uble was that there were too many fools on it----"

At this point Wade Ruggles sprang to his feet, with the fierce
question:

"Does the gentleman refer to _me_?"

His hand was at his hip on the butt of his revolver and matters
looked squally, but the tactful Budge quelled the rising storm with
Chesterfieldian grace. Waving his hand and bowing, he said:

"I did not intend the remotest reference to you."

Vose Adams came up promptly.

"Then it's _me_ and I'm ready to make any man eat his words."

"My good friend is mistaken; nothing could induce me to apply such a
term to him; I hold him in too high esteem."

Since this left Ike Hoe as the only remaining member, he began to show
signs of explosion, perceiving which the incomprehensible Budge
proceeded to mollify him.

"And Ike knows that I would be the last person in the world to slur a
gentleman from whom I as well as the others have received so much
instruction."

Ike was mystified. He looked at the other members of the committee and
then into the faces of the group. He couldn't make it out.

"If it's all the same, Mr. Chairman, since the gentleman has said
there was too many fools on the committee, and has just explained that
he didn't mean any one of us three, I'll be obliged if he'll explain
who in thunder he did mean."

This sounded unanswerable, but the cunning Budge was equal to the
occasion.

"It gives me pleasure to answer the question of the gentleman: my
remark was made in a Pickwickian sense."

He leaned forward with a beaming smile, as if his explanation left
nothing to be added. No one understood to what he referred, but all
were too proud to admit the fact. There was a general nodding of
heads, and Ike, with the manner of a man who magnanimously accepts the
humble apology of him whom he has worsted, leaned back on his stool
and audibly remarked:

"That makes it all right."

Budge Isham resumed his seat, when he was reminded that he was
expected to submit a name for the new settlement.

"I beg pardon," he said, rising again, "it is a fact known to this
highly intelligent assemblage, that every city of prominence in Europe
has from one to forty namesakes in this country. There is one
exception, however; doubtless all know to what city I refer."

In response to his inquiring looks, the group tried to appear as if
the name was familiar to them, but no one spoke.

"It is hardly necessary for me to mention the city, but I may say it
is