we don't with _you_. The Frenchman is never taxing us
with every little peculiarity of accent or diction; he 's not always
criticising our ways where they differ from his own. Now, your people
do, and, do what we may, sir, they will look on us as what the Chinese
call 'second chop.' Now, to my thinking, we are first chop, sir, and you
are the tea after second watering."

They were now rapidly approaching the only territory in which an
unpleasant feeling was possible between them. Each knew and felt this,
and yet, with a sort of national stubbornness, neither liked to be the
one to recede first. As for Layton, bound as he was by a debt of deep
gratitude to the American, he chafed under the thought of sacrificing
even a particle of his country's honor to the accident of his own
condition, and with a burning cheek and flashing eye he began,--

"There can be no discussion on the matter. Between England and America
there can no more be a question as to supremacy--"

"There, don't say it; stop there," said Quackinboss, mildly. "Don't let
us get warm about it. I may like to sit in a rockin'-chair and smoke
my weed in the parlor; you may prefer to read the 'Times' at the
drawing-room fire; but if we both agree to go out into the street
together, sir, we can whip all cre-ation."

And he seized Layton's hand, and wrung it with an honest warmth that
there was no mistaking.

"And now as to this Mr. Trover," said Layton, after a few minutes. "Are
we likely to learn anything from him?"

"Well, sir," said the Colonel, lazily, "I 'm on his track, and I know
his footmarks so well now that I 'll be sure to detect him if I see
him again. He 's a-goin' South, and so are _we_. He's a-looking out for
land; that's exactly what _we're_ arter!"

"You have dropped no hint about our lecturing scheme?" asked Layton,
eagerly.

"I rayther think not, sir," said the other, half indignant at the bare
suspicion. "We 're two gentlemen on the search after a good location and
a lively water-power. We 've jest heard of one down West, and there's
the whole cargo as per invoice." And he gave a knowing wink and look of
mingled drollery and cunning.

"You are evidently of opinion that this man could be of use to us?" said
Lay ton, who was well aware how fond the American was of acting with a
certain mystery, and who therefore cautiously abstained from any rash
assault upon his confidence.

"Yes, sir, that's _my_ ticket; but I mean to take my own ti