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fuss about a wiped-out darkie? I opinionise now sartainly and railly that the crittur's not in our manifest; and so, though I'm kinder sure he was a brave Injun, we might ha' slept till morning, and not be riz like so many startled catamounts."

Dugald gave Mr. Levi Slam a look of the most perfect contempt, and never spoke; however, the latter now looked at the body, and began chewing very vigorously.

"Wal, a'ter all, 'tis a pity, strangers, that he has been wiped out; he was a fine lad, tho' a darkie," and Mr. Slam turned away.

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Arrah, murder, is it kilt all out he is? Och, the murdhering villains of the world, what a way they fight!" quoth the Hibernian, who first came up.

And now the loud "So!" of the German and the "Go de shaoile as tu dhe sin ?" * of the Irishman mingled with the "Es posible? Que lastima! Eso es terrible!" + of Arangoiz and Nicolas, and the "C'est dommage!" of the courreur.

"Well, what shall we do wi' him, puir chiel ?" said Dugald. "Shall we carry him back, Arangoiz, or leave him here till we bury him?"

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At this moment I almost shouted out as a hand was laid upon my mouth, and a deep guttural voice pronounced the word "chiton!" (hush) in Spanish. The next instant the Indian chief, El Oso, stood before me, and took the arrow in his hands, whilst he examined it most attentively for a moment or so, and then glided back again into the encampment, uttering the word "chiton" a second time. I now observed a movement among the Indians of his party, and four warriors stole noiselessly out of the "corral," attending El Oso himself, who looked back at me and laid his hand across his mouth as if to enforce silence. So rapidly and yet noiselessly did they glide along, dispersing into different directions, that I had almost reckoned the whole scene to be a delusion of the senses as they disappeared into the gloom. The clouds now drifted across the disc of the moon, and we were plunged in darkness for a few minutes. Well, thought I, if I cannot watch their proceedings, at least I may console myself with the reflection that I am safe from another shot for a few minutes. Ten minutes had now elapsed, and again the clouds floated off the pale disc, and I anxiously listened and endeavoured to trace the Indians with my eyes, but in vain. The minutes wore on like hours, when suddenly a sound the most fearful, the most appalling, burst upon my ear. It was a shrill, long-protracted yell of agony, rising and sinking and floating with the most horrible intensity over the prairie. In a moment the Indians in the corral sprang to their feet, and the whole party, whites and reds, rushed up, seizing their arms, as that awful cry burst upon them as they slumbered. I seized my gun and rau as hard as I could in the direction of the cry, while dark forms passed by me and came on after, hastening to the scene where we felt convinced some terrible tragedy had been perpetrated. Running by the orilla of the arroyo, I saw before me a small group of figures and something black extended at their feet. I hastened up, and beheld El Oso and three Indians bending over the body of the fourth warrior of his party. I looked down. The Indian was lying dead; rivulets of We rode along the prairie for about an blood were dropping down his face and ming-hour, and then discovered a herd of the ling with the war paint, and his head a mass of blood, and the bare gore-stained scull exposed. He had lost his scalp. I stooped down: a deep wound across the temples showed where the skull had been cut in right across, by a blow, as I conjectured, from a tomahawk, and another an arrow wound in the chest. Es Muerto!"

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The chief turned away without a word as I pronounced the opinion, and uttered a few sentences to the Indians who had come up, and in a moment they had spread themselves over the prairie on all sides.

CHAPTER XV.

THE MORAVIAN MISSIONARY.

"Es cosa singular," said the Hercules, who now came up along with Dugald.

The latter gazed at the body and shook his head.

"He's past our art, Halston."

"Why," exclaimed a loud voice, "is all this

We had better carry him to the corral, and then we will arrange it," said Arangoiz; and we carried the dead man back to the encampment, and placed him by the “hoyo” of his comrade.

This being done, we waited for the dawn, the Indians meantime having come in without meeting the slayer of their camarada. El Oso, silent and grave as usual, kept aloof from our party, and only conversed with Arangoiz and las senoritas, while we dug a grave for the murdered man.

