Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-17
CHAPTER II.
THE BLOOD-HOCNDS.

Sometime near the middle of the day man
came down to the cell, and brought Fabian
some food and drink. 1t was Saul, the rob-
ber-or, in Gypsy parlance, tho ostiIador. He
seemed fitting man to stsnd in the shoes of
the dead Cover; and surely he was a ready
and expert tool In the hands Of the Gipsy
king.
The prisoner had thought of poison in his
mind, but it did not prevent him from eating:
though he did not relish the food quite SO we'll
as he might otherwise have done. Saul waited
little while, as though from curiosity. and
then left. When Fabian had eaten what he
pleased, he walked about the cell, feeling bis
way along by the wall, talking with himself as
he went. In this manner he had spent an
hour, or more, when he was disturbed in his
reflections by the approach of scme one towards
his place of confinement, and shortly after
wards his door was opened, and Saul again
made his appearance; but he did not this time
come alone; his companion, Anselmo, bore
him company.
"Well, my master,' spoke the former, show
would you like to smell the fresh air, and see
the stars? We have come to lead YOU out of
this place; and l shouldn't think you'd feel
many regrets in leaving it.''
"That may depend upon what gain by the
exchange" replied Fabian
"I guess the exchange will be all in your
favor,-that is, if you improve it. However,
we'll see by and by.
When the party reached the upper hall, in
stead OF turning towards the main part of the
building, they moved on to the rear, and passed
out, by the stables, ints small yard, where
they were joined by Jasper, ruffian whom we
have once before noticed. In this yard we're
secured two large, powerful blood hounds,
which leaped furiously at our hero as he en-
tered, but their stout chains prevented their
reaching him. Nevertheless, be was startled
by their savage movements, for he knew their
disposition too we'll, and he withdrew to the
further corner Of the enclosure jasper spoke
to the brutes, and bade them be quiet. they
obeyed him in measure by crouching away
towards their kennel and lying down; but they
still kept their fiery eyes fixed upon the youth.
and their low, deep growing seemed to tell
that they did not fancy the presence of the in
terloper.
In the meantime the three ostiladors con-
versed apart, and finally Saul and Anselmo ap.
preached the prisoner, and informed him that
he was to accompany them.
we have learned the kings will" said
Saul, "and we know now exactly what to do.
We shall 60 with you a little way, and when
you know our object don't think you III want
to make any fuss. So don't be frightened
~ am not used to being frightened sirs :"
said Fabian, quickly and proudly.
81 didn't mean that you were" responded
the villain. &C. only meant that you shouldn t
have any fears of US, for thought You looked
and acted as though you fancied we would do
you harm; but as I'm alive, we don't mean to
harm you in the least. We're not going to
hurt hair of your head"
Our hero wondered if Saul spoke truly. If
he did, then what meant this secret departure
from the camp? And, on tho other hard, if
they did mean any violence, what object could
they have in denying it9 Perhaps, to keep
him quiet; and thus render their work the more
easy. He pondered upon it, and was, in the
end, rather inclined to doubt the truth Of the
villains assertions.
Meantime they had reached the deep wood,
at point where narrow, blind huntine-path
wound its devious way among the big trees,
and Anselmo had taken small lantern from
beneath his frock to help light them on, for it
was very dark n the deep forest The mot n
was not yet up, and the stars could dart but
few beams through the rank foliage of the
great oaks. Saul held the prisoner By the left