ttle opportunity to indulge in complaints or reflections.
As the adventurers had not come unprepared for victory, each individual
employed himself in such offices as were best adapted to his strength
and situation. The trapper had already made himself master of the
patient Asinus, who was quietly feeding at no great distance from the
rock, and he was now busy in fitting his back with the complicated
machinery that Dr. Battius saw fit to term a saddle of his own
invention. The naturalist himself seized upon his portfolios, herbals,
and collection of insects, which he quickly transferred from the
encampment of the squatter, to certain pockets in the aforesaid
ingenious invention, and which the trapper as uniformly cast away the
moment his back was turned. Paul showed his dexterity in removing such
light articles as Inez and Ellen had prepared for their flight to
the foot of the citadel, while Middleton, after mingling threats and
promises, in order to induce the children to remain quietly in their
bondage, assisted the females to descend. As time began to press upon
them, and there was great danger of Ishmael's returning, these several
movements were made with singular industry and despatch.

The trapper bestowed such articles as he conceived were necessary to the
comfort of the weaker and more delicate members of the party, in those
pockets from which he had so unceremoniously expelled the treasures of
the unconscious naturalist, and then gave way for Middleton to place
Inez in one of those seats which he had prepared on the back of the
animal for her and her companion.

"Go, child," the old man said, motioning to Ellen to follow the example
of the lady, and turning his head a little anxiously to examine the
waste behind him. "It cannot be long afore the owner of this place will
be coming to look after his household; and he is not a man to give up
his property, however obtained, without complaint!"

"It is true," cried Middleton; "we have wasted moments that are
precious, and have the utmost need of industry."

"Ay, ay, I thought it; and would have said it, captain; but I remembered
how your grand'ther used to love to look upon the face of her he led
away for a wife, in the days of his youth and his happiness. 'Tis
natur', 'tis natur', and 'tis wiser to give way a little before its
feelings, than to try to stop a current that will have its course."

Ellen advanced to the side of the beast, and seizing Inez by the han