CHAPTER XII.
RECROSSING THE CHANNEL, ISRAEL RETURNS TO THE SQUIRE'S ABODE--HIS ADVENTURES THERE.
On the third day, as Israel was walking to and fro in his room, having removed his courier's boots, for fear of disturbing the Doctor, a quick sharp rap at the door announced the American envoy.

The man of wisdom entered, with two small wads of paper in one hand, and several crackers and a bit of cheese in the other.

There was such an eloquent air of instantaneous dispatch about him, that Israel involuntarily sprang to his boots, and, with two vigorous jerks, hauled them on, and then seizing his hat, like any bird, stood poised for his flight across the channel.
"Well done, my honest friend," said the Doctor; "you have the papers in your heel, I suppose." "Ah," exclaimed Israel, perceiving the mild irony; and in an instant his boots were off again; when, without another word, the Doctor took one boot, and Israel the other, and forthwith both parties proceeded to secrete the documents.
"I think I could improve the design," said the sage, as, notwithstanding his haste, he critically eyed the screwing apparatus of the boot.

"The vacancy should have been in the standing part of the heel, not in the lid.

It should go with a spring, too, for better dispatch.