Indian tariff, which accurately defined the value of every thing, from a black fox skin to a pair of old gaiters-from an Indian tomahawk to a tooth-pick.

"In addition to these.fiscal regulations, I drew up a criminal codewhich, in simplicity at least, might vie with any known system of legislation by which it was clearly laid down, that any unknown quantity of Indians were only equal to the slightest inconvenience incurred, or discomfort endured by an English officer: that the condescension of any intercourse with them, was a circumstance of the greatest possible valueand its withdrawal the highest punishment. A few other axioms of the like nature greatly facilitated all bargains, and promoted universal good feeling. Occasionally, a knotty point would arise, which somewhat puzzled me to determine. Now and then, some Indian prejudice, some superstition of the tribe would oppose a barrier to the summary process of my cheap justice; but then, a little adroitness and dexterity could soon reconcile matters-and as I had no fear that my decisions were to be assumed as precedents, and still less dread of their being rescinded by a higher court, I cut boldly, and generally severed the difficulty at a blow.

"My life was now a pleasant one enough-for our officers treated me on terms of familiarity, which gradually grew into intimacy, as our quarters were in remote stations, and as they perceived that I possessed a certain amount of education-which, it is no flattery to say, exceeded their own. My old qualities of convivialism also gave me considerable aid; and as I had neither forgotten to compose a song, nor sing it afterwards, I was rather a piece of good fortune in this solitary and monotonous state of life. Etiquette prevented my being asked to the mess, but most generously nothing interfered with their coming over to my wigwam almost every evening, and taking share of a bowl of sangaree, and a pipe-kindnesses I did my uttermost to repay, by putting in requisition all the amusing talents I possessed: and certainly, never did a man endeavour more for great success in life, nor give himself greater toil, than did I, to make time pass over pleasantly to some half-dozen silly subalterns, a bloated captain or two, and a plethoric, old, snuff-taking major, that dreamed of nothing but rapee, punch, and promotion. Still, like all men in an ambiguous, or a false position, I felt flattered by the companionship of people, whom, in my heart, I thoroughly despised and looked down upon; and felt myself honoured by the society of the most thick-headed set of noodles ever a man sat down with Aye! and laughed at their flat witticisms, and their old stale jokes-and often threw out hints for bon mots, which, if they caught, I immediately applauded, and went about, saying, did you hear Jones's last?' do you know what the major said this morning': bless my heart! what a time it was. Truth will out-the old tuft-hunting leaven was strong in me even yet-hardship and roughing had not effaced it from my disposition-one more lesson was wanting, and I got it.

"Among my visitors was an old captain of the rough school of military habit, with all the dry jokes of the recruiting service, and all the coarseness which a life spent, most part, in remote stations, and small detachments, are sure to impart. This old fellow, Mat Hubbart, a well-known name in the Glengarries, had the greatest partiality for practical jokesand could calculate to a nicety the precise amount of a liberty which any man's rank in the service permitted, without the risk of being called to account and the same scale of equivalents, by which he established the .nomenclature for female rank in the army, was regarded by him as the .test for those licences he permitted himself to take with any man beneath

him and as he spoke of the colonel's 'lady,' the major's 'wife,' the captain's 'woman,' the lieutenant's 'thing'-so did he graduate his conduct to the husbands-never transgressing for a moment on the grade, by any undue familiarity, or any unwonted freedom. With me, of course, his powers were discretionary-or rather, had no discretion whatever. I was a kind of military outlaw, that any man might shoot at-and certainly, he spared not his powder in my behalf.

"Among the few reliques of my Indian life was a bear-skin cap and hood, which I prized highly. It was a present from my old guide-his parting gift-when I put into his hands the last few pieces of silver I possessed in the world. This was then to me a thing which, as I had met with not many kindnesses in the world, I valued at something far beyond its mere price; and would rather have parted with any, or all I possessed, than lose it. Well, one day on my return from a fishing excursion, as I was passing the door of the mess-room, what should I see but a poor idiot that frequented the barrack, dressed in my bear-skin.

"Holloa! Rokey,' said I, 'where did you get that?' scarce able to restrain my temper.

-"The captain gave it me,' said the fellow, touching his cap, with a grateful look towards the mess-room window, where I saw Captain Hubbart standing, convulsed with laughter.

"Impossible! said I-yet half-fearing the truth of the assertion. The major couldn't give away what's mine, and not his.'

"Yes, but he did though,' said the fool, and told me, too, he'd make me the "talk man" with the Indians, if you didn't behave better in future.' "I felt my blood boil up as I heard these words. I saw at once that the joke was intended to insult and offend me; probably meant as a lesson for my presumption, a few evenings before, since I had the folly, in a moment of open-hearted gaiety, to speak of my family, and perhaps to boast of my having been a gentleman: I hung my head in shame, and all my presence of mind was too little to allow me to feign a look of carelessness as I walked by the window: from whence the coarse laughter of the captain was now heard peal after peal. I shall not tell you how I suffered when I reached my hut, and what I felt at every portion of this transaction. One thing forcibly impressed itself on my mind, that the part I was playing must be an unworthy one, or I had never incurred such a penalty; that if these men associated with me, it was on terms which permitted all from them-nothing in return; and for a while, I deemed no vengeance enough to satisfy my wounded pride. Happily for me, my thoughts took another turn, and I saw that the position in which I had placed myself, invited the insolence it met with; and that if any man stoop to be kicked in this world, he'll always find some kind friend ready to oblige him with the compliment. Had an equal so treated me, my course had presented no difficulty whatever-Now, what could I do?

