is--excellent policy.'

"When he says that, you have him bagged, he may flounder
and spring like a salmon jist caught; but be can't out
of the landin' net. You've got him, and no mistake. Sais
you 'what outlet have you for the colonies?'

"Well, he'll scratch his head and stare at that, for a
space. He'll hum and haw a little to get breath, for he
never thought of that afore, since he grow'd up; but he's
no fool, I can tell you, and he'll out with his mould,
run an answer and be ready for you in no time. He'll say,
'They don't require none. Sir. They have no redundant
population. They are an outlet themselves.'

"Sais you, 'I wasn't talking of an outlet for population,
for France or the provinces nother. I was talking of an
outlet for the clever men, for the onquiet ones, for the
fiery spirits.'

"'For that. Sir,' he will say, 'they have the local
patronage.'

"'Oh!' sais you, 'I warn't aware. I beg pardon, I have
been absent some time, as long as twenty days or perhaps
twenty-five, there must have been great changes, since
I left.'

"'The garrison,' sais you.