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Jonathan [takes the gun, and looks at every part of it carefully, and then says,] It won't bust, will it? Father's gun don't shine like this, but I guess it's a better gun.

Percy. Why? Why do you guess so?

Jonathan. 'Cause I know what that'll deu, and I have some doubts about this-ere. But look o' here! You called that-air mark a Yankee; and I won't fire at a Yankee.

Percy. Well, call it a British regular, if you please; only fire.

Jonathan. Well, a reg'lar it is, then. Now for freedom, as father says. [He raises the gun and fires.] There, I guess that-air red coat has got a hole in it! [Turning to the soldiers.] Why don't you laugh, now, as that-air fellow said you might. [Pointing to Percy.] Percy. You awkward rascal, that was an accident. Do you think you could hit the mark again?

Jonathan. He! I don't know; I can try.

Percy. Give him another gun, soldiers; and take care that the clown does not shoot you. I should not fear to stand before the mark myself.

Jonathan. I guess you'd better not.

Percy. Why? Do you think you could hit me? Jonathan. I don't know; I could try.

Percy, Fire away, then

Jonathan fires, and again hits the mark:] Jonathan. Ha ha, ha! How father would laugh to see me shooting at half-gun-shot!

Percy. Why, you rascal, do you think you could hit the mark at twice that distance?

Jonathan. He! I don't know; I'm not afeard to

try.

Percy. Give him another gun, soldiers, and place the mark farther off.

[Jonathan fires again, and hits as before.] Jonathan. There, I guess that-air reg'lar is as dead as the pirate that father says the judge hangs till he is dead, dead, dead, three times dead; and that is one more death than Scripter tells on.

Percy. There, fellow, is a guinea for you.
Jonathan. Is it a good one? [Ringing it.]
Percy. Good? Yes. Now begone.

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Jonathan. I should like to stay, and see them fellows kill some more Yankees.

Percy, [aside]. The fellow is more rogue than fool. [To Jonathan.] Sirrah, what is your name? Jonathan. Jonathan."

Percy. Jonathan what?

Jonathan. Wot'll you give to know?
Percy. What is your father's name?

Jonathan. He was named arter me.

Percy. You lying rogue, how could that be, if you are his son?

Jonathan. Why, you see, his name was George, and he was afeard they'd think he was called arter King George, and so the Gin'ral Courts altered it to Joe.

Percy. Do you think your father can shoot as well as you do.

Jonathan. I don't know; but, I guess he wouldn't be afeard to try.

Percy. Where did you learn your skill?

Jonathan. O, father larnt me, when I wasn't knee high to a woodchuck.

Percy. Why did he teach you so young?

Jonathan. 'Cause, he said I might have to shoot red-coats, one of these days.

Percy. Ah! Pray, my boy, do all the farmers in your town shoot as well as you do?

Jonathan. Yes, and better, teu.

Percy. Would they like to shoot at red-coats, as you call them ?

Jonathan. I've heerd 'em say they'd like to try.

Percy. Come, my good fellow, while you are well off, you had better join us, and fight for your king; for we shall hang every Yankee we catch.

Jonathan. I guess you won't catch any.

Percy. Well, we can try, as you say; and, since we have caught you, we will hang you for a traitor. Jonathan. No you won't. You paid me yourself for killing them three red-coats; so I guess you won't hang me for that?

Percy. No, my good fellow, I like you too well. I am sorry that my duty to my king obliges me to injure men who show in every thought and action that they are true Englishmen. You may go free; but the next time you see my troops firing at a mark for exercise, you must not be so uncivil as to laugh at them, if they miss. What say you?

Jonathan. I don't know whether I can help it.
Percy. Well, you can try, can't you?

Jonathan. I'spose I can; for Deacon Simple tried to milk his geese, but his wife didn't make no more butter for his trying, I guess.

Percy. Begone! or I shall have to put you under guard. Officer, give him a pass to Charlestown; but never let him come among our troops again. His example is a bad one.

LESSON XCI.

THE MILLER.

KING-MILLER-COURTIER.

King. (Enters alone; wrapped in a cloak.) No, no, this can be no public road, that's certain. I have lost my way, undoubtedly. Of what advantage is it now to be a king! Night shows me no respect; I cannot see better, nor walk so well as another man. When a king is lost in a wood, what is he more than other men? His wisdom knows not which is north and which is south; his power a beggar's dog would bark at, and the beggar himself would not bow to his greatAnd yet how often are we puffed up with these false attributes! Well, in losing the monarch I have found the man. But hark! somebody sure is near. What were it best to do? Will my majesty protect me? No. Throw majesty aside then, and let manhood do it. (Enter the miller.)

ness.

Miller.

I believe I hear the rogue. Who's there? King. No rogue, I assure you.

Miller. Little better, friend, I believe. Who fired that gun?

King. Not I, indeed.

Miller. You lie, I believe.

King. (Aside.) Lie, lie! how strange it seems to me to be talked to in this style. (Aloud.) Upon my word I don't, sir.

Miller. Come, come, sirrah, confess; you have shot one of the king's deer, haven't you?

King. No, indeed; I owe the king more respect.

I heard a gun go off, to be sure, and was afraid some robbers might have been near.

Miller. I am not bound to believe this, friend. Pray, who are you? What's your name!

King. Name!

Miller. Name! aye, name. You have a name, haven't you? Where do you come from? What is your business here ?

King. These are questions I have not been used to, honest man.

Miller. May be so; but they are questions no honest man would be afraid to answer; so if you can give no better account of yourself, I shall make bold to take you along with me, if you please.

King. With you! what authority have you toMiller. The king's authority, if I must give you an account. Sir, I am John Cockle, the miller of Mansfield, one of his Majesty's keepers in the forest of Sherwood, and I will let no suspicious fellow pass this way, unless he can give a better account of himself than you have done, I promise you.

King. Very well, sir; I am very glad to hear the king has so good an officer; and since I find you have his authority, I will give you a better account of myself, if you will do me the favor to hear it.

Miller. You don't deserve it, I believe; but let's hear what you can say for yourself.

King. I have the honor to belong to the king as well as you, and perhaps should be as unwilling to see any wrong done him. I came down with him to hunt in this forest, and the chase leading us to-day a great

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