Captain Fracasse

in the kitchen. There was certainly something suspicious about the fierce way in whic

to her, crept softly to the door, which she cautiously unlatched, and escaped into the open air without making any more sound than a shadow, then walked slowly and listlessly away until she had turned a corner and was out of sight of the house, when she set off running as fleetly as

f the grove. Here she stood still for a moment, peering anxiously about her, and then, putting two fingers in her mouth, gave three shrill whistles, such as no traveller in those desolate reg

do you bring? You are late. I had given over

ssed like a Spanish peasant, and in the red woollen girdle wound several times around his waist was stuck a formidable knife, called in Spain a navaja. The desperadoes who make use of these terrible weapons usually display as many red stripes, cut in the steel, upon their long pointed blades as they have committed murders, and a

caressingly on the child's head, "and wha

nswered. "I saw them carry five large chests into the barn, and t

stones into their boxes to make them seem very w

one of them, the prettiest, had round her neck a row of round, shining, white things, and oh! they were

worth having-provided they are real-but then they do make such perfect i

coaxing tones, and without paying any attention to his mutterings, "

ith your rags and tatter

ached-and I have never once kept you waiting for your food, when I used to carry it to you in your hiding places, even when I was bad with the fever, or my teeth chatteri

dmit; but we have not got the wonderful necklace yet, you

t man-one that looked like a fox-two thin men, and one that look

and his face fell. "Alas! I am the only one left of our brave band now; when the oth

d, and so has the tall, t

tols or

e chariot, you know; only Maitre Chirriguirri or Mionnette would have been

Agostino resolutely. "Five large, heavy chests, gold orname

es lay beside the first one-all neatly arranged in a row by the little girl, who seemed to actually enjoy her lugubrious task. It made a strange picture in the weird light of the nearly full moon, half veiled by driving clouds-the open grave, the bodies lying side by side under the dark pine trees, and the figures of Agostino and Chiquita bending over them. But the tragic aspect of the affair soon changed to a comic one; for when Agostino placed the first of the bodies in an upright position it became apparent that it was only a sort of a scarecrow-a rude figure intended to frighten timid traveller-which being skilfully disposed at the edge of the grove, partly hidden among the trees, looked at a little distance exactly like a brigand-gun and all. Indeed it really was dressed in the garments of one of his old comrades, who had paid the penalty of

ry far from their retreat-by which our travellers were to pass, to judge of the effect of their group of brigands. It was really very formidable, and had often been of great service to the bold origin

t at the right time for us-in the uncertain light of the dawn. In the darkness of night our brigands yonder could not be seen, and in broad daylight the ruse would be apparent; so we are in luck, Chiquita! But now for a nap-we have plenty of time for it, and the creaking of the wheel

orable goodness, which seemed better suited to a young lady of noble birth than a wandering actress. He tormented himself with trying to devise some means to induce her to reciprocate the ardent love that filled his heart for her, not for an instant suspecting that it was already a fait accompli, and that the sweet, pure maiden had given him, unasked, her gentle, faithful heart. The bashful young baron imagined all sorts of romantic and perilous incidents in which he might constitute himself her knight and protector, and show such brave and tender devotion to her as he had read of in the old books of chivalry; and which m

sounds were heard, and columns of smoke rising into the still morning air proved that even in this desolate, God-forsaken part of the Landes there were human habitations to be found. Stalking along with giant strides on the highest part of some rising ground not ve

ense grove where we left Agostino and Chiquita sleeping. He wondered what it could be-certainly not a glow-worm, the season for them was past long ago-and he watched it as he advanced towards it with a vague feeling of uneasiness. Approaching nearer he caught a glimpse of the singular group

hariot's being overturned into the ditch beside the road. The sharp report and violent shock startled the sleeping travellers in the chariot, and the younger women shrieked wildly in their terror, whilst the duenna, who had met with such adventures before, slipped the few gold pieces she had in her purse into her sh

side alone saved the baron from a wound which must have been fatal, as the brigand threw the knife at him with tremendous force, and it flew through the air and fell ringing upon the ground at a marvellous distance, instead of piercing de Sigognac's heart. His antagonist turned pale, for he was quite defenceless, having depended entirely upon his trusty navaja, which had never failed him b

crept softly forth, glided along on the ground like a snake until she reached the knife, lying unnoticed where it had fallen, and, seizing it, in one instant h

strove in vain to extricate his right arm from the powerful grip that held it like a vice-struggling violently, and writhing with the pain it caused him-but he dared not turn upon this new assailant, who was behind him, because de Sigognac would have surely scored his back for him; and he was forced to c

enly roared out in his stentorian voice, "What the deuce is nipping

ino; but the tyrant shook her off with a quick movement, that sent her rolling in the dust at some distance, without relinq

effect. "Ha, ha!" laughed the peasant, "it would appear that those gentlemen's guns take a long time to go off; they must be wet with dew. But whatever

them, "these are nothing but scarecrows." And with six vigorous kicks he sent the six a

eassuringly, to the trembling actresses, "there's noth

s so tickled the fancy of the players that it seemed as if they never would have done laughing over it, and they were evidently inclined to deal leniently with the ingenious rascal who had devised it. The tyrant, who had loosened, but not quitted, his hold upon the bandit, assumed his most tragic air and voice, and said to him, "You have frightened these ladies almost to death, you scoundrel, and you richly deserve to be strung up for it; but if, as I believe, they will consent to pardon you-for th

merous company. Ah! mine is a sad fate; and then my road is such a poor one-so few travellers come this way-and I have not the means to purchase a better one. Every good road is owned by a band of brigands, you know. I wish that I could get some honest work to do, but that is hopeless; who would employ such a looking fellow as I am? all in rags and tatters, worse than the poorest beggar. I must surely have been born under an unlu

evented your successfully plying your trade we certainly do owe you a

appened to have with her, which was soft and warm, and gave it to Chiquita, wh

nly raising her head and tossing back her thick black hair, she fixed her sparkling eyes on Isabelle, and said in a low, earnest voice, "Oh! you are very, very good, and I will never, never kill you." Then she ran swiftly back to the pine grove, clambered up the steep bank, and sat down to a

to his post when he saw that all danger was over, and the chariot once more started upon its way-the worthy duenna having take

I feel that under your protection we can travel securely; how bravely you attacked that bandit

st of Saracens, attack and destroy dragons and horrid monsters; I would force my way through enchanted forests filled with snares and perils, such as we read of, and even descend into hell itself, like Aeneas of old. In

ccomplish fabulous deeds of prowess in her honour and for her sake; and she was not so very far wrong, for he was becoming hourly more pa

rd in them when whispered into their own ears. For a moment she was tempted to try the power of her many charms, which she believed to be irresistible, with the young baron, and win him away from Isabelle; but this idea was speedily rejected, for Serafina held beauty to be a precious gem that should be richly set in gold-the gem w

and some of them were even growing sleepy again, when several hours la