"Why, really gentlemen, your principles seem, in my opinion, to be none of the worst, and provided I was not sworn to the service of my present lord and master, I do not know whether I should not propose to join you."

"We must know much of you," proceeds the Captain, "before you would be admitted to that honour; think not, after what we have been driven to experience, that we are credulous. Heavy indeed have been my sufferings; but, as the lion sometimes trifles with his prey, that he may next devour it with more voracity, so I hereafter will glut on mine, which else I could immediately devour."

"So as you do not mean to devour us,' returned Harold, "no doubt but we shall in time become very good company. I like your habitation amazingly every thing about it looks so beautifully fright

ful, especially that scull and bones you have nailed at the top of the table."

66

Aye, there you may see we look death in the face morning noon and night. Death, simply death, is nothing in itself; the being who can inflict the severest insults on a great and noble mind, despoil it of honour, glory, fame, (not to mention love and vast possessions,) but because he is sanctioned and secured by power and regal shelter, deserves not death alone, but death with torture. There sits the object of my mortal hatred," pointing to Ethelbald," and he shall feel the power of my vengeance-there is the victim I would devour and there the wretch who one day shall know in direst horror, the story of my privations."

The Earl, starting from his seat, was about to address the miscreant in the sable mask, but he forbade it upon pain of in

stant death; though he would have been sorry to have seen the blow struck that must have prevented him from prolonging his torment on his victim.

"If it be so," cries Harold, (first pressing his foot on the Earl's, under the table,) "I do not see why I should be punished for another's transgressions, therefore, my Lord, if you choose to be guilty of all these faults for your own amusement you ought to suffer for them by yourself. In return for bringing me into such vile disgrace, I renounce your service and desert your cause. There is something bold and independent in the life I see before me, and I should like to become a member of so noble a calling: rather than have what is called my liberty again, if the Captain will not receive me into the number, here will I fall and die by my own hands." Then taking up a flask, he loudly con

cludes with, "my brave hearts success to Rapine."

All was silence at first-after a pause the cavern resounded with peals of laughter-" Here is a hop-o'-my-thumb fellow for you," exclaims one of the robbers.

"After that fine speech he will do," cries another.

"Not for our trade exactly," adds a third.

"Did he think to trap old birds so easily," continues a fourth.

"He has called in at the wrong time," says another; and so it went on, till the Captain took up the flaggon and pronounced again, "Rapine," when the repetition of the word, from his followers, shook the cavern to its base.

"You may now perceive our firmness and sincerity," advanced Furbrand, “we are neither to be duped nor shaken.

There sits my deadly hate, and long will he suffer, before I remove this barrier from my brow, to tell him who I am, recount my wrongs, and lastly, plunge this dagger in his heart."adopul

Ethelbald again arose to speak, but was forbidden.

Rising from his seat, the robber continued, "I intended to have had your dignity in my power shortly, but not so soon: however, as fate has ordained it, so let it be. Nothing, I knew, could save you from my hands but supernatural aid, and fortunately for me you have never consulted it. That you may be assured I am your enemy, and exult in my revenge, I drink to the secret and undisturbed pleasures of. Florimund and Gumilda!?? Dashing the utensil on the tabley he seated himself with a conscious satisfaction of that blow being effectual, and eyed, as