THE COLONEL'S WAGER. 213 



but, my dear Colonel, he did me the favour to first call 

 at mine. I merely took the liberty of exchanging a 

 few flies you fished with some old acquaintances, 

 while I tried experiments with Father Andrew's. Come, 

 the bets are off we both violated treaties, and thus 

 I renounce my victory, though my opinion of Pull- 

 garrow is unalterable." 



" Julius," said the commander, solemnly, " you'll 

 be on the highway next. Breaking a letter open, I think, 

 is an excellent preparative for stopping his Majesty's 

 mail." 



" And in that case, I trust that you will be an accom- 

 plice. If one must swing, good society is everything. 

 Your demeanour at ' the fatal tree,' I am persuaded, 

 would be exemplary." 



