You are a witness yourself that I have forborne to utter a single call, while I am certain it could reach those ears it would gladden so much.

Permit me then to ascend the rock, singly; I promise a perfect indemnity to your kinsman, against any injury his effects may sustain." Ellen seemed to hesitate, but catching a glimpse of Paul, who stood leaning proudly on his rifle, whistling, with an appearance of the utmost indifference, the air of a boating song, she recovered her recollection in time to answer,-- "I have been left the captain of the rock, while my uncle and his sons hunt, and captain will I remain till he returns to receive back the charge." "This is wasting moments that will not soon return, and neglecting an opportunity that may never occur again," the young soldier gravely remarked.

"The sun is beginning to fall already, and many minutes cannot elapse before the squatter and his savage brood will be returning to their huts." Doctor Battius cast a glance behind him, and took up the discourse, by saying-- "Perfection is always found in maturity, whether it be in the animal or in the intellectual world.

Reflection is the mother of wisdom, and wisdom the parent of success.

I propose that we retire to a discreet distance from this impregnable position, and there hold a convocation, or council, to deliberate on what manner we may sit down regularly before the place; or, perhaps, by postponing the siege to another season, gain the aid of auxiliaries from the inhabited countries, and thus secure the dignity of the laws from any danger of a repulse." "A storm would be better," the soldier smilingly answered, measuring the height and scanning all its difficulties with a deliberate eye; "'twould be but a broken arm or a bruised head at the worst." "Then have at it!" shouted the impetuous bee-hunter, making a spring that at once put him out of danger from shot, by carrying him beneath the projecting ledge on which the garrison was posted; "now do your worst, young devils of a wicked breed; you have but a moment to work your mischief!" "Paul! rash Paul!" shrieked Ellen; "another step and the rocks will crush you! they hang by but a thread, and these girls are ready and willing to let them fall!" "Then drive the accursed swarm from the hive; for scale the rock I will, though I find it covered with hornets." "Let her if she dare!" tauntingly cried the eldest of the girls, brandishing a musket with a mien and resolution that would have done credit to her Amazonian dam.