had been felled, and were rotting upon the ground. Heaps, or rather stacks, of fire and brush-wood were ranged with some degree of neatness at one side of the farm-house, and at the opposite extremity open sheds projected to afford temporary shelter for cattle.

The building itself, though not large, seemed more substantially constructed than is customary in such localities. It presented to the eyes of Paul as they approached, the aspect of a one-story dwelling covered with a roof of red tiles, and having seven windows upon the upper and two only upon the lower story, with one small door in the

centre.

66

"But where are the famous sheds," inquired Paul, "about which there has been so much ado?” They lie at some distance in front of the house," answered Nando; "this is the hind part which is turned towards us. But see! our approach has been already observed."

The door burst open as he spoke, and some of the guards rushed out to bid them welcome.

"We

"Per Dio!" exclaimed one with energy. almost gave you up for lost. Seeing your horses come down the hill with empty saddles, we thought something was wrong, and stopped and halloed for a good quarter of an hour. Then finding you didn't make your appearance, we alternately discharged our guns, but with no result, and at length, in despair, continued our journey on, with a very faint hope that you would, if all was right, follow us some

time or other. But come in. Here's the Signore in a sad taking at your absence."

The news had, however, been already communicated to him, and Signor Bonsa appeared at the door with his two French guests.

"My poor boy," he exclaimed, as he saw Paul hobbling on, "you have made acquaintance, I see, with our Corsican woods, and they have treated you as is their wont, in a manner the reverse of tender. Carry him in, some of you, and let us see what a bath and supper can do for him."

Paul did indeed cut an uncomfortable figure. His hands and face were burnt and peeling with exposure to the sun; they were covered, too, with scratches from the brambles, and the former had bled freely. His clothes were in parts hanging literally in shreds, his straw hat was torn, and his boots gave unmistakeable evidence of the severe ground over which they had had to bear their

master.

Two of the stalwart guards raised him on their shoulders, and in this triumphal attitude he was conveyed into the fattoria of Solingozzo.

CHAPTER XXIV.

The dining-hall-State of affairs-Resolutions-Next morning-The embassy-The conference-Its close-Paul on guard— Strange appearance—The enemy—The first shot.

THE bath and the promised supper had indeed so far restored young Paul, that when the meal was over he firmly resisted the persuasions of his friends to betake himself to bed, but sat with the rest listening to the conversation, and the plan it was intended to pursue on the morrow for the removal of the vagabonds.

Paul could not but think the matter in hand to be of rather a serious nature, when so many stalwart fellows were collected to carry it through.

They were seated, to the number of fifteen in all, about the great room which served the purpose of entrance-hall and dining-sala.

Sundry wine-flasks and tumblers were on the rude table, together with some walnuts and bunches of dried grapes in wicker baskets of primitive make and fashion.

Signor Bonsa, seated in one of the window-seats, with his legs up and crossed over each other, was

smoking a cigar. The two Frenchmen were consuming cigarettes, whereof a variety of ends at their feet showed the amount. Nando, with his head on his hand and his elbow resting on the table, was fast asleep. The others were talking and laughing, with the exception of one, a little wiry old man, with a quick eye, who was busily engaged in reducing from a larger suit a garment fitted for the use of Paul, as his own was spoiled past mending.

The youth learnt that the vagrants were still in possession of the huts, and had even shown increased boldness on finding that Signor Bonsa's threat had not been followed up by action; so it was resolved with daylight to give them a last and final notice, and three hours to remove their packs, when, if the trespassers had not departed, their baggage was to be placed in the open, and the huts knocked to pieces.

With this intention all retired to rest at an early hour, and it was not long before Paul was in a happy state of forgetfulness, both with respect to past fatigues and coming dangers.

With the usual elasticity of youth, he was awake and stirring with the earliest, and donned with much delight his suit of brown, prepared by old Auri, and put round his waist a new shot-belt, presented him by Signor Bonsa.

In giving him the latter, however, he told him it was simply to make his dress complete, for that he trusted he would have no occasion to make use

of it. He also recommended him to keep within doors during the whole of the ensuing proceedings, as there might be danger of a chance shot, should they have to resort to force.

The worthy agent little knew the perils Paul had already encountered, and the readiness with which he embraced any excitement, no matter at what cost it was to be obtained; but he soon discovered that it was as impossible to keep him out of the tumult of a conflict as it would be to restrain a bull-dog in a similar situation. So true it is that a natural tendency may, like a mine, lie dormant in an individual, and its existence be totally unsuspected until an accidental circumstance shall fire the train and set it blazing.

At about five in the morning, Signor Bonsa, accompanied by Nando and one of the guards, all well armed, issued from the principal entrance, and took their way towards the edge of the extensive platform on which the vagrant colony was situated, the while the rest of the party, including the Frenchmen, with guns prepared, awaited the issue of the agent's mission, and were ready to rush forward in case of any necessity.

Paul, not being satisfied with the indistinct view of the scene to be obtained from the basement, ran up the old walnut staircase, and finding there were means of getting on to the roof, availed himself of the chance, and was soon seated in a capital place to observe the proceedings.

From this elevated spot he made out that the