temptation?  If there is one who desires to go, let him come and shake hands upon the altar of devotion, and swear that he will be a hero; yes, a Hector in a cause like this, which calls aloud for a speedy remedy.”  “Mine be the deed,” said a young lawyer, “and mine alone; Venus alone shall quit her station before I will forsake one jot or tittle of my promise to you; what is death to me? what is all this warlike army, if it is not to win a victory?  I love the sleep of the lover and the mighty; nor would I give it over till the blood of my enemies should wreak with that of my own.  But God forbid that our fame should soar on the blood of the slumberer.”  Mr. Valeer stands at his door with the frown of a demon upon his brow, with his dangerous weapon ready to strike the first man who should enter his door.  “Who will arise and go forward through blood and carnage to the rescue of my Ambulinia?” said Elfonzo.  “All,” exclaimed the multitude; and onward they went, with their implements of battle.  Others, of a more timid nature, stood among the distant hills to see the result of the contest.

Elfonzo took the lead of his band.  Night arose in clouds; darkness concealed the heavens; but the blazing hopes that stimulated them gleamed in every bosom.  All approached the anxious spot; they rushed to the front of the house and, with one exclamation, demanded Ambulinia.  “Away, begone, and disturb my peace no more,” said Mr. Valeer.  “You are a set of base, insolent, and infernal rascals.  Go, the northern star points your path through the dim twilight of the night; go, and vent your spite upon the lonely hills; pour forth your love, you poor, weak-minded wretch, upon your idleness and upon your guitar, and your fiddle; they are fit subjects for your admiration, for let me assure you, though this sword and iron lever are cankered, yet they frown in sleep, and let one of you dare to enter my house this night and you shall have the contents and the weight of these instruments.”  “Never yet did base dishonor blur my name,” said Elfonzo; “mine is a cause of renown; here are my warriors; fear and tremble, for this night, though hell itself should oppose, I will endeavor to avenge her whom thou hast banished in solitude.  The voice of Ambulinia shall be heard from that dark dungeon.”  At that moment Ambulinia appeared at the window above, and with a tremulous voice said, “Live, Elfonzo! oh! live to raise my stone of moss! why should such language enter your heart? why should thy voice rend the air with such agitation?  I bid thee live, once more remembering these tears of mine are shed alone for thee, in this dark and gloomy vault, and should I perish under this load of trouble, join the song of thrilling accents with the raven above my grave, and lay this tattered frame beside the banks of the Chattahoochee or the stream of Sawney’s brook; sweet will be the song of death to your Ambulinia.  My ghost shall visit you in the smiles of Paradise, and tell your high