hardly above a whisper. He heard footsteps, | battle the French were successful; for I do be and then the dim light of a lantern shed its lieve that of all soldiers in the world the French rays up through the holes and cracks in the soldiers are the bravest. floor. In vain he tried to identify the voices; the whispers did not enable him to do so. He dared not move, lest the creaking of the timbers should alarm the nocturnal visitors. He was satisfied that the persons below were engaged in some kind of mischief, and it was his business to know what it was, and who the men were. Near the centre of the loft there was a large hole in the floor, and he commenced working himself by hundredth parts of an inch towards it; but every time he moved, however slightly, the creaking joist threatened to betray his presence, and he decided to satisfy himself at once. One glance might inform him who the men were, and perhaps the mystery of the stolen gold would be solved. The steward made a spring towards the aperture, throwing himself forward upon his hands, so as to look down through the hole. He had forgotten the ruinous condition of the Hotel de Poisson. His weight and the force of his movement were too much for the strength of the rotten wood; a timber gave way, and Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier was precipitated, head first, through the hole he had made, and striking between the two men, who sat, each on a rock facing the other, with the light on the ground between them. The lantern was smashed, and the two men uttered a howl of III. MY [TO BE CONTINUED.] NEAR VIEWS OF ROYALTY. BY OLIVE LOGAN. THE LITTLE FRENCH PRINCE AND THE last chapter told you about the opera in Paris, and the singer who sang the C sharp, and the old sweetheart of the emperor, Kate Howard, and how cross she looked at the empress. But while these good people were enjoying themselves in Paris, - Kate Howard in making sour faces at the empress, and the empress in making sweet faces to the public, the emperor was at the head of his army, in Italy, fighting the Austrians. At almost every Well, I take that back. No soldiers could be braver than our own dear boys in blue; and I must say, that the great, big, burly English soldiers, with their scarlet coats and their queer hats, look as if they, too, could hold their own in a fair fight; but the French are wonderfully wiry little creatures, and can endure easily what other men would consider dreadful hardships: They only get one cent a day payment for their services. Not a very heavy salary is it? No other men in the world, I suppose, would fight for so little. In the next place, although the French are good cooks when they have anything to cook, and good eaters, too, when they have anything to eat, when they have not they can manage to sustain life on things which other men would sooner starve than touch. For instance, we all know that they eat horse, and pronounce it very palatable; as for frogs, they consider them as great a delicacy as we do oysters; and when they are at all put to it they will eat rats, and mice, and cats, and puppies, just as the Chinese do. It has passed almost into a proverb that the English can't fight till they are fed. The Americans will fight till they die; but that will not be long if they are not fed and cared for. But these French seem half monkeys and half wolves, and don't care whether they eat, drink, or sleep. This strong power of endurance is, more than bravery, the secret of their success in battle. I don't mean to say that they were ever so hard up for food in Italy as to be obliged to eat those nasty things which I have mentioned, for Italy is a country which is very fruitful, and generally the wants of the army were well supplied. Nevertheless, when they were fighting, it was not easy to get anything to eat; and, on the day of the battle of Solferino, the emperor himself had nothing to eat all day long but a small piece of chocolate, which he found in his pocket. After a while the Austrians concluded they were going to get the worst of this fighting, and they proposed to the emperor to lay down arms. After certain conditions Napoleor agreed to do so; and when this arrangement was completed, the emperor resolved to go back to Paris. He arrived at this beautiful city one day towards the end of July, and went immediately out to the Palace of St. Cloud, where the empress and the little prince imperial, their boy, were then residing. They were both very glad to see the emperor, and both kissed him, and | imitation of white marble, with blue veins at cried for joy at his return. the base; the upper portion represented red For two weeks the emperor rested at St. marble, with gold cornices. Each of these Cloud, and did not show himself to the peo-gates was surmounted by a gilt statue of Vicple; but by and by, the victorious troops began tory, with outstretched