the party was engaged in
drawing up the boat. "Stir up the fire and rouse Pina,--tell her to
prepare to receive company."

"She'll be as much puzzled as if I told her to prepare to receive
cavalry," muttered the boy as he ran up to the cave.

"Hallo! Pina! rouse up, old girl," he shouted, bursting into the cave,
and falling on his knees before the embers of the fire, which he soon
blew up into a flame. "I say, Pina! hallo! Pina! Pi-i-i-i-na!"

"Dear me, Otto, what is wrong?" asked the sleepy voice of Pauline from
behind her screen.

"Wrong?" cried her brother, "nothing's wrong--that is, everything's
wrong; but don't be afraid, old girl, all's right. Dress as fast as you
can, and prepare for company!"

"What _do_ you mean?" cried the girl, by that time thoroughly aroused,
and somewhat alarmed by Otto's words and excitement.

"Can't explain. No time. Get up, make yourself presentable, and come
out of your den."

As he spoke Pauline lifted the curtain door of her apartment and stepped
into the outer cave, which was by that time all aglow with the ruddy
blaze.

"Do you call yourself presentable?" asked Otto, laughing; "why your hair
is raised like the back of a wild cat."

It is only right to say that the boy did not do his sister justice. An
old shawl thrown hastily on, and descending in confused folds around her
slight, graceful figure, invested her with an air of classic simplicity,
while her pretty face, surrounded by a wealth of dishevelled, but
beautiful, hair, was suggestive of something very much the reverse of a
wild cat.

"Are you prepared, sister, for a stunning surprise?" said Otto, quickly,
for he heard the approaching footsteps of the party.

"I'm prepared for anything," said Pauline, her lustrous eyes and her
little mouth opening simultaneously, for she also heard the numerous
footfalls outside.

"'Tis well!" cried Otto, starting up, and assuming a heroic attitude as
he waved his right hand toward the door of the cavern, "no time to
explain. Enter Dominick, with band of robbers, headed by their captain,
amid shrieking wind, forked lightning, and peals of thunder!"

As he spoke, Pauline, despite her surprise, could scarcely refrain from
laughter, for Otto's words were fulfilled almost to the letter. Amid a
strife of elements that caused their frail erections to tremble, the
little door burst open, and Dominick, stooping low to save his head,
entered. He was followed by the gaunt,