ry," it was of a species quite unlike what we have at home,
and I could not detect it.

While I strolled about, amusing myself with the strange sights and
scenes around me, I suddenly came upon a sort of merry-go-round, where
the performers, seated on small hobby-horses, tilted with a lance at a
ring as they spun round, their successes or failures being hailed with
cheers or with laughter from the spectators. To my intense astonishment,
I might almost say shame, Hanserl was there! Mounted on a fiery little
gray, with bloodshot eyes and a flowing tail, the old fellow seemed to
have caught the spirit of his steed, for he stood up in his stirrups,
and leaned forward with an eagerness that showed how he enjoyed the
sport. Why was it that the spectacle so shocked me? Why was it that I
shrunk back into the crowd, fearful that he might recognize me? Was it
not well if the poor fellow could throw off, even for a passing moment,
the weary drudgery of his daily life, and play the fool just for
distraction' sake? All this I could have believed and accepted a short
time before, and yet now a strange revulsion of feeling had come over
me and I went away, well pleased that Hans had not seen nor claimed me.
"These vulgar games don't amuse you," said a voice at my side; and I
turned and saw the merchant who, at the breakfast-table, invited me to
his counting-house.

"Not that," said I; "but they seem strange and odd at a private
entertainment I was scarce prepared to see them here."

"I suspect that is not exactly the reason," said he, laughing. "I know
something of your English tone of exclusiveness, and how each class of
your people has its appropriate pleasures. You scorn to be amused in low
company."

"You seem to forget my own condition, sir."

"Come, come," said he, with a knowing look, "I am not so easily imposed
upon, as I told you awhile back. I know England. Your ways and notions
are all known to me. It is not in the place you occupy here young lads
are found who speak three or four languages, and have hands that show as
few signs of labor as yours. Mind," said he, quickly, "I don't want to
know your secret."

"If I had a secret, it is scarcely likely I 'd tell it to a stranger,"
said I, haughtily.

"Just so; you 'd know your man before you trusted him. Well, I 'm more
generous, and I 'm going to trust you, whom I never saw till half an
hour ago."

"Trust _me!_"

"Trust you," repeated he, slowly. "And first of all