As soon as day arrived, and the morning meal concluded, Dugald and I went to our duty to inspect the sick-"walking the hospital," as Kinneardie called it. I then joined a party which was setting out to chase the verendas," and rode off. There were half-adozen of us-Louis, Nicolas, Colville, two Germans mounted on their waggon-horses, and myself.

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cieroos feeding at a distance, and upon them we dashed, lasso in hand; however, they had the heels of us, and we gave up the chase in despair until, returning in the evening, we sighted a belt of oak timber, and there we rode silently and found an arroyo. Here we waited for half-an-hour, and were rewarded for our perseverance by shooting down two cieroos who had come to drink at the arroyo. Laden with these, we struck out for the "corral," and in about half-an-hour more we perceived before us a man riding a musteno, and upon approaching him ascertained that he had neither rifle nor gun, nor any arms that we could see, except a thong of plaited leather, with which he managed the horse, instead of a whip.

I was before our party, and accosted the stranger, who politely returned my salutation in English; and I then gazed at him with

* "What do you think of this ?"

"Is it possible? What a pity! 'Tis terrible ! "

more attention than I had been able to do while coming up. He was a man of about between fifty and sixty, his hair grey and face weatherbeaten; his eyes were deeply sunk in his head, but his face wore a pleasing and happy aspect. He informed me that he was a missionary travelling among the Indian tribes; and upon my remarking that he had no arms of defence or offence, he laughed gently, and said that the Indians never molested him now, for he was known to many of the chiefs and could speak their language; and as for bears and other animals, his horse saved him from their proximity. I asked him if he had met with the mounted lancers who had molested us. He replied that he had met with mounted Indians, who surrounded him, but whose tongue he spoke; and so they parted good friends, although they were in too great haste to hearken much to him.

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My dear friend," he said, "I have travelled day and night over these vast plains, and this has been my only weapon." Here be produced a small Bible. With this I have done more than with all the rifles in the States. This has comforted many a dying sinner, and aided many a living one to turn from his ways. Ah! my friend," he continued, "I have travelled many a long and weary mile across the rocky range into this country, where even men would barter their very lives for gold; and oh! thanks be to our God, he has not forsaken me in time of danger and distress."

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We now had come within sight of the "corralled party, and I briefly acquainted my new friend with the state of affairs. He sighed deeply, and seemed lost in thought when I had concluded my narration, and then we rode up to the halting-place and dismounted. The missionary saluted the company, and the captain welcomed him heartily to their corral.

The Moravian clergyman-for such was the sect he belonged to-was a man of the most winning and gentle manners. With him I at once felt myself at home; and as one of the Germans picketted his horse, and he stood among us, gazing with unaffected interest at the German wounded, and inquiring how they did from Dugald, the whole party seemed prepossessed in his favour. He spake also a few words to the Indians, and their faces brightened

up, and they eagerly came forward to listen to one who spoke in their dialect.

The venison steaks were now preparing, some of the men roasting pieces of the flesh upon stakes fastened to windward of the fire, and the women bustling actively about, the Indians cooking also a supply; and then, when the missionary had said a simple grace and we had begun our repast, the whole scene reminded me forcibly of some grotesque picnic,the Indians painted and dressed in their camisas and cabsones, the latter ending in an "escote," or frill around the knee, their strongly defined features and guttural tones, with the bows and tomahawks and lanzas, the latter stuck in the ground, and the former hanging from them; the wounded Germans, anxious to take their share of the tempting venison steaks, yet withheld by the senior Esculapius Kinneardie from gratifying their appetite at the expense of their wounds; the "Le pediré a usted un poco mas " ("I'll thank you for a little more") of the senoritas, and the sweetly murmured "gratias;" the approv ing "Il est très succulent," from Louis; and the "Hout, mon, I ha' done brawly," as Levi Slam asked Dugald "whether he opinionised he should help him agen."

