principal, dragged him away,
and both flew through the ante-chamber, and down the staircase to the
ground floor. Here they came upon a band of soldiers who were
endeavoring to garrison the house against masses of the populace. But,
swift as were the movements of the travelers, those of their last
night's escort were quicker still, as, with a loud shout, he rushed to
head his friends in their resistance to the invaders. His black hair
flew wildly around his bare head, and his eyes shone out from his
beautiful and now pallid face with the unconquerable energy of a brave
man.

"Back!" he cried, with a loud, clear voice, to the raging people, and
sprang like a panther in among them, dealing sword-strokes round. The
masses gave way; the comrades of the brave youth ranged themselves
behind him. Again Anton seized his principal's arm, and dragged him off
with such speed as is only possible to men under the influence of strong
excitement. They had just got behind a projection of the house when they
heard a shot fired, and saw with horror the young Pole fall backward
bleeding, and heard his last cry, "The _canaille_!"

"To the wagons!" said the merchant, dashing down a narrow cross-street.
They still heard in the distance shots and cries of discord; and
breaking through bands of curious and terrified inhabitants, who
hindered their progress, they arrived breathless, and fearing the worst,
at the door of the inn.

Here, too, there was mutiny. The soldiers left in charge of the house
had loosed the landlord, and speedily made their retreat as soon as news
of the tumult reached them. The court-yard was now a scene of wrangling
and confusion. The landlord, supported by a number of idlers collected
from the street, was disputing violently with the wagoners. Some of the
wagons were harnessed and ready for departure, but from others the
canvas covering had been again dragged off. The case was a desperate
one. The merchant tore away from Anton, who tried to detain him, and,
rushing into the midst of the disputants, called out in Polish as loudly
as he could, while holding the passport above his head, "Stop, I say;
here is the order of the commander-in-chief authorizing the departure of
our wagons. Whoever resists it will be punished. We are under the
protection of the government."

"What government, you rogue of a German?" screamed the landlord, with
ominous face; "the old government is done away with; the traitors have
had their r