ious to
have everything explained to us, we signified this desire to our host.

"Wait until night," said he. "Around the cheerful log-fire I will tell
you my story. Meanwhile you all need other refreshment than eating.
Come to the lake then, and take a bath. The sun is high and warm. A
bath will refresh you after your dusty travel."

So saying, he stepped out of the cottage, and proceeded towards the
lake, followed by all our party. A few minutes after, we were
refreshing ourselves in the crystal water.

During the remainder of the day, we occupied ourselves at different
employments. Some went back to the mountain-foot for the mules and
Mexicans; while the rest of us strolled about the house and grounds--
every now and then stumbling upon some new object of wonder.

We were impatient for the coming of night, for we were wound up to a
pitch of extreme curiosity, and longed for an explanation of what we saw
around us.

Night came at length; and after an excellent supper, we all sat around
the cheerful fire, to listen to the strange history of Robert Rolfe--for
that was the name of our host.

CHAPTER FIVE.

ROLFE'S EARLY HISTORY.

"Brothers," began he, "I am of your own race, although I am not an
American. I am an Englishman. I was born in the south of that country
something more than forty years ago. My father was a yeoman--an
independent, or, as he was sometimes styled, a gentleman-farmer.
Unfortunately, he was a man of too much ambition for his class. He was
determined that I, his only son, should be a gentleman in the ordinary
sense of the word; that is, that I should be educated in all those
expensive habits and accomplishments, which are sure to lead men of
moderate fortune along the direct road to ruin. This was not wise of my
father; but it would not be graceful in me to reflect upon a fault, that
consisted in his too great fondness for myself. I believe it was the
only fault which my good, kind father, was ever charged with. Beyond
this somewhat foolish ambition, his character was without reproach among
men.

"I was sent to those schools where I should meet the scions of the
aristocracy. I was taught to dance, to ride, and to play. I was
allowed spending money at will, and could call for champagne, and drink
it, with any of my companions. At the end of my college life, I was
sent upon my travels. I made the tour of the Rhine, of France, and
Italy; and after some years spent in this