doned the ground. It was, at last, really dangerous to have a sweetheart; for out of pure bravado Mentz would push forward, make love to the lady, frighten her swain, and either terrify or fascinate herself. Should the doomed lover offer resistance, he had no more to do but call a surgeon; and happy enough he considered himself if he escaped with the loss of his teeth or an eye. He had killed four men who never injured him wounded seventeen, and fought twenty duels. He once challenged a whole club, who had black-balled him anonymously; and was pacified only by being re-admitted, though all the members immediately resigned, and the club was broken up.

"At last there came a youth into the university-slender, quiet, and boyishlooking, with a handsome face, though somewhat pale. His demeanour, though generally shy, was noble and self-possessed. He had been but a short time among us, however, before he was set down as a cowardly creature, and prime game for the devils broke loose,' as the gang of Mentz termed themselves. The coy youth shunned all the riots and revels of the university-insulted no one; and if his mantle brushed against that of another, apologized so immediately, so gracefully, and so gently, that the devil himself could not have fixed a quarrel upon him. It soon appeared, too, that Gertrude, the lovely daughter of the Baron de Saale- the toast of all the country-upon whom the most of us had gazed, as on something quite above us-it soon appeared that the girl loved this youthful stranger. Now Mentz had singled Gertrude out for himself, and avowed his preference publicly. Arnold, for thus was the new student called, was rarely, if ever, tempted to our feasts; but once he came unexpectedly on a casual invitation. To the great surprise and interest of the company, Mentz him. self was there, and seated himself unabashed at the table, though an unbidden guest. The strongest curiosity at once arose to witness the result; for Mentz had sworn that he would compel Arnold, on their first meeting, to beg pardon on his knees for the audacity of having addressed his mistress. It had not appeared that Arnold knew any thing of Mentz's character, for he sat cheerfully and gayly at the board, with so much the manners of a high-born gentleman, that every one admitted at once his goodness, his grace, and his beauty; and regretted the abyss on the brink of which he unconsciously stood.

"What, ho!' at length shouted Mentz, as the evening had a little advanced, and the wine began to mount: a toast! Come-drink it all; and he who refuses is a poltroon and a coward. I quaff this goblet-fill to the brim-to the health and happiness of Gertrude de Saale-the fairest of the fair! Who says he knows a fairer is a black liar, and I will write the word on his forehead with a red-hot brand.'

"Every goblet was emptied but one, which stood untasted-untouched. On perceiving this, the ruffian, leaning forward, fixed his eyes on the cup, struck his brawny hand down fiereely on the table, which returned a thundering clash and rattle, and then repeated, in a voice husky with rage

"There is a cup fall: by St. An thony! I will make the owner swallow its measure of molten lead, if it remain thus one instant longer.'

"Drink it, Arnold-drink it, boy; keep thy hand out of useless broils,' whispered a student near him, rather advanced in age.

66 6

Drink, friend!' muttered another, dryly, or he will not be slow in doing his threat, I promise thee.'

666

Empty the cup, man,' cried a third; 'never frown and turn pale, or thy young head will lie lower than thy feet ere to-morrow's sunset.'

"It is Mentz the duellist,' said a fourth. 'Dost thou not know his wondrous skill? He will kill thee as if thou wert a deer, if thou oppose him in his wine. He is more merciless than a wild boar. Drink, man, drink!'

"During this interesting scene the youth had remained motionless, cool, and silent. A slight pallor, but evidently more of indignation than fear, came over his handsome features; and his eyes dilated with emotion, resting full and firm upon Mentz.

"By the mass, gentlemen!' he said at length, I am a stranger here, and ignorant of the manners prevalent in universities; but if yonder person be sane, and this no joke'

"Joke!' thundered Mentz, foaming at the lip.

"I must tell you that I come from a part of the country where we neither give nor take such jokes, nor such insults.'

