Turtle suggested that a lower stake had better be driven--or the outside angle of the fence would be still better, that _would_ stand--they could walk round a fence corner, he knew.
Aunt Sonora "hop'd for massy-sakes they warn't a-goin' to come out of the field--they ought-er be fenced in--she thought it warn't safe!"
Mrs. Longbow, who had great confidence in her husband, said, "she needn't be alarm'd any, the capt'n would take care on 'em."
The Squire declared, "he wouldn't try any sich revolution over agin, but he thought they _could_ march in platoons;" and thereupon he cried, "Company, form in pla-_toons_!"
Turtle said, "he wasn't any war character, and he didn't know what a _platoon_ was, but he know'd Injun file."
"Well, Injun file, then," exclaimed the captain; and from Injun file, Longbow set them around into a hollow square, put the women in the centre, and he delivered to his troops the address of the day, with uncovered heads, and in the most affecting silence.
The address was a very patriotic production. The Squire drew heavily from the great revolutionary war to find inspiring materials to stimulate his forces. He told them, among other things, that his own grandfather was "wounded in the hip a-fightin' for his country, and that he draw'd a pension arterwards as long as he lived. He hop'd they'd all get ready for the great muster that was a-goin' to come off in a few weeks; for the gin'ral would be there, then, and a good deal was expected of the Puddleford company on that occasion." The Squire had forgotten the unfortunate blunders of the day, in his enthusiasm, or, at any rate, he did not allude to them, for he said, "he was proud of the soldier-like bearin' of his men, and the great respect they all seem'd to have for their capt'n--that their arms were not 'zactly accordin' to la'."
"'Cording to the Lord," whispered Aunt Sonora, horrified, very audibly--"Hear that."
"'Cording to _la'_," repeated the Squire, who overheard her, "not 'zactly 'cordin' to la', but it is a constructive compliance with the statert, and will pass muster on the first turn-out;" and, thankin' them all for their attendance, he adjourned the company _siney die_.
Mrs. Bird gets in a Rage.--Starve a Child.--Mrs. Bird blows off at Mrs. Beagle.--Takes Breath.--Blows off again.--Mrs. Beagle gives a Piece of her Mind.--Aunt Sonora drops in.--She has no Faith in Second Wives.--All adjourn to the House of Mrs. Swipes.--General Fight of Tongues.--Mrs. Swipes gives her Opinion.--A Dead Set by all upon Mrs. Longbow.--Mrs. Longbow raps at the Door.--The Scene changes.--Final Wind-up.