hands, offering crowns to return to Paris, and then the emperor re- of golden laurels. solved that, on the 14th of August, he would pass the army in review, in presence of the populace. Inside the Place itself (a sort of square) crimson velvet hangings, embroidered with the imperial bees and the letter N in gold, were suspended from each story of the houses around the square. Golden eagles, with outspread wings, were ranged, at regular intervals, on the roofs, while tricolor flags and medallions with the imperial cipher com No sooner had he given orders to this effect, than the authorities went to work to decorate the city in honor of the victorious braves eighty thousand of them - who were to return to that dear Paris, which they all so loved, and where many of them had mothers, fathers, sis-pleted the decoration. ters, brothers, wives, and children living. O, how shall I ever find words to describe the scene the streets of Paris presented on that day - Paris, which is always so magnificent, now decorated with all the taste and elegance for which the French are renowned! At every one of the Barrières, or gates of the city, were erected gilt masts, festooned with garlands of laurel leaves, and from their summits floated green banners, embroidered with gold. Triumphal arches were in abundance. One, I remember, was made to represent the grand entrance to the world-renowned cathedral at Milan. The balcony (or trib une, as it is called in France), occupied by the empress, in front of the residence of a government official, was ornamented by trophies taken in war, while the inside was decorated with the national flags. Above this was a large tent of crimson velvet, striped with gold, and supported by golden lances, which protected her majesty from the rays of the sun. Around the square were raised rows of benches, with capacity for seating twenty thousand spectators. These benches were entirely draped with crimson velvet, trimmed with gold fringe; and when filled with richly-dressed ladies and gentlemen, many of the latter in uniform, the brilliant spectacle gave one an idea of what a Roman amphitheatre must have looked like on a day of triumph. The fine bronze column, surmounted by the statue of the first Napoleon, which always stands in the centre of this square, was ornamented with garlands of every description, flags, banners, and wreaths of im Another was of Moorish construction, and surmounted by an immense golden eagle, on whose wings were written, "To Napoleon III. To the Army of Italy. Long live the Emperor!" All the churches, theatres, and public buildings were decorated in a style of fabulous magnificence. From the windows of almost every house in the town, and even from trees, drooped myriads of flags. Gilt ropes | mortelles. were stretched from window to window across the streets, and then covered with flags, laurel wreaths, and bouquets of flowers. Hundreds of people passed the entire night previous to the ceremony in the streets, to be sure of hav-riages came up, the first containing the empress ing good places in the morning. The sun rose on the great day, and showed a dense crowd of humanity, dressed in their best, all struggling to get a near view of the emperor. Every window, every balcony, every doorway, was filled with spectators. At a quarter past ten, the military band stationed at the entrance of the Place Vendome began to play the national air of Partant pour la Syrie; and immediately four gala car and the prince imperial, the others the Princess Mathilde, and different members of the imperial family. Her majesty was attired in a white dress, a shawl of black lace, and a Leghorn bonnet, trimmed with feathers of the national colors red, white, and blue. The little prince wore the uniform of the grenadiers of the guard, and as he was only four years old then, and the grenadier's hat was bigger than himself, — it is a great, high hat, covered with hair, and looks exactly like a he was a funny-looking little But the great point of interest in the city was the Place Vendome. Here the empress was to see the troops, and here those who were fortunate enough to obtain tickets could view all the beauty, fashion, nobility, and royalty of the great capital assembled. The deco-lady's muff, rations were more magnificent here than anywhere else. At the entrance of the two streets At half past ten, we, who were seated near which lead into the Place Vendome triumphal | the empress, heard loud shouts, coming from arches were erected. They were made of an the other streets, of Long live the emperor!" body, I can assure you. - At this we knew that his majesty was approaching; and thereupon the whole of the twenty thousand people assembled in the square rose to their feet, and the band played a fine French air, called "Victory is Ours." Immediately the army appeared, headed by the brass band of the Hundred Guards, in full uniform, light