and odd years un-scored off, in anticipation of which I had
at one time taken lessons from Angelo, in fencing, which led to the
celebrated challenge they might have read in "Galignani," where I
offered to meet any swordsman in Europe for ten thousand Napoleons,
giving choice of the weapon to my adversary. With a tear to the
memory of the poor French colonel that I killed at Sedan, I turned the
conversation. Being in France, I incidentally mentioned some anecdotes
of military life, and bow I had invented the rifle called after Minie's
name, and, in a moment of good nature, given that excellent fellow my
secret.

"I will say," said I, "that Minie has shown more gratitude than some
others nearer home, but we 'll talk of rifled cannon another time."

In an episode about bear-shooting, I mentioned the Emperor of Russia,
poor dear Nicholas, and told how we had once exchanged horses,--mine
being more strong-boned, and a weight-carrier; his a light Caucasian
mare of purest breed, "the dam of that creature you may see below in the
stable now," said I, carelessly. "'Come and see me one of these
days, Potts,' said he, in parting; 'come and pass a week with me at
Constantinople.' This was the first intimation he had ever given of his
project against Turkey; and when I told it to the Duke of Wellington,
his remark was a muttered 'Strange fellow, Potts,--knows everything!'
though he made no reply to me at the time."

It was somewhere about this period that the priest began with what
struck me as an attempt to outdo me as a storyteller, an effort I should
have treated with the most contemptuous indifference but for the amount
of attention bestowed on him by the others. Nor was this all, but
actually I perceived that a kind of rivalry was attempted to be
established, so that we were pitted directly against each other. Amongst
the other self-delusions of such moments was the profound conviction
I entertained that I was master of all games of skill and address,
superior to Major A. at whist, and able to give Staunton a pawn and the
move at chess. The priest was just as vainglorious. "He'd like to
see the man who 'd play him a game of 'spoiled five'"--whatever
that was--"or drafts; ay, or, though it was not his pride, a bit of
backgammon."

"Done, for fifty pounds; double on the gammon!" cried I.

"Fifty fiddlesticks!" cried he; "where would you or I find as many
shillings?"

"What do you mean, sir?" said I, angrily. "Am I to supp