Chapter IV

Now it came to pass that when UNCLE SAMUEL heard of these things, he was sorely riled; yea, his wrath was like unto a six-story stack of wolverines and wild-cats, mixed with sudden death and patent chain-lightning.

Howbeit he lost no time, and tarried not to take a long swear over the business,

But sent forth his ships:

Sending likewise THURLOW, whose surname was WEED, to prevail over MASON and SLY-DEAL, and come vitriol over their vinegar.

But when the people heard THURLOW say, 'I go, indeed, unto Europe, but not on this business--SLIDELL may slide for aught I care,'

Then the multitude winked one unto the other, so that such terrible winking was never before seen,

Exclaiming, 'Oh, yes--in a horn. We knew it not before, but now we know it for certain.'

And a certain SIMEON, whose surname was DRAPER, stood up in the market-place and wagered that THURLOW would pull the wool over Mason, and humble him;

And there were no takers. _Selah_.