Upon the opposite bank of the cavalillo a flock of coyottes, or Californian wolves, were assembled, gazing earnestly at us, allured by the savour of the venison; and some of the men tossed a few bones among them, when there was a general scramble and howling match. However, as we did not choose such neighbours for the night, as they might bite some of our ropes, and loosen the cavallos in the "cavallada," we made the Indians fire a few arrows among them, and off they hastened full trot. "Come, Dugald, lilt up something;" and I repeated the words of Burns, "Don't you recollect this, my boy?—

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TO GO THROUGH FIRE AND WATER.-Many people use this familiar problem who do not know its origin, which is this:-When trials by ordeal were allowed in this country, those of "fire" and "water" were more frequently resorted to than any others. Both, how ever, could be performed by deputy; but the principal was to answer for the success of the trial, the deputy only venturing some corporal pain, sometimes for hire, but more generally for friendship; hence the old saying:-"I would go through fire and water to serve you."

The trial by fire was thus conducted: The person accused, or his deputy, was blindfolded, and led to a place where nine red-hot ploughshares were arranged at irregular distances. If the culprit succeeded in walking through them unharmed, he was declared innocent; but if he burned himself, he was pronounced guilty. In the trial by water, the victim was bound hand and foot, and thrown into a pond, If he swam, he saved his life and redeemed his character; but if he was drowned, it was considered that he had only met with the reward of his crimes.

"TENTERDEN STEEPLE IS THE CAUSE OF GOODWIN'S SANDS."-From old legends we learn that these quicksands were once firm land, and in the possession of Earl Goodwin, who employed a certain revenue in maintaining banks, which prevented the encroachments of the sea. At one period this revenue was entrusted to the Bishop of Rochester, who, instead of expending it in the manner intended, built and endowed the church of Tenterden, which was no sooner completed than the sea burst through the ill-kept banks, overwhelmed the church, and spread over all the fertile fields and gardens the treacherous sands now known by the name of Goodwin's. The Kentish proverb, quoted above, had its origin in this circumstance.

PIPING-HOT.-This expression was taken from the villages, to let the people know that he had just drawn custom of a baker's blowing his pipe or horn in the his bread, and consequently that it was then "hot" and light.

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THINK 'twas Cowper who the Sofa sang,, and in his praise the world of critics rang. I don't know why, with a Parnassian fit on, the bard should sing about a thing you sit on, but if he might and did and could and would, I cannot see why I should be withstood, a subject in itself all ways as good, and one which from the very earliest ages, and eldest sages, and days of paying wages, has been upon the minds and heads of all, in cottage and in hall, for, not to put too fine a point upon it, nor write a sonnet on it, I mean the thesis of my theme-that's what's the matter-is my hatter.

In early ages once before referred to, I've often read, and you may perhaps have heard too, that slaves were not allowed a cap at all, because they had no capital, nor any business in the capitol; that freemen only were allowed to cover; and that from bondage when a man came over, he a red bonnet was allowed to don it. Who was his hatter? really I don't know. That does not matter, and so, taking for granted all that has been said here, of freedom shining from a piece of head-gear, let's look upon the hats and caps of ancient times, and notice what men wore, by ancient lore, before our own, and in philosopher's tone, praise or bemoan, quarrel or condone, with those who lead the subject of our rhymes.

Hoods are the most ancient covering for the head,' tis said; Hood's at the head of everything I've read, but the Greek Petasus was more like the hat we've got, the chimney-pot, and shows that then, as now, somehow there were a few whose fears led them to tremble lest their long, long ears should be concealed in hood or cap from public gaze; but as a general observation, it is understood that every early nation either went bonnetless or wore a hood.

