llery in cruelties that deserved the gallows, and
laughed till the tears came at horrors that nearly made me faint. My
concurrence and sympathy absolutely delighted the devils, and we shook
hands a dozen times over.

It was evening, when, tired and ready to drop with fatigue, my
companions called a halt.

'Come, my friend,' said the chief, 'we'll relieve you now of your
burden. You would be of little service to us at the frontier, and must
wait for us here till our return.'

It was impossible to make any proposal more agreeable to my feelings.
The very thought of being quit of my friends was ecstasy. I did not
dare, however, to vent my raptures openly, but satisfied myself with a
simple acquiescence.

'And when,' said I, 'am I to have the pleasure of seeing you again,
gentlemen?'

'By to-morrow forenoon at farthest.'

By that time, thought I, I shall have made good use of my legs, please
Heaven!

'Meanwhile,' said Gros Jean, with a grin that showed he had neither
forgotten nor forgiven my insults to his courage--'meanwhile we'll
just beg leave to fasten you to this tree'; and with the words, he
pulled from a great canvas pocket he wore at his belt a hank of strong
cord, and proceeded to make a slip noose on it.

'It's not your intention, surely, to tie me here for the whole night?'
said I, in horror.

'And why not?' interposed the chief. 'Do you think there are bears or
wolves in the Ardennes forest in September?'

'But I shall die of cold or hunger! I never endured such usage before!'

'You'll have plenty worse when you've joined us, I promise you,' was the
short reply, as without further loss of time they passed the cord round
my waist, and began, with a dexterity that bespoke long practice, to
fasten me to the tree. I protested vigorously against the proceeding;
I declaimed loudly about the liberty of the subject; vowed that England
would take a frightful measure of retribution on the whole country, if a
hair of my head were injured, and even went so far in the fervour of my
indignation as to threaten the party with future consequences from the
police.

The word was enough. The leader drew his pistol from his belt, and
slapping down the pan, shook the priming with his hand.

'So,' cried he, in a harsh and savage voice, unlike his former tone,
'you 'd play the informer would you? Well, it's honest at least to say
as much. Now then, my man, a quick shrift and a short prayer, for I'll
send you where yo