'It ain't because I belong, so to
speak, to the "Sinews of War;" but because I'd want about ten thousand
trained Ingins from the Reservations!' And the regular West Point,
high-toned, scientific inkybus that weighs so heavily on our army don't
see it--and won't have it! Then Sherman, he sez to me"--
But here a roar of laughter interrupted him, and in the cross fire of
sarcastic interrogations that began Brant saw, with relief, a chance
of escape. For in the voice, manner, and, above all, the characteristic
temperament of the stranger, he had recognized his old playmate and the
husband of Susy,--the redoubtable Jim Hooker! There was no mistaking
that gloomy audacity; that mysterious significance; that magnificent
lying. But even at that moment Clarence Brant's heart had gone out, with
all his old loyalty of feeling, towards his old companion. He knew that
a public recognition of him then and there would plunge Hooker into
confusion; he felt keenly the ironical plaudits and laughter of his
officers over the manifest weakness and vanity of the ex-teamster,
ex-rancher, ex-actor, and husband of his old girl sweetheart, and would
have spared him the knowledge that he had overheard it. Turning hastily
to the orderly, he bade him bring the stranger to his headquarters, and
rode away unperceived.
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