on the bench, but also from others who had
witnessed the scene.

"So much for curiosity," said McElvina, continuing his mirth. The
proprietor of the dog, a young Frenchman, dressed very much "_en
calicot_," did not, however, seem quite so much amused with this
practical joke; he cocked his hat fiercely on one side, raised his
figure to the utmost of its height, and walking up, _en grand militaire_
addressed McElvina, with "_Comment, monsieur, vous avez fait une grande
betise-la--vous m'insultez_--"

"I think I had better not understand French," said McElvina, aside to
Debriseau; then turning to the Frenchman, with a grave face, and air of
incomprehension,--"What did you say, sir?"

"Ah! you are Inglishman. You not speak French?"--McElvina shook his
head, and began to puff away his cigar.

"Den, sare, if you not speak de French language, I speak de Englis like
von natif; and I tell you, sare, _que vous m'avez insulte_. Got for
dam!--you burnt my dog nose; vat you mean, sare?"

"The dog burnt his own nose," answered McElvina, mildly.

"Vat you mean? de dog burnt his own nose! How is a dog capable to burn
his own nose? Sare, you put de cigar to my dog nose. I must have de
_satisfaction_ or de apology _tout de suite_."

"But, sir, I have not insulted you."

"Sare, you insult my dog--he is von and de same ting--_mon chien est un
chien de sentiment_. He feel de affront all de same vid me--I feel de
affront all de same vid him. _Vous n'avez qu'a choisir, monsieur_."

"Between you and your dog," answered McElvina--"Well, then, I'd rather
fight the dog."

"Bah! fight de dog--de dog cannot fight, sare: _mais je suis son maitre
et son ami_ and I vill fight for him."

"Well, then, monsieur, I did insult your dog, I must acknowledge, and I
will give him the satisfaction which you require."

"And how vill you give de satisfaction to de dog?"

"Why, sir, you said just now that he was _un chien de beaucoup de
sentiment_:--if he is so, he will accept and properly appreciate my
apology."

"Ah, sare," replied the Frenchman, relaxing the stern wrinkles of his
brow, "_c'est bien dit_; you will make de apology to de dog. _Sans
doute_, he is de principal, I am only de second. _C'est une affaire
arrangee. Moustache, viens ici Moustache_" (the dog came up to his
master). _Monsieur est tres fache de t'avoir brule le nez_.

"Monsieur Moustache," said McElvina, taking off his hat with mock
gravity to the dog, who see