The interview shall be liberal.

ART. 8. The interview shall be controversial.

ART. 9. The interview shall be controversial, liberal, philosophical,
ethical, logical, general, and amicable.

ART. 10. The interview shall be as particularly agreed upon.

The cat does not leap upon the mouse with more avidity than Lord
Chatterino and myself pounced upon the third protocol, seeking new
grounds for the argument that each was resolved on.

"Auguste! cher Auguste!" exclaimed the lovely Chatterissa, in the
prettiest Parisian accent I thought I had ever heard--"Pour moi!"

"A moi! monseignear!" I put in, flourishing my copy of the protocol--I
was checked in the midst of this controversial ardor by a tug at the
bison-skin; when, casting a look behind me, I saw Captain Poke winking
and making other signs that he wished to say a word in a corner.

"I think, Sir John," observed the worthy sealer, "if we ever mean to let
this bargain come to a catastrophe, it might as well be done now. The
females have been cunning, but the deuce is in it if we cannot weather
upon two women before the matter is well over. In Stunin'tun, when it is
thought best to accommodate proposals, why we object and raise a breeze
in the beginning, but towards the end we kinder soften and mollify, or
else trade would come to a stand. The hardest gale must blow its pipe
out. Trust to me to floor the best argument the best monkey of them all
can agitate!"

"This matter is getting serious, Noah, and I am filled with an esprit de
corps. Do you not begin yourself to feel human?"

"Kinder; but more bisonish than anything else. Let them go on, Sir John;
and, when the time comes, we will take them aback, or set me down as a
pettifogger."

The Captain winked knowingly; and I began to see that there was some
sense in his opinion. On rejoining our friends, or allies, I scarce know
which to call them, I found that the amiable Chatterissa had equally
calmed the diplomatic ardor of her lover, again, and we now met on
the best possible terms. The protocol was accepted by acclamation; and
preparations were instantly commenced for the lecture of Dr. Reasono.

CHAPTER XI. A PHILOSOPHY THAT IS BOTTOMED ON SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL--SOME
REASONS PLAINLY PRESENTED, AND CAVILLING OBJECTIONS PUT TO FLIGHT BY A
CHARGE OF LOGICAL BAYONETS.

Dr. Reasono was quite as reasonable, in the personal embellishments
of his lyceum, as any public lecturer I remember to have seen,