264 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



clear your cliaracter. Call in that gentleman the 

 constable from the entry, and I will go a treat of 

 half-a-pint of brandy. Mr. Officer," sais Felix, " here 

 is some mistake ; this gentleman has convinced me 

 he was only follerin', as my clerk, a debtor of mine 

 here, and when he transacts his bus'ness, will return, 

 having left his hoss at the lines, where I can get him 

 if I choose ; and I must say I am glad on't, for the 

 credit o' the nation abroad. Fill your glass ; here's a 

 five-dollar bill to your fees, and here's to your good 

 health. If you want provision to ship off in the way 

 of trade, I'm Felix Foyle, and shall be happy to 

 accommodate you." 



' " Now," said Mr. Slick, " that is what I call a 

 rael clever trick, a great card, warn't it ? He de- 

 sarves credit, does Felix; it ain't every one would 

 a-been up to traj) that way, is it ? " 



' " Sam," said his father, rising with great dignity 

 and formality of manner, "was that man, Felix 

 Foyle, ever a military man ? " 



' " No, sir ; he never had a commission, even in the 

 mihtia, as I knows on." 



' " I thought not," said the colonel. " No man 

 that had seen military life could ever tell a lie, much 

 less take a false oath. That fellow, sir, is a villain, 

 and I wish Washington and I had him to the 

 halberts ; by the 'tarnal we'd teach him to disgrace 

 our great name before those benighted colonists." ' ^ 



' Sam, Slick — The Attache^ vol. i. 