blue cloth coats and steel helmets; then the imperial staff; then the emperor himself, on horseback, with his sword drawn, and wearing the uniform of a general, with the grand cordon of the Lgion of Honor. His majesty was received with long and continued cheers, which he acknowledged by a bow of his head. As he approached the empress, however, he saluted her by raising his sword to his lips, and then lowering it almost to the ground. He then After they passed, the cavalry (or soldiers on stationed himself in front of her tribune, hav- horseback) made their appearance. A splening on one side of him Marshal Pelissier, Duke did sight! Hundreds and hundreds of men, of Malakoff, and on the other Marshal Ran- in bright uniforms, with shining helmets on don. And now - grandest sight of all on their heads, and mounted on fine, large horses, came the troops, steadily march marching | richly caparisoned, pranced swiftly before the past the imperial family. At sight of them the imperial party, raising their glittering swords enthusiasm was intense. Flowers were show-in the air as they galloped onward, and utterered down upon their heads, handkerchiefs ing one long shout of triumph. It was a scene waved, and twenty thousand people gave forth of wildest enthusiasm. No one heeded the one loud and long shout of welcome. The rain, which now began to fall, but one and all little prince was stood up on a chair, that he sat still until the last horse had galloped by, might see and be seen, and the empress whis- until the last cheer had died on the air, until pered to him to draw his sword. In pulling it the last drum had ceased to beat; and the out of the scabbard the little fellow nearly top-grand review was over. pled over head foremost, and his nurse was obliged to hold his hat on till he unsheathed his sword. He was little more than a baby, and I don't think he understood a thing of what was going on. However, he stood on the chair, and stamped his feet, and waved his sword, and cried, "Ba-ba!" and I do believe that any little American boy, who never saw a prince or an emperor, would be fully able to do the same. And still tramp tramp tramp the boys were marching. Regiment arter regi ment passed, greeting the emperor with lowered flags, and swords swung high in air, and shouts which rang out shrilly on the noonday breeze. When the grenadiers appeared (the regiment to which the little prince belongs and whose soldiers all wear the funny, mufflike hats), the empress sent the little fellow down to the emperor, who placed him up in | front of himself on his horse, where the grenadiers could get a near view of their royal child-. comrade. They cheered him loudly, and the emperor whispered in his son's ear, whereupon the little prince applauded them with his fat and red little hands. At the head of the army came the wounded soldiers, with priests walking by their sides. The emperor saluted these poor fellows with a bended head; and, wounded as they were, and evidently suffering, they cheered him as they passed. One young officer, both of whose hands had been carried away by the same ball at the battle of Solferino, was greeted with cheers by the assembled crowd. A smile played on his pale features, and bending his head low, he feebly cried, "Long live the empress! The band of wounded was small; the band of dead was large; but the dead, you know, had been buried on the battle-fields, though their memory will live forever in the breasts of those who love them. LIFE IN INDIA. A NARROW ESCAPE. BY HARRIETTE B. COTES. HE mutiny of the Sepoys spread through THE out the length and breadth of India. The dark shadow of rebellion fell upon the quiet valley in which was the home of my parents, and only too soon did they have reason to entertain the most serious apprehensions as to their safety. They had flattered themselves that, situated as it was far up in the north-eastern part of Hindostan, the province of Assam would remain quiet and undisturbed, and that thus they would not be placed in any immediate danger. But, alas! they were too sanguine; for the mutinous spirit which prevailed throughout Bengal and the northern and western provinces reached Assam also, and a plot was laid for the massacre of every white person in that part of the country. Fortunately, it was discovered, and the traitors and conspirators frustrated in their designs. It was found that a treasonable corresponder.ce had been maintained between the mutineers of Bengal and Delhi and the Sepoys of Assam. The spark of rebellion was already kindled, and needed but little to fan it into a blaze. Had it not been for the watchful care of an overruling Providence, and the bravery and resolution of the English officers, the bloody tragedies of Meerut, Delhi, and Cawnpore might have been reenacted. The beginnings of a mutiny in Assam were fortunately quelled by Major Holyroyd. Whispers