yonder window toward the west. Do you see that
signal-fire, and do you know its meaning? It means that a division of
regular troops, with artillery and cavalry, is on the way hither from
Szent-Laszlo."

Manasseh burst into a laugh. "It means that a merry company of
picnickers took their lunch this noon at the Wonder Spring, at the foot
of the great beech-tree. The wasps came out and plagued them, so they
stuck burning grass into the hollow trunk, and consequently the whole
tree was soon in flames. That is what you see burning now."

"Manasseh, if you are lying to me!"

"You know me. You know I never lie. What I say is true. When I choose
not to tell the truth, I hold my tongue. Last night I slept at
Ciprianu's. There are no imperial troops to be seen for miles around.
What is more, the Hungarian forces have left Kolozsvar. Whither have
they gone? I do not know; but it might befall you, while counting on
meeting with help, to stumble upon an enemy. After the first three
Adorjans, you will encounter a fourth, Jonathan, and he will give you
something beside Bible quotations and Metternichian diplomacy."

The Wallachian was visibly affected by this speech, but he sought to
hide his concern, and cried out, in a harsh tone: "If you are trifling
with me, Adorjan, you'll find you have trifled with your own life. If
you have told me a lie, God in heaven shall not save you."

"But as I have not told you a lie, God in heaven will save me, and I beg
you to tell me where I may lie down and sleep, for I am very tired."

"Shut him up in the bell-tower," commanded the Wallachian.

"Good!" cried Manasseh, with a laugh. "At least I shall be able to ring
you up early in the morning."

"Inasmuch as you have offered us a supply of brandy and eighteen oxen,"
were the leader's parting words, "we will have another interview in the
morning."

"Sixteen was the number," Manasseh corrected him.

A bed of hay under the bell was furnished the captive, and he was locked
up for the night, after which the company he had left held a council of
war.

CHAPTER XVII.

IN PORLIK GROTTO.

Complying with his brother's instructions, Aaron broke up his quarters
at Balyika Cave early the next morning, and, descending with Blanka to
the bed of the stream, led her up the valley to Porlik Grotto, one of
nature's wonders known to few and seldom visited. From the top of its
high-arched entrance hung cornel-bushes with brown leaves and red
ber