"Hast thou taken leave of thy friends?' said Mentz, partly hushed by astonishment; and art thou tired of life, that thou hurriest on so blindly to a bloody pillow! Boy! drink, as I have told thee, to Gertrude, fairest of the

fair!' And his huge round eyes opened, like those of a bull, upon a daring victim.

"That Gertrude de Saale is fair and lovely,' cried the youth, rising, may not be denied by me. But I demand by what mischance I find her name this night common at a board of rioters, and polluted by the lips of a drunkard and a ruffian ?'

"By the bones of my father,' said Mentz, in a tone of deep and dire anger, which had ere then appalled many a stout heart' by the bones of my father, your doom is sealed! Be your blood on your own head. But,' said he, observing that the youth, instead of cowering, bore himself more loftily, what folly is this? Drink, lad, drink! and I hurt thee not! I love thy gallant bearing, and my game is not such as thou.'

"He added this with a wavering of manner which had never before been witnessed in him, for never before had he been opposed so calmly and so fiercely; and, for a moment, he quailed beneath the fiery glances darted at him from one whom he supposed meeker than the dove. But, ashamed of his transient fear, he added:

"Come to me, poor child! Bring with thee thy goblet-bend at my foot quaff it as I have said, and-out of pity-I spare thy young head.'

"What was the astonishment of the company on beholding Arnold, as if effectually awed by a moment's reflection, and the ferocious enmity of so celebrated and deadly a foe, actually do as he was commanded. He rose, took the cup, slowly approached the seat of his insulter-knelt and raised the rim to his lips. Murmurs of shame, shame, poltroon, coward!' came hot and thick from the group of spectators, who had arisen in the excitement of their curiosity, and stood eagerly bending forward, with every eye fixed upon the object of their contempt. A grim smile of savage triumph distorted the features of Mentz, who shouted, with a hoarse and drunken laugh

"Drink deep !-down with it-to the dregs!'

"Arnold, however, only raised the rim to his lips, and waited a moment's silence, with an expression so scornful and composed that the hisses and exclamations were again quelled; when every sound had ceased to a dead silence: "Never,' he said, shall I refuse to

drink to the glory of a name I once loved and honoured-Gertrude, fairest of the fair!' But,' he added, suddenly rising and drawing up his figure. with a dignity that silenced every breath, for thee, thou drunken, bragging, foolish beast! I scorn-I spit upon-I defy thee! and-thus be punished thy base, brutal insolence, and thy stupid presumption.'

"As he spoke he dashed the contents of the ample goblet full into the face of Mentz; and then, with all his strength, hurled the massy goblet itself at the same mark. The giant reeled and staggered a few paces back; and, amid the shining liquor on his drenched clothes and dripping features, a stream of blood was observed to trickle down his forehead.

"Never before was popular feeling more suddenly and violently reversed. The object of their vilest execrations flashed upon them with the immediate brightness of a superior being. A loud and irrepressible burst of applause broke from every lip, till the broad and heavy rafters above their heads, and the very foundations of the floor, shook and trembled. But the peal of joy and approbation soon ceased; for although this inspiring drama had so nobly commenced, it was uncertain how it might terminate. Before the tyrant recovered from the stunned and bewildered trance into which the blow, combined with shame, grief, astonishment, and drunkenness, had thrown him, several voices, after the obstreperous calls for silence usual on such occasions, addressed the youth, who stood cool and erect, with folded arms, waiting the course of events. "Brave Arnold! Noble Arnold! A gallant deed! The blood of a true gentleman in his veins!'

666

But, canst thou fight?' cried one. "I am only a simple student, and an artist by profession. I have devoted myself to the pencil-not the sword.'

"But thou canst use it a little-canst not?' asked another.

"But indifferently,' answered the youth.

"And how art thou with a pistol?' demanded a third.

"My hand is unpractised,' replied Arnold. I have no skill in shedding human blood.'

""'Fore heaven! then, rash boy, what has tempted thee to this fatal extremity?'

"Hatred of oppression,' replied the youth, in all its forms; and a wil

lingness to die rather than submit to insult.'

