“He was obeyed, and the new comer drained the flask to the bottom, and devoured the food voraciously, until those about him interfered, saying that he would kill himself after so long an abstinence; and truly there seemed to be some grounds for this fear, so ravenously hungry did he seem.  Gradually, as the wine warmed his veins, and the food, to which some dried meats had been added, began to satisfy the cravings of hunger, the stranger rose from his bending posture, and new life seemed infused into his system.  His eyes, though somewhat hollow, seemed to brighten and light up his rugged face.  There was manhood in him, and that pleased the bandits; he showed no signs of fear, and looked boldly about him, like one who was accustomed to rely on himself, and was prepared to stand forth at any moment in defence of his rights.

“’If thou canst fight as well as thou canst eat, my man, thou art a jewel of a fellow,’ said Petard, carefully scanning the new comer, who seemed every moment brightening up from the effects of the nourishment.

“‘Give me but rest and more food, and you may then try me,’ was the brief reply.

“‘Thou art a sensible fellow,’ continued Petard, who was evidently pleased with the stranger, ‘and shalt be humored.’

“A rude couch was spread by the robbers amidst their stacks of arms, and throwing himself upon the skins thus prepared for him, the stranger slept for hours, until the bright sun was high in the heavens on the following morning, when, after another abundant meal, he seemed like a new creature; he stood erect, and his fine dark eye shone with the fire of resolution and of strength.  His story was soon told; he had outraged the laws, was seized and condemned to punishment, had effected his escape and fled to the mountains, and wandered about until half-starved, and nearly dead with fatigue, he had thus been found.

“’Your story is plausible, but what shall we do with you?  You know the secret of our paths through the mountain, and it is not safe to let thee go abroad to reveal them,’ said the bandit chief.

“‘Make me one of you, then,’ said the stranger.

“‘We make but few members,’ replied Petard.  ’It is not our way; and men must possess peculiar qualities to obtain a place with us, and a share of our prize-earnings.’

“Probably courage, strength and a ready hand are worth something among you,’ said the stranger.

“‘Yes, but we all possess these,’ replied Petard.

“‘In a degree,’ said the stranger, emphasizing the last word.

“‘What mean you?’ asked Petard.

“’That perhaps he who offers you his services is a better man than you take him for,’ said the other.

“‘In what respects?’ asked Petard.

“‘In all things that constitute manhood,’ was the reply.  ’Yesterday I was weak and worn; to-day I am myself again.  And no man of this band can bear the palm from me in the use of those powers which Heaven has given us.’