A CERTAIN General of the United States Army, supposing his favorite
horse dead, ordered an Irishman to go and skin him.
"What! is Silver Tail dead?" asked Pat.
"What is that to you?" said the officer, "do as I bid you, and ask me no
questions."
Pat went about his business, and in about two hours returned.
"Well, Pat, where have you been all this time?" asked the general.
"Skinning your horse, your honor."
"Did it take you two hours to perform the operation?"
"No, your honor, but then you see it took me about half an hour to catch
the horse."
"Catch him! Fires and furies--was he alive?"
"Yes, your honor, and I could not skin him alive, you know."
"Skin him alive! did you kill him?"
"To be sure I did, your honor--and sure you know I must obey orders
without asking questions."