Little pieces of paper came out.
"I bought these, Mr. Watson, from a sutler in General Pope's army,"
he said. "I wonder if they came from you?"
A deeper tint flushed the contractor's cheeks, but in a moment he threw
off anger.
"A good joke," he said jovially. "I see that you're ready of wit,
despite your youth. No, those are not my shoes. I know dishonest men
are making great sums out of supplies that are defective or short.
A great war gives such people many opportunities, but I scorn them.
I'll not deny that I seek a fair profit, but my chief object is to serve
my country. Do you ever reflect, my young friend, that the men who
clothe and feed an army have almost as much to do with winning the
victory as the men who fight?"
"I've thought of it," said Dick, wondering what the contractor had in
mind.
"What regiment do you belong to, if I may ask? My motive in asking these
questions is wholly good."
"One commanded by Colonel Winchester, recently sent from the west.
We've been in only one battle in the east, that fought at Cedar Run
against Jackson.
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