Dick `` hailed '' from Illinois , and was a comely young fellow , full of dash and daring ; rough and rowdy , generous and jolly , overflowing with spirits and ready for a free fight with all the world . Silence followed the last words , while the friendly moon climbed up the sky . Each man 's eye followed it , and each man 's heart was busy with remembrances of other eyes and hearts that might be watching and wishing as theirs watched and wished . In the silence , each shaped for himself that vision of home that brightens so many camp-fires , haunts so many dreamers under canvas roofs , and keeps so many turbulent natures tender by memories which often are both solace and salvation . Thorn paced to and fro , his rifle on his shoulder , vigilant and soldierly , however soft his heart might be . Phil leaned against the tree , one hand in the breast of his blue jacket , on the painted presentment of the face his fancy was picturing in the golden circle of the moon . Flint lounged on the sward , whistling softly as he whittled at a fallen bough . Dick was flat on his back , heels in air , cigar in mouth , and some hilarious notion in his mind , for suddenly he broke into a laugh . `` What is it , lad ? '' asked Thorn , pausing in his tramp , as if willing to be drawn from the disturbing thought that made his black brows lower and his mouth look grim . `` Thinkin ' of my wife , and wishin ' she was here , bless her heart ! set me rememberin ' how I see her fust , and so I roared , as I always do when it comes into my head . '' `` How was it ? Come , reel off a yarn , and let 's hear houw yeou hitched teams , '' said Flint , always glad to get information concerning his neighbors , if it could be cheaply done . `` Tellin ' how we found our wives would n't be a bad game , would it , Phil ? '' `` I 'm agreeable ; but let 's have your romance first . '' `` Devilish little of that about me or any of my doin 's . I hate sentimental bosh as much as you hate slang , and should have been a bachelor to this day if I had n't seen Kitty jest as I did . You see , I 'd been too busy larkin ' round to get time for marryin ' , till a couple of years ago , when I did up the job double-quick , as I 'd like to do this thunderin ' slow one , hang it all ! '' `` Halt a minute till I give a look , for this picket is n't going to be driven in or taken while I 'm on guard . ''
Down his beat went XXXXX , reconnoitring river , road , and swamp , as thoroughly as one pair of keen eyes could do it , and came back satisfied , but still growling like a faithful mastiff on the watch ; performances which he repeated at intervals till his own turn came .
Flint Illinois Phil Tellin Thorn bosh fust sward thunderin yeou