"Ain't this a swamp to read about? Did you ever see the likes o'
mosquitoes?"
"I couldn't see 'em," said I; "supposing you mean whilst I was on
vydette."
He laughed. "Bet you had to fight 'em, though. Say--you won't git that
mud off that-away; let it dry."
I did not reply. He was standing almost over me, upon a sort of shelf in
the side of the gully, as there was not room at the water for more
than one man.
"Gimme your canteen," said I.
He handed it to me. It was a bright new tin canteen of the cheap
Confederate make--uncovered. I knew at once that this man belonged to
the fresh regiment. The old Confederates had supplied themselves, from
battlefields and prisoners, and the greater capture of stores, with good
Union canteens. Even while I was thinking this, he said, "What'll you
take to boot 'twixt your canteen and mine?"
"Don't want to swap," said I.