“It is possible, monsieur,” said Frank, with a grim smile, “that they are copying their manners after Frenchmen at a Dreyfus demonstration.”

The foreigner turned haughtily and stared at Frank.  Then he shrugged his shoulders, turned away and observed to his companion: 

“Jes’ like all ze Americans—­ah!—­what eez ze word?—­fresh.”

The other man bowed and rubbed his hands together.

“Haw!” grunted Browning, lazily.  “How do you like that, Frank?”

“Oh, I don’t mind it,” murmured Merry.  “I consider the source from which it came, and regard it as of no consequence.”

Diamond was glaring at the Frenchman, for it made his hot Southern blood boil to hear a foreigner criticize anything American.  Like all youthful Americans, his great admiration and love for his own country made him intolerant of criticism.

Frank had a cooler head, and he was not so easily ruffled.

Rattleton was unable to express his feelings.

Tutor Maybe looked somewhat perturbed, for he was an exceedingly mild and peaceable man, and the slightest suggestion of trouble was enough to agitate him.

But the Frenchman did not deign to look toward Frank again, and it seemed that all danger of trouble was past.

The “Eagle” sailed slowly down the harbor, signaling now and then to other boats.

Frank, Jack, Bruce and Harry formed a fine quartette, and they sang: 

     “Soon we’ll be in London town;
       Sing, my lads, yo! heave, my lads, ho! 
     And see the queen, with her golden crown;
       Heave, my lads, yo-ho!”

The Frenchman made an impatient gesture, and showed annoyance, which caused Frank to laugh.

Behind them Brooklyn Bridge spanned the river, looking slender and graceful, like a thing hung in the air by delicate threads.

Close at hand were Governor’s Island and the Statue of Liberty.  The Frenchman was pointing it out.

“Ze greatest work of art in all America,"’ he declared, enthusiastically; “an’ France give zat to America.  Ze Americans nevare think to put eet zere themselves.  France do more for America zan any ozare nation, but ze Americans forget.  Zey forget Lafayette.  Zey forget France make it possibul for zem to conquaire Engalande an’ get ze freedom zey ware aftaire.  An’ now zey—­zey—­what you call eet?—­toady to Engalande.  Zey pretende to love ze Engaleesh.  Bah!  Uncale Sam an’ John Bull both need to have some of ze conaceit taken out away from zem.”

“It would take more than France, Spain, Italy and all the rest of the dago nations to do the job!” spluttered Harry Rattleton, who could not keep still longer.

“Maurel,” said the Frenchman, speaking to his companion, “t’row ze insolent dog ovareboard!”

“Oui, monsieur!”

Quick as thought the man sprang toward Harry, as if determined to execute the command of his master.