"Canadian, and wood ranger; but, look ye, General, if we go on this way we shall never come to an end. I prefer coming straight to facts. I have come to offer you a bargain."
"What is it?"
"Oh, oh, General, do not go on too fast; in the first place how much will you give me?"
"Why in the first place I must know—"
"The amount, that is true; well, I will tell you,—four hundred ounces."[1]
"What! Four hundred ounces!" the general exclaimed, "You seem to me to be an amusing scoundrel; but take care I do not hang you, in order to teach you not to play the mountebank with me."
"That is the reward for doing people a service," the Canadian said with a philosophic shrug of his shoulders.
"But, animal," the general continued impatiently, "what service are you doing me?"
"An immense one, General."
"Come, explain yourself."