we call it a cuttin ' ; but the proper name 's a silly-hoot , I b ` leeve . I 've got a harnsome big degarrytype tew hum , but the heft o n't makes it bad tew kerry raound , so I took this . I do n't tote it abaout inside my shirt , as some dew , -- it ai n't my way ; but I keep it in my wallet long with my other valleu ` bles , and guess I set as much store by it as ef it was all painted up , and done off to kill . '' 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 have n'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 permotion on the field , and 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 Rebel 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 his , and looked up at them with his dark face waking into sudden life , as he went on : -- `` There 's no treason in the camp , for I 'm as fierce a Federalist as any of you now , and you may thank a woman for it . When Lee made his raid into Pennsylvania , I was a lieutenant in the -- well , never mind what regiment , it has n't signalized itself since , and I 'd rather not hit my old neighbors when they are down . In one of the skirmishes during our retreat , I got a wound and was left for dead . A kind old Quaker found and took me home ; but though I was too weak to talk , I had my senses by that time , and knew what went on about me . Everything was in confusion , even in that well-ordered place : no surgeon could be got at first , and a flock of frightened women thee 'd and thou 'd one another over me , but had n't wit enough to see that I was bleeding to death . Among the faces that danced before my dizzy eyes was one that seemed familiar , probably because no cap surrounded it . I was glad to have it bending over me , to hear a steady voice say , ` Give me a bandage , quick ! ' and when none was instantly forthcoming to me , the young lady stripped up a little white apron she wore , and stanched the wound in my shoulder .
I was not as badly hurt as I supposed , but so worn-out , and faint from loss of blood , they believed me to be dying , and so did I , when the old man XXXXX off his hat and said , -- `` Friend , if thee has anything to say , thee had better say it , for thee probably has not long to live . '
bleeding illustrated kill seemed startled surrounded tell took waking wore