of revolt and omens of disaffection had for some weeks been perceived among the Sepoys, and his suspicions became keenly aroused. It was soon discovered that a definite plan for massacring the white residents and officers had been agreed upon. placed under a strong guard and sent immediately on to Calcutta. In the mean time the officers who remained in command of the station endeavored to take a course that would allay any suspicion on the part of the Sepoys. During the absence of Major Holyroyd it was given out that he was confined to his room and bed by sickness, and no native was permitted to enter. This capture and removal of the young king was a temporary check to the plans of the would-be mutineers. Still, the white residents were in great danger, and every heart was full of gloomy apprehension. So great was the uneasiness all over the province, that none felt safe to sleep without arms within their reach. My father and mother and sister especially felt anxiety, for they happened to be the only white persons in the station where they resided. There was usually an English magistrate there, besides other officials; but at the time of the insurrection all these positions of trust chanced to be filled by natives. The magistrate pro tem. was a Hindoo of high rank, who had been educated in the best government schools, and was very inteliigent and accomplished. Just across the street from our dwelling were the barracks of the Sepoys - a prox. imity that now proved rather undesirable. What was there not to be feared from these men, who had not a single European officer to control and restrain them! My parents felt the utmost alarm, but thought it best, and even necessary, not to betray it by word or sign, and therefore assumed a composure they were far from really possessing. In Upper Assam the signal was to have been the blowing of the bugle. But the bugler prov-| identially failed to do this at the appointed time, and the day of murder was delayed till the omens should be more auspicious. In the mean time a police officer became cognizant of a plan to place the dethroned king of Assam on the throne of his ancestors. It was formed by the Sepoys, who, cautiously but surely, were proceeding to its execution. After Assam had become a part of the British dominions, the native king and his family had lived in comparative seclusion in one of the northern towns. The descendants of the ex-king were nothing loath to be restored to the rank and privileges of royalty, and willingly entered into the designs of the conspirators. The British authorities saw that it was a matter of the utmost importance to make the young king a prisoner, | and determined to do this, trusting it would effectually thwart the plans of the rebels. Soon after the police officer had given information of the daring plot, Major Holyroyd sent two companies of loyal troops, called Gookhas, to the king's palace, by land. He enjoined upon them perfect stillness and caution, and then himself stepped into a small canoe, in which were two fishermen. Placing a pistol at the head of each, he ordered them to row noiselessly and rapidly down the stream in the direction that he pointed out. He threatened them with instant death if they made the least noise or resistance, and so far succeeded in intimidating them that they obeyed him without a word. Before daybreak officers and sol-alized. diers met around the dwelling of the ex-king. This they quickly surrounded, and on the appearance of the surprised inmates demanded a surrender of the person of the king. After a brief show of resistance the unwilling king was taken and hurried on board a boat in waiting. On reaching the station he was These Sepoys, whose quarters were so near, had hitherto been always very respectful to them, and they never had passed their barracks without receiving from them an obsequious sa lute. Now, however, their manner was startlingly changed. They became insolent and boastful, and made use of threatening language. They told the native Christians that ere long they would cut off their heads and throw them into the river, and that their white teachers would also very soon be put to death. My parents felt that a crisis was rapidly approaching, and made every preparation for a hasty flight, in case their worst fears were re Not wishing to leave the bungalow unless it became absolutely necessary, they de cided to await further developments, and trust for the best. They resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible if attacked by the mutineers; and accordingly my mother and sister learned how to fire off a gun, and acquired dexterity in the use of other weapons of de fence. My sister slept with her gun at the | were strongly armed and resolutely prepared fʊ, any emergency, determined to die rather than be taken alive. And, indeed, death was fat preferable to falling into the tender mercies* of