As a matter of fact, he had seen fewer than twenty Americans in all that time.

He was a vigorous, healthy young man, and it may well be presumed that the situation bored him.
Small wonder, then, that he kept out of mischief for half a year.
Diplomatic service is one thing and the lack of opportunity is quite another.

Chase did his best to find occupation for his diplomacy, but what chance had he with nothing ahead of him but regular reports to the department in which he could only announce that he was in good health and that no one had "called." Chase belonged to the diplomatic class which owes its elevation to the influence of Congress--not to Congress as a body but to one of its atoms.

He was not a politician; no more was he an office seeker.

He was a real soldier of fortune, in search of affairs--in peace or in war, on land or at sea.