fame to the minds of that region, which is far more preferable than this lonely cell.  My heart shall speak for thee till the latest hour; I know faint and broken are the sounds of sorrow, yet our souls, Elfonzo, shall hear the peaceful songs together.  One bright name shall be ours on high, if we are not permitted to be united here; bear in mind that I still cherish my old sentiments, and the poet will mingle the names of Elfonzo and Ambulinia in the tide of other days.”  “Fly, Elfonzo,” said the voices of his united band, “to the wounded heart of your beloved.  All enemies shall fall beneath thy sword.  Fly through the clefts, and the dim spark shall sleep in death.”  Elfonzo rushes forward and strikes his shield against the door, which was barricaded, to prevent any intercourse.  His brave sons throng around him.  The people pour along the streets, both male and female, to prevent or witness the melancholy scene.

“To arms, to arms!” cried Elfonzo; “here is a victory to be won, a prize to be gained that is more to me that the whole world beside.”  “It cannot be done tonight,” said Mr. Valeer.  “I bear the clang of death; my strength and armor shall prevail.  My Ambulinia shall rest in this hall until the break of another day, and if we fall, we fall together.  If we die, we die clinging to our tattered rights, and our blood alone shall tell the mournful tale of a murdered daughter and a ruined father.”  Sure enough, he kept watch all night, and was successful in defending his house and family.  The bright morning gleamed upon the hills, night vanished away, the Major and his associates felt somewhat ashamed that they had not been as fortunate as they expected to have been; however, they still leaned upon their arms in dispersed groups; some were walking the streets, others were talking in the Major’s behalf.  Many of the citizen suspended business, as the town presented nothing but consternation.  A novelty that might end in the destruction of some worthy and respectable citizens.  Mr. Valeer ventured in the streets, though not without being well armed.  Some of his friends congratulated him on the decided stand he had taken, and hoped he would settle the matter amicably with Elfonzo, without any serious injury.  “Me,” he replied, “what, me, condescend to fellowship with a coward, and a low-lived, lazy, undermining villain? no, gentlemen, this cannot be; I had rather be borne off, like the bubble upon the dark blue ocean, with Ambulinia by my side, than to have him in the ascending or descending line of relationship.  Gentlemen,” continued he, “if Elfonzo is so much of a distinguished character, and is so learned in the fine arts, why do you not patronize such men? why not introduce him into your families, as a gentleman of taste and of unequaled magnanimity? why are you so very anxious that he should become a relative of mine?  Oh, gentlemen, I fear you yet are tainted with the curiosity of our first parents, who were beguiled by the poisonous kiss of an old