the
bones, as to provoke the fear that any violent effort would cause them
to force their way through the frail integument. An untrimmed beard, run
wild; and a pair of whiskers so huge, as to refuse all accordance with
the thin diminutive cheeks which wore them; thin lips, and a sharp
chin;--completed the outline of a very unprepossessing face, which a
broad high forehead did not tend very much to improve or dignify.

Though the air of the stranger was insolent, and his manner rude, our
young traveller was unwilling to decide unfavorably. At all events, his
policy and mood equally inclined him to avoid any proceeding which
should precipitate or compel violence.

"There are many good people in the world"--so he thought--"who are
better than they promise; many good Christians, whose aspects would
enable them to pass, in any crowd, as very tolerable and becoming
ruffians. This fellow may be one of the unfortunate order of virtuous
people, cursed with an unbecoming visage. We will see before we shoot."

Thus thought our traveller, quickly, as became his situation. He
determined accordingly, while foregoing none of his precautions, to see
farther into the designs of the stranger, before he resorted to any
desperate issues. He replied, accordingly, to the requisition of the
speaker; the manner, rather than the matter of which, had proved
offensive.

"Toll! You ask toll of me! By what right, sir, and for whom do you
require it?"

"Look you, young fellow, I am better able to ask questions myself, than
to answer those of other people. In respect to this matter of answering,
my education has been wofully neglected."

The reply betrayed some intelligence as well as insolence. Our traveller
could not withhold the retort.

"Ay, indeed! and in some other respects too, not less important, if I am
to judge from your look and bearing. But you mistake your man, let me
tell you. I am not the person whom you can play your pranks upon with
safety, and unless you will be pleased to speak a little more
respectfully, our parley will have a shorter life, and a rougher ending,
than you fancy."

"It would scarcely be polite to contradict so promising a young
gentleman as yourself," was the response; "but I am disposed to believe
our intimacy likely to lengthen, rather than diminish. I hate to part
over-soon with company that talks so well; particularly in these woods,
where, unless such a chance come about as the present, the lungs of