You see I have the nerve to do it.

From Europe I went to India, and there I risked my life for six years more among the polar bears." "Forty-eight and six are fifty-four," soliloquized Archie.
"After that I went to the plains, where I remained three years; and when the governor wrote to me that he was about to remove from Kentucky, I resigned my commission as captain of scouts, and here I am.

I must confess that I am sorry enough for it; for I never saw a duller country than California.

There's no society here, no excitement--nothing to stir up a fellow's blood." "Fifty-four and three are fifty-seven," said Archie.
Arthur had evidently finished the history of his exploits, for he had nothing more to say just then.

Archie, after waiting a few minutes for him to resume his narrative, pulled his sombrero down over his eyes, and thrust his hands into his pockets--two movements he always executed when he wished to concentrate his mind upon any thing--and began to ponder upon what he had just heard.
"Vane," said he, suddenly, an idea striking him, "who commanded your vessel when you were captured ?" Arthur knitted his brows, and looked down at the horn of his saddle, as if thinking intently, and finally said: "Why, it was Mr.--, Mr.--; I declare, I have forgotten his name." Archie again relapsed into silence.
"We had two wars with those pirates," thought he.