ed, for the water has closed
over him. Sarves him right, too, what business had he to grasp my
life-preserver without leave. I have enough to do to get along by my own
wit, without carry in' double.

"'Where is the Prince? Didn't they say he was a comin'? Who was that
went out? He don't look like the Prince; he ain't half so handsum, that
feller, he looks, like a Yankee.' 'Why, that was Sam Slick.' 'Capital,
that! What a droll feller he is; he is always so ready! He desarves
credit for that trick.' Guess I do; but let old Connecticut alone;
us Slickville boys always find a way to dodge in or out embargo or no
embargo, blockade or no blockade, we larnt that last war.

"Here I am in the street agin; the air feels handsum. I have another
invitation to-night, shall I go? Guess I will. All the world is at these
two last places, I reckin there will be breathin' room at the next; and
I want an ice cream to cool my coppers, shockin' bad.--Creation! It is
wus than ever; this party beats t'other ones all holler. They ain't no
touch to it. I'll jist go and make a scrape to old uncle and aunty, and
then cut stick; for I hante strength to swiggle my way through another
mob.

"'You had better get in fust, though, hadn't you, Sam? for here you
are agin wracked, by gosh, drove right slap ashore atween them two fat
women, and fairly wedged in and bilged. You can't get through, and can't
get out, if you was to die for it.' 'Can't I though? I'll try; for I
never give in, till I can't help it. So here's at it. Heave off, put
all steam on, and back out, starn fust, and then swing round into the
stream. That's the ticket, Sam.' It's done; but my elbow has took that
lady that's two steps furder down on the stairs, jist in the eye, and
knocked in her dead light. How she cries! how I apologize, don't I?
And the more I beg pardon, the wus she carries on. But it's no go; if I
stay, I must fust fight somebody, and then marry _her_; for I've spiled
her beauty, and that's the rule here, they tell me.'

"So I sets studen sail booms, and cracks on all sail, and steers for
home, and here I am once more; at least what's left of me, and that
ain't much more nor my shader. Oh dear! I'm tired, shockin' tired,
almost dead, and awful thirsty; for Heaven's sake, give me some lignum
vitae, for I am so dry, I'll blow away in dust.

"This is a Swoi-ree, Squire, this is London society; this is rational
enjoyment, this is a meeting of friends, who are so infa