"Die then thou shalt! and that ere to-morrow's sun shall set!' thundered Mentz, starting up in a phrensy, and with a hoarse and broken voice that made the hearts of the hearers shudder as if at the howl of a dog or a demon. 'I challenge thee to mortal combat.'

666 And I accept the challenge.' "It is for thee to name time, place, and weapon; but, as thou lovest me, let it not be longer than to-morrow night, or I shall burst with rage and impatience.'

"I love thee not, base dog!' replied Arnold; 'but thou shalt not die so inglorious a death. I will fight with thee, therefore, to-night.'

"By heaven, boy!' cried Mentz, more and more surprised, thou art in haste to sup in hell!' and the ruffian lowered his voice. Art thou mad?"

"Be that my chance,' answered Arnold; I shall not be likely to meet, even in hell, a companion so brutal as thouunless, which I mean shall be the case, thou bear me company.'

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To-night then be it,' said Mentz; though to-night my hand is not steady; for wine and anger are no friends to the

nerves.

"Dost thou refuse me, then?' demanded the youth with a sneer.

"By the mass, no! but to-night is dark; the moon is down; the stars are clouded, and the winds go by in heavy puffs and gusts. Hear it even now.'

"Therefore,' said the youth, apparently more coldly composed as his fierce rival grew more perceptibly agitated therefore will we lay down our lives here-in this hall-on this spot-on this instant-even as thou standest now.'

"There is no one here who will be my friend,' said Mentz; so evidently sobered and subdued by the singular composure and self-possession of his antagonist, that all present held him in contempt, and no one stirred.

"No matter,' cried Arnold; I will myself forego the same privilege.'

"And your weapons?' said Mentz. "Are here,' cried Arnold, drawing them from his bosom; a surer pair never drew blood. The choice is yours.' "The company began now to fancy that Arnold had equivocated in disclaiming skill as a duellist; and, from his invincible composure, thought him a more fatal master of the weapon than the bully himself. The latter also partook of this opinion.

"Young man,' he cried, in a voice clouded and low; but stopped, and said no farther.

"Your choice!' said Arnold, presenting the pistols.

"Mentz seized one desperately, and said

"Now name your distance.' "Blood-thirsty wolf!' said Arnold, 'there shall be no distance!' He then turned and addressed the company.

Gentlemen,' said he, 'deem me not either savage or insane, that I sacrifice myself and this brutal wretch thus before your eyes, and to certain and instant destruction. For me, I confess I have no value in life. Her whom I loved I have sworn to forget; and if I existed a thousand years, should probably never see again. This ruffian is a coward, and fears to die; though he does not fear daily to merit death. I have long heard of his baseness, and regard him as an assassin-the enemy of the human race and of God-a dangerous beast-whom it will be a mercy and a virtue to destroy. My own life I would well be rid of, but would not fling it away idly when its loss may be made subservient to the destruction of vice and the relief of humanity. Here, then, I yield my breath; and here, too, this trembling and shrinking craven shall close his course of debauchery and murder. My companions, farewell; should any one of you hereafter chance to meet Gertrude de Saale, tell her I nobly flung away a life which her falsehood had made me despise. And now, recreant,' he said, in a fierce tone, turning suddenly toward Mentz,

plant thy pistol to my bosom, as I will plant mine to thine. Let one of the company cry three, and the third number be the signal to fire.'

"With an increased paleness in his countenance, but with even more ferocity and firmness, Arnold threw off his cap, displaying his high brow and glossy ringlets. His lips were closed and firm; and his eyes, which glistened with_a deadly glare, were fixed on Mentz. He then placed himself in an attitude of firing; broadened his exposed chest full before his foe; and with a stamp of fury and impatience raised the weapon. The brow-beaten bully attempted to do the same; but the pistol, held loosely in his grasp, whether by accident or intention, went off before the signal. Its contents passed through the garments of Arnold, ' who, levelling the muzzle of his own, cried calmly. On your knees, base slave! vile dog! Down! or you die!'

