in, asked for a
private chamber. Mr. Bousch seemed to see nothing improper in this
request, and even smiled an assent when Jinks, still scowling,
requested that a measure of Jamaica rum might be dispatched before
him, to his chamber.

Jinks then strolled out to the pathway before the tavern, and looked
around him.

Suddenly there came out of the stable yard a young man, mounted on a
shaggy horse, which young man was clad in a forest costume, and held a
rifle in his hand.

Jinks directed a terrible glance toward him, and started forward.

As the horseman came out of the gateway, he found the road obstructed
by Mr. Jinks, whose drawn sword was in his hand.

"Back! rash youth!" cried Jinks, with terrible emphasis, "or this
sword shall split thy carcass--back!"

And the speaker flashed the sword so near to Cloud's eyes that he
tossed up his head and nearly reared.

Verty had been gazing at the sky, and was scarcely conscious of Mr.
Jinks' presence;--but the movement made by Cloud aroused him. He
looked at the sword wonderingly.

"Stand back!" cried Jinks, "or thou art dead, young man! Turn your
horse into that receptacle of animals again, and go not toward the
Bower of Nature!"

"Anan?" said the young man, calmly.

"So you pretend not to understand, do you! Vile caitiff! advance
one step at your peril--try to go and complete arrangements for a
matrimonial engagement at the Bower of Nature, and thou diest!"

Verty was getting angry.

"Mr. Jinks, you'd better get out of the way," he said, calmly.

"Never! stand back! Attempt to push your animal toward me, and I
slaughter him. Base caitiff! Know that the rival you have yonder is
myself! Know that she loves you not, and is now laughing at you,
however much she may have made you believe she loved you! She is a
wretch!"

Verty thought Mr. Jinks spoke of Redbud--the dominant idea again--and
frowned.

"Yes! a perfidious, unfeeling traitoress," observed Mr. Jinks,
grimacing terribly; "and if thou makest a single step toward her, I
will spit thee on my sword!"

Verty cocked his rifle, and placing the muzzle thereof on the Jinks'
breast, made a silent movement of his head, to the effect, that Mr.
Jinks would consult his personal safety by ceasing to obstruct the
way.

Jinks no sooner heard the click of the trigger, and saw the murderous
muzzle directed towards his breast, than letting his sword fall, he
started back with a horrified expression, crying, "murder