"While I pondered over these things, a corporal came up to say, that a party of the officers were about to pay me a visit after evening parade, and hoped I'd have something for supper for them. Such was the general tone of their invitations, and I had received in my time above a hundred similar messages, without any other feeling than one of pride, at my being in a position to have so many distinguished guests. Now, on the contrary, the announcement was a downright insult: my long downcast pride suddenly awakened, I felt all the contumely of my condition; and my spirit, sunk for many a day in the slavish observance of a miserable vanity, rebelled against further outrage. I muttered a hasty 'all-right,' to the soldier, and turned away to meditate on some scheme of vengeance.

Having given directions to my Indian follower, a half-bred fellow of the most cunning description, to have all ready in the wigwam, I wandered into the woods. To no use was it that I thought over my grievance, nothing presented itself in any shape as a vindication of my wounded feelings-nor could I see how any thing short of ridicule could ensue, from all mention of the transaction. The clanking sound of an Indian drum broke on my musings, and told me that the party were assembled ; and on my entering the wigwam, I found them all waiting for me. There were full a dozen; many who had never done me the honour of a visit previously, came on this occasion to enjoy the laugh at my expense the captain's joke was said to excite. Husbanding their resources, they talked only about indifferent matters-the gossip and chit-chat of the day—but still with such a secret air of something to come, that even an ignorant observer could notice, that there was in reserve somewhat that must bide its time for development. By mere accident, I overheard the captain whisper in reply to a question of one of the subalterns- No! no!-not now-wait, till we have the punch up.' I guessed at once that such was the period they proposed to discuss the joke played off at my expense, and I was right. For no sooner had the large wooden bowl of sangaree made its appearance, than Hubbart filling his glass, proposed a bumper to the health of our new ally, Rokey; a cheer drowned half his speech, which ended in a roar of laughter, as the individual so complimented stood at the door of the wigwam, dressed out in full costume with my bear-skin.

"I had just time to whisper a command to my Indian imp, concluding with an order for another bowl of sangaree, before the burst of merriment had subsided-a hail-storm of jokes, many poor enough, but still cause for laughter, now pelted me on every side. My generosity was lauded, my good taste extolled, and as many impertinences as could well be offered up to a man at his own table, went the round of the party. No allusion was spared either to my humble position as interpreter to the force, or my former life among the Indians, to furnish food for joke: even my family-of whom, as I have mentioned, I foolishly spoke to them lately -they introduced into their tirade of attack and ridicule, which nothing but a sense of coming vengeance could have enabled me to endure.

"Come, come,' said one, the bowl is empty. I say, O'Kelly, if you wish us to be agreeable, as I'm certain you find us, will you order a fresh supply?

"Most willingly,' said I, 'but there is just enough left in the old bowl to drink the health of Captain Hubbart, to whom we are certainly indebted for most of the amusement of the evening. Now, therefore, if you please with all the honours, gentlemen-for let me say, in no one quality has he his superior in the regiment. His wit we can all appreciate; his ingenuity I can speak to; his generosity-you have lauded mine-but think of his. As I spoke I pointed to the door, where my ferociouslooking Indian stood in all his war-paint, wearing on his head the full-dress cocked-hat of the captain, while over his shoulders was thrown his large blue military-cloak, over which he had skilfully contrived to make a hasty decoration of brass-ornaments, and wild-bird's feathers.

"Look there!' said I, exultingly, as the fellow nodded his plumed-hat and turned majestically round, to be fully admired.

"Have you dared, sir?' roared he, frothing with passion and clenching his fist towards me-but a perfect cheer of laughter overpowered his words. Many rolled off their seats and lay panting and puffing on the ground; some turned away half-suffocated with their struggles, while a few, more timid than the rest, endeavoured to conceal their feelings, and

seemed half alarmed at the consequences of my impertinence. When the mirth had a little subsided it was remarked, that Hubbart was gone-no one had seen how or when-but he was no longer among us.

"Come, gentlemen,' said I, 'the new bowl is ready for you, and your toast is not yet drunk. All going so early? Why, it's not eleven yet.

"But so it was the impulse of merriment over-the esprit du corps came back in all its force, and the man, whose feelings they had not scrupled to outrage and insult, they turned on, the very moment he had the courage to assert his honour. One by one they passed out—some with a cool nod-others a mere look-many never even noticed me at all; and one, the last, I believe, dropping a little behind, whispered as he went, 'Sorry for you, faith, but all your own doing, though.'