The Saxons wore the Phrygian bonnet, made of a beast's skin, with the hair upon it, ⚫ and those who wished to cut a dashing figure, put gold upon their hats and felt much bigger. The Normans in their fashionable hats and caps set an example that might well be followed. They fitted close, were warm, and cool, and pleasant, were not swept off while everybody halloed, chasing the frantic hat with might and main, through sun and rain; no doubt a very fine athletic study, but on a slushy day so very muddy. But as the world grew older, in the pursuit of fashion men grew bolder; and from convenient low crown, in spite of waggery and Churchman frown, the hat sprung up among the tonnish people, in imitation of asteeple, and was lined with red and blue and every hue, and plumed and buckled, jewelled and belaced, in defiance of good taste, and hatters with one eye shut said "how charming!" and little children screamed, 'twas so alarming. Then came worse matters, hats a heap of tatters, strongly recommended by the hatters, and worn by Garter knight, who in many bloody fight had worn a helmet bright, and striven for the right, but at home forgot it quite, and went in with all his might to

make himself a sight, that none but senseless wight could regard in other light than fit conduct for a night when a knight gets rather tight.

When Elizabeth was queen little else was to be seen than hats of silk and velvet, which were very often well wet, for it need not here be shown umbrellas were unknown, and the sky as well as Bess was often raining. When King James came o'er the border, the hatters, in disorder, had to recrown every man upon the town. All the hats were rising in height and price surprising, and kept on rising, till the nation, by way of imitation, rose up and by the ears, set Roundheads and Cavaliers; and the latter sported feather, snowy white in boisterous weather, and the former, in plain phrases, as the noses on their faces, against the fashion kickèd and pronounced it very wicked. One Durfey hits the folly in his purge for melancholy, and says a cap, whate'er it be, is still the sign of some degree, the Monmouth cap, the sailor's thumb, and that wherein the tradesmen come; the physic cap, the cap divine, and that which crowns the Muses nine; the caps that fools do countenance, the goodly cap of maintenance; the worsted, furred, the velvet satin, for which so many pates learn Latin. When Charles he lost his head and hat, and Cromwell as a ruler sat, men cropped their hair and cut their feathers, and took to plain but full nethers; but when O.C. was underground, and England, with a mighty bound, sprang up to welcome back her king, bonfires light, and songs to sing, the hat became a goodly flop with plume of feathers on the top, and caring not an unripe fig for Puritans, the perriwigs, bundles of flaming vanity, became the town's insanity.

But all this passed away in season, as it had come without much reason, and cocked hats came in fashion, and wigs the passion. What a wig story might be told, of peruke timid, peruke bold, peruke bought, and peruke sold, of triumphing Tories and desponding Whigs, forgetting feud to save their precious wigs! And oh the hats that covered them and discovered them, from parson's modest brim and trader's trim, to daring cock of noisy bully, who to do harm was ready fully, and on the inoffensive fall, and slit the nose and take the wall! Round hats came in when round-houses went out, there or thereabout, and now cocked hats are only seen on officers, I ween, including beadles, on all of whom we lean as something very grand and glorious and victorious, not without a sigh-how could we spare em ? pigtails and cocked hats Vivat Britanniarum; but we have survived it-are as plucky-in peace or war, if lucky or unluckyas when on field day eve, though it may not be believed, a whole battalion, for fear their wigs should fail, slept on their faces to preserve their pigtail.

And now we have round hats, and "who's your hatter ?" I cannot put the question any flatter. Watts on the Mind," 'tis said is learned and curious; what's on the head is

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Figures 1 to 4 and 4 to 16 belong to the 17th century: from 16 to 22, 24, 26, are of the next century's entry; while figs. 22 and 23 are of Harry the Eighth, I've heard; and fig. 4, with pigtail galore, is a soldier bold, George the Third.

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GAIN.

A SCHOOLBOY'S STORY.