these fiends in luman form. head of her bed, and said she would shoot twenty of the wretches before they killed her. She possessed a good deal of what has been vulgarly called “pluck,” and I doubt not would have endeavored to make good her word. O, how lonely and insecure my parents felt in this time of terrible anxiety and alarm! The natives tried to frighten them at night; for they frequently heard strange noises around their dwelling, sometimes as if heavy logs were being drawn up and down the front veranda steps. They arranged a plan upon which they meant to act in case the mutineers should make their dreaded onset by night. A large basket was kept in readiness, with a stout rope attached, into which my mother and sister were to step and be lowered to the ground by my father. Then they were to flee to a little outhouse not far from the bungalow, where was a good place for concealment. My father was to barricade the door and follow them as soon as practicable. Their suspense, at length, became truly agonizing; and as day followed day, they were only more confident that their most gloomy forebodings would be confirmed. At last it came, - the long looked-for and dreaded tidings! and with painfully beating hearts they listened to the intelligence that the day and hour had been fixed, when, throughout Assam, the Sepoys were to rise and cut the throats of every foreigner! At the fatal sound of the bugle the massacre was to commence! Most providentially this terrible plot had been discovered, and a warning given to the intended victims. The officials in Upper Assam advised all Europeans to concentrate at Gowahatti, the capital of the province, or at least that all women and children should be sent there. This important station was a hundred miles farther down the river, and the risk to be encountered in reaching it was great. Still, our only hope of safety lay in arriving there; and so, after anxious deliberation, my parents decided to make the attempt, for it was far better and safer than to remain where they were. At Gowahatti they would not be so isolated and unprotected as they were at Nowgong, the station where they resided; and though there the force of Sepoys was stronger, it was hoped that the undaunted little band of Europeans would be able to keep them in check. Arrangements were made for an instant and stealthy departure from Nowgong; and one dark night, hurriedly and sadly, they entered their small boat, which had been procured and prepared for the flight down the river. They The journey to Gowahatti took three days; and during those never-to-be-forgotten hours the little band of fugitives endured the most torturing suspense. They had heard nothing from the station to which they were hastening, and knew not but that it had fallen before the mutineers. Their hearts sickened as they thought of the gantlet of murderous Sepoys | they might possibly have to run. They prayed and trusted that it might not be so, but thought it best to prepare for so fearful a contingency. My father had taught my sister how to load, and the powder and weapons were placed by her in the middle of the boat. My mother, who was sick at this time, was borne farther back, in a place of greater security, and my father took his position at the opening in front. There is a bend in the river just before reaching the station, and as the boat neared this point, O, how anxiously did those trembling ones peep out from their shelter to see if the British colors were still flying from the flagstaff! If they should not be visible, they knew only too fatally what it portended. As the boat turned the bend, and the station burst upon them in its Oriental beauty, every fibre of their being seemed wrought up to the utmost intensity. Those who know what it is to feel their all at stake, that life and death are trembling in the balance, that unutterable woe or joy are just before them, will understand the feelings which agitated their beating hearts. Nearer and nearer they came to the picturesque station; and as they caught sight of the English flag waving proudly over the encampment, they sank on their knees and blessed God, weeping for very joy! The hour of darkest danger was past, and deliverance was at hand. They found the Sepoys at Gowahatti were still quiet, though it was feared they would rise. The Europeans went out and drilled daily before them, my father and the other missionaries also assuming a soldier's garb. This they did to show the Sepoys that they were not afraid of them, and would defend themselves to the last. And it was not without its effect, for this heroic little band of thirty white men succeeded in keeping in awe that force of six hundred Sepoys until help arrived from Calcutta in the shape of an armed government steamer, in which my parents and others took passage, and were safely conveyed to Calcutta. From thence they sailed for their |