"
"No doubt, sir," said Colonel Braddon. "You are a minister,
and men of your profession are not expected to fight. As for
my friend Mr. Sprague," and he directed the attention of the
company derisively to the New York dude, "he would, no doubt,
engage the robbers single-handed."
"I don't know," drawled Mortimer Sprague. "I am afraid I
couldn't tackle more than two, don't you know."
There was a roar of laughter, which did not seem to disturb
Mr. Sprague. He did not seem to be at all aware that his
companions were laughing at him.
"Perhaps, with the help of my friend, Mr. Larkin," he added,
"I might be a match for three."
There was another burst of laughter, in which Luke could
not help joining.
"I am afraid I could not help you much, Mr. Sprague," he said.
"I think, Mr. Sprague," said Colonel Braddon, "that you and
I will have to do the fighting if any attack is made. If our friend
the minister had one of his sermons with him, perhaps that would
scare away the highwaymen."
"It would not be the first time they have had an effect on
godless men," answered the missionary, mildly, and there was
another laugh, this time at the colonel's expense.
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