then again they might stay and fight like fun. But you cant bet on nothing. Of course they aint never been under fire yet, and it aint likely theyll lick the hull rebel army all-to-oncet the first time; but I think theyll fight better than some, if worse than others. Thats the way I figger. They call the regment Fresh fish and everything; but the boys come of good stock, and most of em ll fight like sin after they oncet git shootin, he added, with a mighty emphasis on the last four words. Oh, you think you know began the loud soldier with scorn. The other turned savagely upon him. They had a rapid altercation, in which they fastened upon each other various strange epithets. The youth at last interrupted them. Did you ever think you might run yourself, Jim? he asked. On concluding the sentence he laughed as if he had meant to aim a joke. The loud soldier also giggled. The tall private waved his hand. Well, said he profoundly, Ive thought it might get too hot for Jim Conklin in some of them scrimmages, and if a whole lot of boys started and run, why, I spose Id start and run. And if I once started to run, Id run like the devil, and no mistake. But if everybody was a-standing and a-fighting, why, Id stand and fight. Be jiminey, I would. Ill bet on it. Huh! said the loud one. The youth of this tale felt gratitude for these words of his comrade. He had feared that all of the untried men possessed a great and correct confidence. He now was in a measure reassured. |
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