human
Did ever man have such luck? grumbled Dick.
gpt
You have made yourself a deserter. You did all you could to earn being shot; you walked back, and again did all you could to leave Amherst no other choice but to shoot you. And, again, you blunder into saving half an army! Have you seen Amherst?
human
He sent for me at La Chine, to reward me.
gpt
You told him all, of course?
human
I did--or almost all!
gpt
Then, since he has not shot you, I presume you are now restored to the Forty-sixth, and become the just pride of the regiment?
human
Look at these clothes. They will tell you if I am restored to the Forty-sixth.
gpt
So that was more than Amherst could bring himself to stomach?
human
On the contrary, he gave me my choice. But I am resigning my commission.
gpt
Eh? Well, I suppose your monstrous luck with the dispatches had earned you his leniency. You told him of Fort Frontenac, I presume?
human
I did not tell him of that. But someone else had taken care that he should learn something of it.
gpt
The girl? You don't mean to tell me that your luck stepped in once again?
human
Mademoiselle Diane must have guessed that I meant to tell the General all. She left a sealed letter which he opened in my presence. As for my luck, continued John--and now it was his turn to speak bitterly--
gpt
Well, and you ought to respect her wishes, he said.
human
She interfered to save you, if ever a woman saved a man. He was striding to and fro again on the bank.
gpt
And what will you do now?
human
The General thinks Murray will be the new Governor, and promises to recommend me to him. There's work to be done in reducing the outlying French forts and bringing the Indians to reason. Probably I shall be sent west.
gpt
You mean to live your life out in Canada?
human
I do.
gpt
Tell me at least that you have given up hope of this girl.
human
I shall never seek her, he answered.
gpt
But while life lasts I shall not give up hope of seeing her once again.
human
And I am waiting for my captaincy, said Dick grimly;
gpt
Beg pardon, sir, said the corporal, saluting,
human
That will be Bateese Guyon,
gpt
This is the man, said he,
human
I hope, said Dick, half-lifting his hat as he stood by the corpse,
gpt
I can respect a man who did a brave deed and died for his country.