The rest thought it was a piece of bravado, because of his belief that the Rebels would not injure, him after he had served them.

They renewed their yells, the guard again ordered the Parrot out, but the latter, tearing open his blouse, cackled out: "No, I won't go; fire at me, guard.

There's my heart shoot me right there." There was no help for it.

The Rebel leveled his gun and fired.

The charge struck the Parrot's lower jaw, and carried it completely away, leaving his tongue and the roof of his mouth exposed.