TOBODY liked him. He was the head boy in the school, clever, handsome, rich, but not by any means agreeable. Good looks are not always the best recommendation; intelligence is not an infallible test of worth; and as for money, if that is all a man has to show, he is poorer than the mendicant who begs for daily bread. His name was George Augustus Inchbald Nuttall, and we used to initialize him as Mr. Gain. He was the son of the head partner in a flourishing mercantile house in the City, and brought with him when he came to ours an amount of luggage that surprised us all. He came to "finish;" his father intending him for commercial pursuits, and not inclined to send him to college. There were a great many inquiries made before he came as to what pupils the Doctor, our principal, accepted, what social position was held by their parents, and whether there existed the least possible risk of the young gentleman contracting any vulgar acquaintance, intimates of whom the only son and heir of a prosperous merchant might feel ashamed. No: we were all highly respectable at ours; the best references were given, and our new boy arrived. Nobody liked him. He was supercilious; avowedly very polite; unquestionably very clever. He went over all our heads, and became senior within three months of his arrival. He seldom engaged in any of our sports, although his skill at cricket was well known, and at football he had no equal; but he seemed to prefer lounging in what I should call a usedup" attitude, with his hands in both pockets, feeling the money he loved so well.

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There was no mistake about his taste in that respect. £. s. d. were his favourite letters of the alphabet; and if he condescended to talk with any degree of familiarity, the conversation invariably assumed the same character

money.

He soon found out-he was an adept at finding out everything-who amongst us were the best off; I mean, of course, as viewed from his pecuniary standpoint. With these he was the most intimate, and apt to compare notes as to the number of horses, servants, &c., which were maintained at home. I need scarcely add that the Doctor, our principal, gave no encouragement to this conduct, and that he would have highly disapproved of any conversation about the private affairs of our parents. He knew nothing of it. Dear good man, I think of him row; his genial smile, his cheerful voice come back to me a voice that always gave encouragement to the timid, and that was never raised in anger, though it could well rebuke.

A good man was the Doctor; and he bequeathed to his children the best patrimonya good name. He was a Christian man, whose ideal of education was above the ordinary school standard, and included the moral and religious training of the boys entrusted to his care: it was his effort to make them Christian gentlemen.

Mr. Gain (to call him by that title) occasioned the Doctor a large amount of uneasiness. There was no fault to find with any of his scholastic duties; there was nothing wrong in his deportment; his lessons were always well executed, his manners unimpeachable. But the sordid spirit of the boy showed itself plainly. He was a worshipper of money, greedy of gold; not generous, though sometimes lavish, but given to display his wealth and to assume a tone that seemed to say Whatever may be the case with others, I am a made man. I have money, and money answereth all things."

He would listen to the Doctor's admonitions with polite silence; would courteously express his thanks for the interest which the Doctor was kind enough to take in him; but no more impression was made upon him, apparently, than as if the words had never been spoken. There was a boy at ours called Harry Leitrim, "the only son of his mother, and she was a widow." Harry's father had held a small living (starving you might have called it), forty pounds a year, or thereabouts, and it could not be expected that he should give his heirs much trouble in the payment of a heavy legacy duty. He died very poor; and the Doctor took Harry on his own promise to pay him some day. This arrangement Harry entered into with perfect good faith, and, I may here remark, kept to his engagement, and paid the doctor in full, not in money, but with a letter so full of respect and gratitude, that it was framed and glazed and hung up in the library. when Harry was at ours he was very poor-of that there could be no doubt; he made no secret of it, and Mr. Gain soon ascertained it. Now, next to Mr. Gain himself, Harry was the brightest boy in the school, and while nobody liked the first, everybody liked the second. From the moment that Mr. Gain found out Harry's poverty, he commenced treating him with a supercilious respect which was particularly galling. Harry-never was a boy more sensitive than he-felt it very much, but he said nothing, nothing to provoke a quarrel. When things had gone on this way for some months, and Harry's life was being rendered very miserable, he came to me and said,—

Well:

"You have seen what's been going on; the senior is positively insulting. What's the rule in such a case?"

"The rule," I said, "is to report him to the Doctor; the custom is to ask him what he means."

"Thank you," he said; "I shall follow the custom."

There was a row in the playground that afternoon. Harry was insulted by Gain; asked him what he meant by it, not roughly, but quietly by themselves; and assured him of his desire to be on good terms. To this Gain had answered that he wanted nothing to do with Mr. Leitrim,-that he was willing to give him a trifle when he could spare it, but that he could not and would not intimately associate

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