"Ay, hearty enough for a tontine," said the lean little old man; his sinews were wiry, and his eye bright.
"Does heat disagree with you?"
"Quite the contrary."
"What do you say to Africa?"
"A very nice country!—The French went there with the little Corporal" (Napoleon).
"To get us all out of the present scrape, you must go to Algiers," said the Baron.
"And how about my business?"
"An official in the War Office, who has to retire, and has not enough to live on with his pension, will buy your business."
"And what am I to do in Algiers?"
"Supply the Commissariat with victuals, corn, and forage; I have your commission ready filled in and signed. You can collect supplies in the country at seventy per cent below the prices at which you can credit us."