act."

Nor was the sentiment one that Layton could dispute, as, still standing
beside his luggage in the open street, he watched the stage till
it disappeared in the distant pine forest. Two or three lounging,
lazy-looking inhabitants had, meanwhile, come up, and stood looking with
curiosity at the new arrival.

"You ain't a valuator, are you?" asked one, after a long and careful
inspection of him.

"No," said Layton, dryly.

"You 're a-lookin' for a saw-mill, I expect," said another, with a keen
glance as he spoke.

"Nor that, either," was the answer.

"I have it," broke in a third; "you 've got 'notions' in that box,
there, but it won't do down here; we 've got too much bark to hew off
before we come to such fixin's."

"I suspect you are not nearer the mark than your friends, sir," said
Layton, still repressing the slightest show of impatience.

"What'll you lay, stranger, I don't hit it?" cried a tall, thin,
bold-looking fellow, with long hair falling over his neck. "You're a
preacher, ain't you? You're from the New England States, I 'll be bound.
Say I 'm right, sir, for you know I am."

"I must give it against you, sir, also," said Layton, preserving his
gravity with an effort that was not without difficulty. "I do not follow
any one of the avocations you mention; but, in return for your five
questions, may I make bold to ask one? Which is the hotel here?"

"It's yonder," said the tall man, pointing to a large house, handsomely
pillared, and overgrown with the luxuriant foliage of the red acanthus;
"there it is. That's the Temple of Epicurus, as you see it a-written up.
You ain't for speculatin' in that sort, are you?"

"No," said Layton, quietly; "I was merely asking for a house of
entertainment."

"You 're a Britisher, I reckon," said one of the former speakers; "that
's one of _their_ words for meat and drink."

Without waiting for any further discussion of himself, his country, or
his projects, Layton walked towards the hotel. From the two upper tiers
of windows certain portions of military attire, hung out to air or to
dry, undeniably announced a soldierly occupation; cross-belts, overalls,
and great-coats hung gracefully suspended on all sides. Lower down,
there was little evidence of habitation; most of the windows were
closely shuttered, and through such as were open Layton saw large and
lofty rooms, totally destitute of furniture and in part unfinished. The
hall-door opened upon a spacious