across the line, and into the waters not held sacred against American hooks by British law.  And to this end a goodly amount of bait was ground up; and the wind coming in the quarter most favorable to our movements, canvas was got on the Starlight, and in charge of Splitwater, who was directed to keep a bright eye on the warships, she put to sea like a thing of life dancing with snowy wings over the blue, blue waters.  While he was taking care of the fish, Smooth remained on shore, keeping those who attended the political meeting all right, and making a speech or two when called upon.

“To hear the eloquent Joe Howe tell the Nova Scotians what they would be were it not for James Johnson and Toryism was really very amusing.  He forgot to tell them that he had no serious objection to being made Colonial Secretary seeing that a nice little salary was attached.  When Smooth made his appearance at the political gathering of course no one thought there was any fish-taking going on.  Then he endeavored to make the credulous citizens feel free and easy, entertaining them with jokes of a strong kind, and explaining the crude process of electioneering down in Texas and Arkansas.  No sooner had the politicians got through their speeches than they retired to what was called an ‘open house,’ where all good radicals could drink ad libitum and make merry.  Smooth was honored with an invitation to join in a few joyous glasses, but he rather doubted the policy of drinking so much election liquor.  It might under certain circumstances serve the ends of politicians, but never the greater interests of a nation.  A drinking man is sure to fool himself in the end, nor can a man serve the interests of the State who neglects his own.  But, be it here understood Uncle Sam, there is a philosophical way of applying the practical to make things profitable, which may be carried out with more facility by making oneself cheerful and courteous with those among whom we may be cast.  This Smooth always aimed to do.

After a while Smooth calculated how he’d got politics enough; an’ knowin’ how Splitwater was ‘commodatin’ the mackerel outside the line, he steps down to Deacon Sam Moody’s prayer meetin’, what they holds at night after the ’lection meetin.  Here it was all right; Smooth was just as much of a Christian as anybody could honestly be, and a longer face nobody could desire.  Smooth, at the Deacon’s, was-well known for his pious principles; but the good folk about there had never seen Smooth in an anxious way.  Well, the deacon congratulated Smooth on his appearance, his spiritual welfare, his happy prospects of something beyond this.  It would have done you good to see the brothers and sisters crowd round him, lookin’ so excited ’bout the care of somethin’ anybody can take care of without neglectin’ business. (We here give Smooth’s language in its crude state).  It was amazin’ to see what an amount of pious a fellow could get into his face, and then