A SLANDER1 travelling rapidly through the land upon its joyous2

　　mission was accosted3 by a Retraction4 and commanded to halt and be

　　killed.

　　"Your career of mischief5 is at an end," said the Retraction,

　　drawing his club, rolling up his sleeves, and spitting on his

　　hands.

　　"Why should you slay6 me?" protested the Slander. "Whatever my

　　intentions were, I have been innocuous, for you have dogged my

　　strides and counteracted7 my influence."

　　"Dogged your grandmother!" said the Retraction, with contemptuous

　　vulgarity of speech. "In the order of nature it is appointed that

　　we two shall never travel the same road."

　　"How then," the Slander asked, triumphantly8, "have you overtaken

　　me?"

　　"I have not," replied the Retraction; "we have accidentally met. I

　　came round the world the other way."

　　But when he tried to execute his fell purpose he found that in the

　　order of nature it was appointed that he himself perish miserably9

　　in the encounter.