But whar does your family live?"
"In New Orleans," replied Vernon, who knew nothing to the contrary,
though we are not sure that, if he had, it would have made any
difference in his reply.
"And your name is Vernon?"
"It is."
"Is that your family name, or only a borried one?"
"It is my real name," replied Vernon, not a little perplexed by the
coolness and method of the woodman's queries.
"I rather guess not," suggested Jerry, mildly.
"'Pon my honor--"
"Think again,--maybe you mought fotch the real one to your mind."
Vernon, whose temper was not particularly gentle under contradiction,
was nettled, and disposed to be angry.
"Perhaps you know best," said he, conquering his passion, and assuming
one of those peculiarly convincing smiles, which must be an hereditary
possession in the family of the "father of lies."
"Perhaps I do," replied Jerry. "If you don't know any better than that,
why, then, I do know best. It arn't Vernon."
"It is not manly, captain, to insult a prisoner," replied Vernon, with
an air of dignity, which came from the same source as the liar's smile.
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