"My own doing,' said I in bitterness, as I set me down at the door of the wigwam. My own doing,' and the words eat into my very heart's core. Heaven knows had any one of them who left me but turned his head and looked at me then as I sat-my head buried in my hands, my frame trembling with strong passion-he had formed a most false estimate of my feelings. In all likelihood, he would have regarded me as a man sorrowing over a lost position in society-grieved at the mistaken vanity that made him presume among those who associated with him by grace especial, and never on terms of equality. Nothing in the world was then farther from my heart: no, my humiliation had another source-my sorrowing penetrated into a deeper soil. I awoke to the conviction that my position was such that even the temporary countenance they gave me by their society was to be deemed my greatest honour, as its withdrawal should be my deepest disgrace-that these poor heartless, brainless fools for whom I taxed my time, my intellect, and my means, were in the light of patrons to me. Let any man who has felt what it is to live among those on whose capacity he has looked down, while he has been obliged to pay homage to their rank-whose society he has frequented, not for pleasure nor enjoyment-not for the charm of social intercourse, or the interchange of friendly feeling, but for the mere vulgar object that he might seem to others to be in a position to which he had no claim-to be intimate when he was only endured-to be on terms of ease when he was barely admitted; let him sympathise with me. Now I awoke to the full knowledge of my state, and saw myself at last in a true light. My own doing,' repeated I to myself. Would it had been so many a day since, ere I had lost self-respect-ere I had felt the humiliation I now feel.

"You are under arrest, sir,' said the sergeant, as, with a party of soldiers, he stood prepared to accompany me to the quarters. "Under arrest! By whose orders?'

"The colonel's orders,' said the man briefly, and in a voice that showed I was to expect little compassion from one of a class who had long regarded me as an upstart, giving himself airs unbecoming his condition.

"My imprisonment, of which I dared not ask the reason, gave me time to meditate on my fortunes, and think over all the vicissitudes of my life. To reflect on the errors which had rendered abortive every chance of success in whatever career I adopted; but, more than all, to consider how poor were all my hopes of happiness in the road I had chosen, while I dedicated to the amusement of others the qualities which, if cultivated for myself, might be made sources of contentment and pleasure. If I seem prolix in all this-if I dwell on these memories, it is, first, because few men may not reap a lesson from considering them; and again, because on them hinged my whole future life.

There, do you see that little drawing yonder? it is a sketch-a mere

sketch I made from recollection of the room I was confined in. That's the St. Lawrence flowing beneath the window, and there, far in the distance, you see the tall cedars of the opposite bank. On that little table I laid my head the whole night long; I slept too, and soundly, and when I awoke the next day I was a changed man.

"You are relieved from arrest,' said the same sergeant who conducted me to the prison, and the colonel desires to see you on parade.'

A

"As I entered the square, the regiment was formed in line, and the officers, as usual, stood in a group chatting together in the centre. half smile, quickly subdued as I came near, ran along the party.

"O'Kelly,' said the colonel, I have sent for you to hear a reprimand which it is fitting you should receive at the head of the regiment, and which, from my knowledge of you, I have supposed would be the most effectual punishment I could inflict for your late disrespectful conduct to Captain Hubbart.'

"May I ask, colonel, have you heard of the provocation which . induced my offence?'

"I hope, sir,' replied he, with a look of stern dignity, you are aware of the difference of your relative, rank and station, and that, in condescending to associate with you, he conferred an honour which doubly compensated for any liberty he was pleased to take. Read the general order, Lieutenant Wood.'

"A confused murmur of something from which I could collect nothing reached me; a vague feeling of weight seemed to press my head, and a giddiness that made me reel, were on me; and I only knew the ceremony was over as I heard the orders to march given, and saw the troops begin to move off the ground.

"A moment, colonel,' said I in a voice that made him start, and drew on me the look of all the others. I have too much respect for you, and I hope also for myself, to attempt any explanation of a mere jest, where the consequences have taken a serious turn; besides I feel conscious of one fault, far too grave a one to venture on an excuse for any other I have been guilty of. I wish to resign my post. I here leave the badge of the only servitude ever did, or ever intend to submit to; and now as a free man once more, and a gentleman, too, if you'll permit me, I beg to wish you adieu: and as for you, captain, I have only to add, that whenever you feel disposed for a practical joke, or any other interchange of politeness, Con O'Kelly will be always delighted to meet your views→→ the more so as he feels, though you may not believe it, something still in your debt.'

"With that I turned on my heel, and left the barrack-yard, not a word being spoken by any of the others, nor indeed any evidence of their being so much amused as they seemed to expect from my exposure.

"Did it never strike you as a strange thing, that while none but the very poorest and humblest people can bear to confess to present poverty, very few men decline to speak of the narrow circumstances they have struggled through-nay, rather take a kind of pleasure in relating what difficulties once beset their path-what obstacles were opposed to their success? The reason perhaps is, there is a reflective merit in thus surmounting opposition. The acknowledgment implies a sense of triumph. It seems to say-Here am I such as you see me now, and yet time was when I was houseless and friendless-when the clouds darkened around my path, and I saw not even the faintest glimmer of hope to light up the future; yet with a stout heart and strong courage, with the will came the way, and I conquered. I do confess, I could dwell, and with great plea