disturbed in his temper at the state of his accounts, for he knew the city was as slow to pay an “over ordered” bill as it was quick in paying homage to great demagogues.  He therefore, in the kindest manner, intimated to the major, that unless he would be personally responsible for the “surplus,” he must close the score at his bar.  And this he said in self-protection, for no man could lay the charge of having done a mean act at his door.  The major, with becoming courtesy, pledged his honor to the landlord, and bid him think no more of the bill, since if he closed the floodgate of his bar, which gave out such exuberant medicine as made the tears of patriots to flow, his power would surely be at an end.  “Be not agitated, sir,” said he, with an air of enlarged self complacency, “but convert your misgivings into confidence in me, for I see you are a true republican, and would not harm a man whose fame is so well established.”  Thus the major addressed the landlord, who retired with regained confidence, and, as I thought, a feeling of self reproach for having intimated his doubts in the matter.

The major was now getting weary with the mighty business of receiving the compliments of ten score would-be patriots and noisy politicians, when there entered a greater man than any of them.  And this was no less a person than Don Fernando, a man of much will and circumstance, and now mayor of the city.  Many things had been said of this truly great man, not the least of which was, that the Romans ought to be thankful that he was not born in the days of the C‘sars, though in the honest yearnings of his ambition he had frequently indulged in the thought, that his wisdom and invincibility of arm was second to none of them.  Indeed, it was said among other things, equally true, that he had more than once consoled himself with the fact, that if he had not gained the notoriety of C‘sar, it was no fault of his will, for he could make promises he never meant to keep, and gnash his teeth at his enemies, to an extent that ought to satisfy the most enthusiastic admirer of Roman greatness.  But republicanism, as developed by the prudence of our people, had so changed and altered things, that great men, though they had performed unheard of deeds of valor, were laughed at when they assumed powers not clearly belonging to them.

As the design of this history will be imperfect unless I record what took place when these great men met, and which ought to be read and considered by future generations, I must here inform the reader, that he will find it faithfully translated in the next chapter.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Which carefully Records what passed between the major and the mayor-how they made speeches, and were serenaded.