mysteries of
the craft the better, and no one will go through the ceremony more
explicitly, briefly and satisfactorily, than myself--_le Caporal
Blon_. First of all, _mon brave_, and most indispensable, as your good
sense will teach you, it is necessary that every new comer is bound to
pay his footing among the '_government boarders_;' and as you,
Monsieur le capitaine, seem to be the honored _chef_ of this charming
little squadron, I will make bold to thank you for a _Louis d'or_, or
a _Napoleon_, to insure your welcome."

The request was no sooner out than complied with.

"_Bien!_" continued the corporal, "_c'est un bon enfant, parbleu!_
Now, I have but one more _mystere_ to impart, and that is a regulation
which no clever chap disregards. We are companions in misery; we sleep
beneath one roof; we eat out of one kettle;--in fact, _nous sommes
freres_, and the _secrets of brothers are sacred, within these walls,
from jailers and turnkeys_!"

As he said these words, he pursed up his mouth, bent his eyes
scrutinizingly into mine, and laying his finger on his lip, brought
his right hand once more, with a salute, to the oily remnant of a
military cap.

I was initiated. I gave the required pledge for my party, and, in
return, was assured that, in any enterprise undertaken for our
escape,--which seemed to be the great object and concern of every
body's prison-life,--we should be assisted and protected by our
fellow-sufferers.

Most of this day was passed in our rooms, and, at dark, after being
mustered and counted, we were locked up for the night. For some time
we moped and sulked, according to the fashion of all _new_ convicts,
but, at length, we sallied forth in a body to the court-yard,
determined to take the world as it went, and make the best of a bad
bargain.

I soon fell into a pleasant habit of chatting familiarly with old
Corporal Blon, who was grand chamberlain, or master of ceremonies, to
our penal household, and turned out to be a good fellow, though a
frequent offender against "_le coq de France_." Blon drew me to a seat
in the sunshine, which I enjoyed, after shivering in the cold
apartments of the prison; and, stepping off among the prisoners, began
to bring them up for introduction to Don Teodor, separately. First of
all, I had the honor of receiving Monsieur Laramie, a stout, stanch,
well-built marine, who professed to be _maitre d'armes_ of our "royal
boarding-house," and tendered his services in