Slick,' sais Steve,' who was afraid he would lose the
pony, if he staid any longer, 'Mr. Slick,' sais he, 'the
least said, is the soonest mended, let's be a movin',
this scene of noise and riot is shockin' to a religious
man, ain't it?' and he let go a groan, as long as the
embargo a'most.

"Well, we had no sooner turned to go, than the French
people sot up a cheer that made all ring again; and they
sung out, "La Fossy Your," "La Fossy Your," and shouted
it agin and agin ever so loud.

"'What's that?' sais Steve.

"Well, I didn't know, for I never heerd the word afore;
but it don't do to say you don't know, it lowers you in
the eyes of other folks. If you don't know What another
man knows he is shocked at your ignorance. But if he
don't know what you do, he can find an excuse in a minute.
Never say you don't know.

"'So,' sais I, 'they jabber so everlastin' fast, it ain't
no easy matter to say what they mean; but it sounds like
"good bye," you'd better turn round and make 'em a bow,
for they are very polite people, is the French.'

"So Steve turns and takes off his hat, and makes them a
low bow, and they larfs wus than ever, and calls out
again, "La Fossy Your," "La Fossy Your." He was kinder
ryled, was the Elder. His honey had begun to farment,