ust large enough to admit the body of a man. The confederates had made
it an express law never to enter their domain by this door, or to use
it, except for the purpose of escape, should the cave ever be attacked;
in which case, while one or two defended the entrance from the inner
cave, another might unbar the door, and as it opened upon the thickest
part of the wood, through which with great ingenuity a labyrinthine path
had been cut, not easily tracked by ignorant pursuers, these precautions
of the highwaymen had provided a fair hope of at least a temporary
escape from any invading enemies.

Such were the domestic arrangements of the Red Cave; and it will be
conceded that at least some skill had been shown in the choice of the
spot, if there were a lack of taste in its adornments.

While the horses were performing their nightly ascent, our three heroes,
after securing the door, made at once to the fire. And there, O reader!
they were greeted in welcome by one--an old and revered acquaintance of
thine--whom in such a scene it will equally astound and wound thee to
re-behold.

Know, then--But first we will describe to thee the occupation and the
garb of the August personage to whom we allude. Bending over a large
gridiron, daintily bespread with steaks of the fatted rump, the
INDIVIDUAL stood, with his right arm bared above the elbow, and his
right hand grasping that mimic trident known unto gastronomers by
the monosyllable "fork." His wigless head was adorned with a cotton
nightcap. His upper vestment was discarded, and a whitish apron flowed
gracefully down his middle man. His stockings were ungartered, and
permitted between the knee and the calf interesting glances of the rude
carnal. One list shoe and one of leathern manufacture cased his ample
feet. Enterprise, or the noble glow of his present culinary profession,
spread a yet rosier blush over a countenance early tinged by generous
libations, and from beneath the curtain of his pallid eyelashes his
large and rotund orbs gleamed dazzlingly on the new comers. Such, O
reader! was the aspect and the occupation of the venerable man whom we
have long since taught thee to admire; such, alas for the mutabilities
of earth! was--A new chapter only can contain the name.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Caliban. Hast thou not dropped from heaven?
Tempest.

PETER MacGRAWLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!