plenty of
the breed only waitin' a chance. Mor'n twenty-five of our merchantmen
wrecked each year through being stripped of their crews by a 'friendly
power.' 'Pears to me we couldn't be worse off going to war, an' might be
a dum sight better."

"Your home an' holdings are three hundred safe miles from the seacoast,"
objected the man from Manhattan.

"Yes, and right next Canada," was the reply.

"The continued insults to our flag, sir, and the personal indignities
offered to our people are even worse than the actual loss in ships and
goods. It makes my blood fairly boil," and the worthy general looked the
part as his purple jowl quivered over his white cravat.

"Gosh all hemlock! the one pricks, but t'other festers, it's tarnal sure
you steal a man's dinner and tell him he's one o' nature's noblemen,
he's more apt to love you than if you give him five dollars to keep out
o' your sight," said Sylvanne, with slow emphasis.

"There's something to be said on the other side," said the timid one.
"You surely allow that the British government is trying to do right,
and after all we must admit that that Jilson affair resected very little
credit on our own administration."

"A man ken make one awful big mistake an' still be all right, but he
can't go on making a little mistake every day right along an' be fit
company for a clean crowd," retorted the new senator.

At length the governor rose and led the way to the drawing-room, where
they rejoined the ladies and the conversation took on a different colour
and weight, by which it lost all value for those who knew not the art
of twittering persiflage and found less joy in a handkerchief flirtation
than in the nation's onward march. Rolf and Quonab enjoyed it now about
as much as Skookum had done all the time.

Chapter 65. The Grebes and the Singing Mouse

Quonab puzzled long over the amazing fact that young Van Cortlandt had
evident high standing "in his own tribe." "He must be a wise counsellor,
for I know he cannot fight and is a fool at hunting," was the ultimate
decision.

They had a final interview with the governor and his son before they
left. Rolf received for himself and his partner the promised one hundred
and fifty dollars, and the hearty thanks of all in the governor's home.
Next, each was presented with a handsome hunting knife, not unlike
the one young Van had carried, but smaller. Quonab received his with
"Ho--" then, after a pause, "He pull out, may