a," returned he of the road; "and under such
circumstances, your jest about the cravat from Kentucky is by no means
wanting in proper application. But the fact is, our numbers are just now
complete--our ranks are full--and the candidates for the honor are so
numerous as to leave little chance for an applicant. You might be
compelled to wait a long season, unless the Georgia penitentiary and
Georgia guard shall create a vacancy in your behalf."

"Truly, the matter is of very serious regret," with an air of much
solemnity, replied the youth, who seemed admirably to have caught up the
spirit of the dialogue--"and it grieves me the more to know, that, under
this view of the case, I can no more satisfy you than I can serve
myself. It is quite unlucky that your influence is insufficient to
procure me admission into your fraternity; since it is impossible that I
should pay the turnpike, when the club itself, by refusing me
membership, will not permit me to acquire the means of doing so. So, as
the woods grow momently more dull and dark, and as I may have to ride
far for a supper, I am constrained, however unwilling to leave good
company, to wish you a fair evening, and a long swing of fortune, most
worthy knight of the highway, and trusty representative of the Pony
Club."

With these words, the youth, gathering up the bridle of the horse, and
slightly touching him with the rowel, would have proceeded on his
course; but the position of the outlaw now underwent a corresponding
change, and, grasping the rein of the animal, he arrested his farther
progress.

"I am less willing to separate than yourself from good company, gentle
youth, as you may perceive; since I so carefully restrain you from a
ride over a road so perilous as this. You have spoken like a fair and
able scholar this afternoon; and talents, such as you possess, come too
seldom into our forests to suffer them, after so brief a sample, to
leave us so abruptly. You must come to terms with the turnpike."

"Take your hands from my horse, sirrah!" was the only response made by
the youth; his tone and manner corresponding with the change in the
situation of the parties. "I would not do you harm willingly; I want no
man's blood on my head; but my pistols, let me assure you, are much more
readily come at than my purse. Tempt me not to use them--stand from the
way."

"It may not be," replied the robber, with a composure and coolness that
underwent no change; "your threa