the window and the Doctor put on his spectacles and
examined them closely.

"I have never seen such an able, Samsonian fist," he went on. "I think
the look of those hands would let you into Paradise. What a record of
human service is writ upon them! Hands like that have laid the
foundations of America. They have been generous hands. They tell me
all I need to know of your spirit, your lungs, your heart and your
stomach."

"They're purty heavy--that's why I genially carry 'em in my pockets
when I ain't busy," said Solomon.

"Over here a pair of hands like that are thought to be a disgrace.
They are like the bloody hands of Macbeth. Certain people would look
at them and say: 'My God, man, you are guilty of hard work. You have
produced food for the hungry and fuel for the cold. You are not an
idler. You have refused to waste your time with Vice and Folly.
Avaunt and quit my sight.' In America every one works--even the horse,
the ass and the ox. Only the hog is a gentleman. There are many
mischievous opinions in Europe but the worst is that useful labor is
dishonorable. Do you like London?"

Solomon put his face in shape for a long shot. Jack has written that
he seemed to be looking for hostile "Injuns" some distance away and to
be waiting for another stir in the bushes. Suddenly he pulled his
trigger.

"London an' I is kind o' skeered o' one 'nother. It 'minds me o' the
fust time I run into ol' Thorny Tree. They was a young brave with him
an' both on 'em had guns. They knowed me an' I knowed them. Looked as
if there'd have to be some killin' done. We both made the sign o'
friendship an' kep' edgin' erway f'm one 'nother careless like but
keepin' close watch. Sudden as scat they run like hell in one
direction an' I in t'other. I guess I look bad to London an' London
looks bad to me, but I'll have to do all the runnin' this time."

The Doctor laughed. "It ha' never seen a man just like you before," he
observed. "I saw Sir Jeffrey Amherst this morning and told him you
were in London. He is fond of you and paid you many compliments and
made me promise to bring you to his home."

"I'd like to smoke a pipe with ol' Jeff," Solomon answered. "They
ain't no nonsense 'bout him. I learnt him how to talk Injun an' read
rapids an' build a fire with tinder an' elbow grease. He knows me
plenty. He staked his life on me a dozen times in the Injun war."

"How is Major Washington?" the Doctor asked.