"Nonsense, you've got to pass the time. I tried a hand myself, but those

old fellows are too many for me. The Delegate knows all the points.

I'd bet a hundred dollars he will ante his way right into the United

States Senate when his territory comes in. He's got the cheek for it."

He has the grave and thoughtful manner of expectoration of a public man,

for one thing," added Philip.

Harry," said Philip, after a pause, "what have you got on those big

boots for; do you expect to wade ashore?"

I'm breaking 'em in."

The fact was Harry had got himself up in what he thought a proper costume

for a new country, and was in appearance a sort of compromise between a

dandy of Broadway and a backwoodsman. Harry, with blue eyes, fresh

complexion, silken whiskers and curly chestnut hair, was as handsome as

a fashion plate. He wore this morning a soft hat, a short cutaway coat,

an open vest displaying immaculate linen, a leathern belt round his

waist, and top-boots of soft leather, well polished, that came above his

knees and required a string attached to his belt to keep them up. The

light hearted fellow gloried in these shining encasements of his well

shaped legs, and told Philip that they were a perfect protection against

prairie rattle-snakes, which never strike above the knee.

The landscape still wore an almost wintry appearance when our travelers

135

The Gilded Age