Nobody there knew him, nor had ever even seen him before; and in a short time the impression began to gain ground that he must have been no other than the conjurer who was said to have arrived in the town that day.

In the meantime, while this point was under discussion, a clear, loud, but very mellow voice was heard about twenty yards above them, saying, "Stand aside, and make way--leave me room for a run." The curiosity of the people was at once excited by what they had only a few minutes before pronounced to be a feat that was impossible to be accomplished.

They accordingly opened a lane for the daring individual, who, they imagined, was about to submit himself to a scorching that might cost him his life.

No sooner was the lane made, and the by-standers removed back, than a person evidently youthful, tall, elastic, and muscular, approached the burning mass with the speed, and lightness of a deer, and flew over it as if he had wings.

A tremendous shout burst forth, which lasted for more than a minute, and the people were about to bring him to receive his reward at the whiskey keg, when it was found that he also had disappeared.