, 1858-11-19

| The block-housc had a very durable appear
ance; il was two stories high, and the upper
room was neatly furnished. On the wall OBJ
served portrait Of General Moreau. NY host
was no friend Of the first Emperor cf the French
the present Emperor he mentioned only once
during our conversation, and had better not say
what he said. o1.' iaW iiia
lie lighted candle and began to block the
windows up, whilst was eating and drinking
what he had placed upon the table, and mixing
rum and water in large bowl
"TO the success Of the good cause!" he said,
touching glasses with me.
"But don't see my arms Ipresently sug-
gested.
"Arms? have plenty Of that stuff. How do
you think a man could get on in these woods
without arms? But we shan't want them to-
night" Again he laughed. awe have the
Princess Royal" a
He removed the candle with the other things
from the table, and then went out Of the room.
The door was opened again about five minutes
afterwards heard the crack Of whip; saw
a rapid fash before my eyes, and, with mighty
bound, that made my very blood run cold, large
jaguar leaped in, alighting with heavy pouncc
upon the table.
"La Princesse Royall" announced my host.
] do not know exactly what figure may have
presented at that moment, but should not
wonder il anybody were to tell me that looked
like a craven.
"Don't be afraid Of her. said the laughing
Frenchman, when he saw me still as mouse,
scarcely venturing to turn my looks to her bright
cruel eyes. "She is as decent as a cat when 1
am by. Caress her, she likes to be iondled; its
the weak side Of the sex, you know"
touched her delicate fur but slightly with my
hand, strOking il softly down her strong and
beautiful back, the right way Of the fur, you
may be sure
She bent her powerful and elastic limbs under
my frail hand and tanning the air with her curved
tail, seemed to encourage me to bestow more ca
resscs.
swell, how do you like the Princcsssn asked
my host
"Why, she is indeed handsome and have
seen none in tho world more majestic
Il Il
Take her downstairs, George, he said to the
lad, handing the whip over to him, and keep a
lookout yourself; but mind you don't give her
any supper. She shall help herself tonight
lie placed the candle and our glasses again
upon the table, and began to sip his grOg quite
leisurely.
"By heavens, man. said, after pause, it
cannot be Jour real purpose to sot the tiger on
those peopleT 5 assid
"Eh, parbleup replied he "and why mott
What else do they deseryes Are they not also
tigers! You don't know them as l do. The tall
rascal is convicted felon and ought to have been
hanged two years ago at San Francisco. He con
trivod an escape, and fled to Kansas. As to the
other rogue, there is hardly crime he has not
stained his hands with. Make your mind easy
about that"
sudden thought came into my mind, and
asked dwhethcr he knew anything about that muir
der Of my friend ten years ago in the rayine near
Jose Maria2
No, heknew nothing about that; il was before
his time; only he should not wonder il the major
had had hand in it; il looked very ike him.
We were interrupted by a loud knocking at
the door. The lad came in soon afterwards, tell
ling us that he could descyy five Of them all on
horseback.
The old man rose, and moving one Of the mat
tresscs little aside, he looked cautiously through
the window. II was about nine O'Clock, and the
darkness began to set in with the rapidity pccu-
liar to southern climates