"Unable any longer to support his frame, the unmasked coward sunk on both knees, and prayed for life with right earnest vehemence. Again wild shouts of applause and delight, and peals of riotous laughter, stunned his ears. As he rose from his humiliating posture, Arnold touched him contemptuously with his foot. Groans and hisses now began to be mingled with several missiles. Mentz covered his face with his hands and rushed from the room. He was never subsequently seen among us."

ZAYDI;

OR, THE WELL OF TRUTH.

AN ALLEGORY.

IN the beautiful and fertile Valley of Roses, cooled by the ever-flowing water of the Euphrates, dwelt Zaydi-bright as the evening star, and gentle as the wind that sighs amid the fresh-blown violets. Sixteen summers had scarce touched with their warm breath her glowing cheeks, yet Zaydi joyed in the smiles of a sweet infant. Nature had blessed it with a thousand charms; health bloomed on its cheek and gambolled in every limb; beauty had clothed it with her ever-changing robe of loveli.. ness; and genius circled its fair forehead with an undying halo. Happy, happy days! Zaydi and her young child rose with the morn, light fell their footsteps over the fragrant dews, and eve still found them bounding with an untired delight; but, alas! one day, when gazing with a mother's fond and innocent pleasures on the youthful Amé, Zaydi perceived a faint, black spot, in the centre of her darling's forehead. Trembling with affright, she flew to the sage, Abeothenon, and beseeched him to come to the relief of the little sufferer. Abeothenon listened to her prayer, and hastened to the child. While observing her, he beheld the spot deepening and widening until it almost overspread her whole forehead. With a stern look, turning to the affrighted mother, he said:

"When, by the blessing of the great and merciful Allah, you first clasped your Amé, then an infant, in your arms, prayed you for the presence of the good fairy Bennethi, to sprinkle its fair forehead with the pure and limpid water of the Well of Truth?"

Blushing with shame and confusion,

Zaydi answered:

“Oh, mighty Abeothenon! elated

with the joy of a mother on clasping her first-born, I forgot the beneficent fairy; and, beholding my child endowed with so many bright and glorious charms, awoke not to the recollection of my guilt till thou hast recalled it to my memory!"

"too

"Rash woman!" said the sage, soon wilt thou reap the reward of thine error;" and turning from the weeping mother, he slowly retired.

Heavily passed the hours to Zaydi. No longer joying in the chase, she lay listless and languid on her raised and fragrant mats, gazing upon the suffering Amé. Each day the black spot deepened in hue. Stung with the recollection of her guilt, and wrought almost to madness, Zaydi threw herself upon the ground, and prayed with an almost broken heart, that the plague-spot might be removed from the forehead of her darling child. Rising from her devotions, she beheld a mist moving on the bosom of the water; and, as she watched the phenomenon with a languid and careless curiosity, it slowly unfurled, and a slight and beautiful form stood before her; in a soft and plaintive voice, like the soft murmurings of a hid. den stream, it said:

"Behold, Zaydi, I have listened to thy prayer; by repentance and long travail, thou mayest obviate the guilt which has plunged thee into such an abyss of misery.'

Joyfully Zaydi welcomed the good fairy, for she knew it was Bennethi, the guardian of the Well of Truth.

"Kind and generous Bennethi," said Zaydi, "by what deep penance may atone for my folly! Think not that I will shrink from its performance. Oh, blessed Allah! have I not sorrowed with more than mortal grief. Speak Bennethi; the wretched Zaydi entreats thy mercy;"

"Many and dangerous are the snares that will surround you," said the good fairy; "but if, with a firm and penitent heart, you persevere in the path of duty and repentance, like the cool stream to the fainting traveller, will the reward of thy toil restore thy drooping soul. The Well of Truth lies many thousand leagues beyond you-high and rocky mountains must be traversed, and valleys dark and gloomy to the sight; yet shrink not, nor turn from thy path, though Pleasure, with her ever-changing garb, beckon you from shady groves and glittering palaces. Vain illusions, shadows of the imagination, heed them not," continued the