"That was a narrow escape," said the professor.
"Yes, indeed," replied Captain Cannon. "I shall have a fine story to tell when I get back to London. First, I killed a savage buffalo bull, in the wilds of New Jersey."
"You didn't kill him," observed Mr. Twinkle.
"Didn't I?"
"No, indeed. I think that honor belongs to me."
"Any way, you shot something and that was myself. I'll forgive you, if you will let me say, without fear of contradiction, that I slew the buffalo."
"You may as well tell a good lie while you are about it," said Mr. Mole. "I always do."
"I have remarked that already," observed the captain.
"A small falsehood is a contemptible thing, but there is some glory in a big one."
"In what way can I amend mine?"