water at the rate of about a gallon a second.

"What a much better method than ours," observed Harris, enthusiastically.
Harris is inclined to be chronically severe on all British institutions.
"How much simpler, quicker, and more economical! You see, one man by
this method can in five minutes water a stretch of road that would take
us with our clumsy lumbering cart half an hour to cover."

George, who was riding behind me on the tandem, said, "Yes, and it is
also a method by which with a little carelessness a man could cover a
good many people in a good deal less time than they could get out of the
way."

George, the opposite to Harris, is British to the core. I remember
George quite patriotically indignant with Harris once for suggesting the
introduction of the guillotine into England.

"It is so much neater," said Harris.

"I don't care if it is," said George; "I'm an Englishman; hanging is good
enough for me."

"Our water-cart may have its disadvantages," continued George, "but it
can only make you uncomfortable about the legs, and you can avoid it.
This is the sort of machine with which a man can follow you round the
corner and upstairs."

"It fascinates me to watch them," said Harris. "They are so skilful. I
have seen a man from the corner of a crowded square in Strassburg cover
every inch of ground, and not so much as wet an apron string. It is