ount of private and
confidential letters on this to be kept very secret affair. George
made himself quite at home. Indeed, the uninitiated might have
mistaken him and the cat for fixtures of the establishment. Calling me
on one side, he begged I would consider Mr. Buckanan entirely in his
hands. In order to bring his speed to the right gauge, Dan and himself
had, he said, spent several months hard labor; but now he was happy to
say they had found the key to his movements, and nothing more was
wanting. As for Buck's presence at the Ostend convention, just leave
the arranging that to him. Further, in order to make a demonstration
while it was sitting, he would write an epistle to the Emperor of
Austria, forewarning him of the sympathy in America for the spirits he
held down in oppression. This would be a decided hit, he added, with a
knowing wink. So confident was George of his mastery over the
venerable old man, that I felt it would not be prejudicing Mr.
Pierce's interests to leave the matter entirely in his hands: so
bidding them a very good morning, I signified my intention of calling
again in ten days, when I expected he would be ready to move on; if
not, I should be under the painful necessity of bagging him, as
directed by the State Department.

"I had left the legation, and was passing into Portland place, when,
to my surprise, I was overtaken by the indomitable George, who
insisted that I join him in some gin-and-bitters at the first
drinking-place. To have declined George's amiability would have been
immaculate folly: he always bagged his friends, precisely as Pierce
directed me to bag the ambassador. Having stopped at the first
crossing, as they say in Georgia, we drunk ourselves, wished Pierce
much joy with his project, and parted, George saying he would turn
steam on the old man, and have him all right when I called.

"Prompt to the hour, no sooner had the allotted time expired than I
presented myself at the Legation with an express wagon, for the
accommodation of the old man indispensable. Corporal Noggs had got the
boys all right on the continent, and such a jolly time as was
expected! George had evidently been screwing up the old man, for I
found him in the very best humor. There he sat, portly and venerable,
surrounded by boxes, carpet-bags, and trunks; all, he assured me,
containing various diplomatic implements of great value. At his feet
purred the cat diplomatic, as if anxious to accompany him. 'The