“But won't you own that you might find as worthy models in England as in France or Italy?” “Not for us, sir,--not for us. Besides, we find ourselves at home on the Continent; 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 Layton, 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 time to lay the bill on the table. But here comes the small steamers and the boats for the mails. Listen to that bugle, Britisher. That air is worth all Mozart. Yes, sir,” said he proudly, as he hummed,-- “There's not a man beneath the moon, Nor lives in any land he That hasn't heard the pleasant time Of Yankee doodle dandy!