`` A pepper pot , '' answered Ned , giving Nan a nut meat with a tantalizing laugh that made Tommy feel as if he would like to bounce up like a hot chestnut and hit somebody . Seeing that ill-humor was getting the better of the small supply of wit in the company , Franz cast himself into the breach again . `` Let 's make a law that the first person who comes into the room shall tell us a story . No matter who it is , he must do it , and it will be fun to see who comes first . '' The others agreed , and did not have to wait long , for a heavy step soon came clumping through the hall , and Silas appeared , bearing an armful of wood . He was greeted by a general shout , and stood staring about him with a bewildered grin on his big red face , till Franz explained the joke . `` Sho ! I ca n't tell a story , '' he said , putting down his load and preparing to leave the room . But the boys fell upon him , forced him into a seat , and held him there , laughing , and clamoring for their story , till the good-natured giant was overpowered . `` I do n't know but jest one story , and that 's about a horse , '' he said , much flattered by the reception he received . `` Tell it ! tell it ! '' cried the boys . `` Wal , '' began Silas , tipping his chair back against the wall , and putting his thumbs in the arm-holes of his waistcoat , `` I jined a cavalry regiment durin ' the war , and see a consid ` able amount of fightin ' . My horse , Major , was a fust-rate animal , and I was as fond on him as ef he 'd ben a human critter . He war n't harnsome , but he was the best-tempered , stiddyest , lovenest brute I ever see . I fust battle we went into , he gave me a lesson that I did n't forgit in a hurry , and I 'll tell you how it was . It ai n't no use tryin ' to picter the noise and hurry , and general horridness of a battle to you young fellers , for I ai n't no words to do it in ; but I 'm free to confess that I got so sort of confused and upset at the fust on it , that I did n't know what I was about . We was ordered to charge , and went ahead like good ones , never stoppin ' to pick up them that went down in the scrimmage . I got a shot in the arm , and was pitched out of the saddle do n't know how , but there I was left behind with two or three others , dead and wounded , for the rest went on , as I say .
XXXXX , I picked myself up and looked round for Major , feeling as ef I 'd had about enough for that spell .
Nan Ned Sho Tommy Wal ef first harnsome ill-humor left