Suddenly a ferocious roar was heard, followed by a loud scream from the Prophet; and, almost immediately after, the panther howled piteously.
"You are no doubt the cause of some great accident," said the frightened host to the soldier; "did you not hear that cry?
Morok is, perhaps, dangerously wounded." Dagobert was about to answer, when the door opened, and Goliath appeared on the threshold.
"You may enter now," said he; "the danger is over." The interior of the menagerie presented a singular spectacle.

The Prophet, pale, and scarcely able to conceal his agitation beneath an apparent air of calmness, was kneeling some paces from the cage of the panther, in the attitude of one absorbed in himself; the motion of his lips indicating that he was praying.

At sight of the host and the people of the inn, he rose, and said in a solemn voice: "I thank thee, my Preserver, that I have been able to conquer, by the strength which Thou hast given me." Then folding his arms, with haughty brow and imperious glance, he seemed to enjoy the triumph he had achieved over Death, who, stretched on the bottom of her den, continued to utter plaintive howlings.

The spectators of this scene, ignorant that the pelisse of the brute-tamer covered a complete suit of armor, and attributing the cries of the panther solely to fear, were struck with astonishment and admiration at the intrepidity and almost supernatural power of this man.

A few steps behind him stood Goliath, leaning upon the ashen pikestaff.