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CONSTANCY. 39 with my reapers;” he spoke thus, supposing him to be a stout, impudent beggar. The outlaw smiled, and answered, ”I am Rondino, sir.” Mr. A— immediately held out to him several pistoles. ”I never take more than a quarter crown piece,” said the fugitive,” that fills my horn. Only, however, if you are anxious to oblige me, be so kind as to order me something to eat, for I am very hungry just now.” A slice of bread and bacon was given to him, and he was about moving off with it in his hand, when Mr. A, whose curiosity was alive to see a little more of a man of whom the whole country was talking, called him back “Rondino,” said he, “you have no way left but to quit this country, or you will be caught at last, as sure as you are there. Go to Genoa or to France, and from there take sail for Greece, where you will find employment as a soldier, and that too, perhaps, among some of your own comrades and countrymen, who will receive you well. I shall willingly make you a present of your travelling expenses.” Rondino listened to the proposal with a thankful and thoughtful air, cast down his eyes a moment and considered it “I thank you,” said he, “but I could not live elsewhere than in mine own country; and it will go hard, but that I keep the gallows at a distance for some time yet.”

One day some robbers by trade, who skulked in the same hiding places, took Rondino aside, and made him a proposal. “To night,” said they, “a lawyer from Turin is to pass through such a road, with 40,000 livres in his carriage; if you will head us, we shall stop him, and you shall have captain's share.” Rondino haughtily drew up, and looking at them with a glance of scorn, exclaimed, “What do you take me for? I am an honest outlaw, not a robber. If ever you repeat it, I shall make you repent such impertinence.” He then made all haste to way lay the lawyer's carriage. Having come up with it just at night fall, he ordered the driver to stop; he mounted the coach box, and then bade the driver proceed. Meanwhile the lawyer, all consternation, expected to be assassinated. The vehicle moved on, and presently, in a defile, the robbers sprang out across the road. Rondino instantly cried out, “Signors! you know who I am; this carriage is under my protection, and whoever attacks it will have to deal with me.” His unerring musket was pointed as he spoke, and his monstrous dog stood bristling beside the wheels, ready for a leap, at a sign from his master. The banditti slunk away as suddenly as they had appeared, leaving the carriage to proceed unmolested, and it soon reached a place of safety. The lawyer offered a very large present to Rondino, but he refused it. “I have only done an honest man's duty,” said the blood marked wanderer; “and now I am in need of nothing; however, if you are really as grateful as you pretend to be, just leave word with your tenants not to refuse me a quarter crown piece when my powder horn is empty, or something to eat now and then, when I am pressed for food.”

Rondino was captured two years ago, in the following manner. He had craved a night's lodging at a parsonage; he asked as usual for all the keys, but the curate had the address to reserve one, and through the door to which it belonged, as soon as the outlaw was sleeping, he sent a little boy to give information to the nearest brigade of gen d'armes. Rondino's dog had a most wonderful instinct at observing every suspicion of danger, and the most distant approach of his master's pursuers. His barking awoke his master, who betook himself to flight, but he found every street in the village already alarmed and guarded. He returned to his night's quarters, climbed into the belfry of the chapel, and barricadoed himself. As soon as day broke, he began to take aim from the loop holes, and soon drove the brigade of gen d'armes into cover. They gave up all thoughts of storming the belfry, and took shelter in the neighbouring houses. A continual discharge of musketry was kept up during the greater part of the day. Rondino had not received a wound, and had disabled three gend'armes; but he had neither food nor water, and the heat was suffocating. He perceived that his hour was come. Presently those below saw him thrust his musket out of a window, waving something white at the end of it. The gen d'armes ceased firing. He then came forward and cried out, ”I am tired out with such a life, and am willing to give up; but no gen-d'armes shall have my surrender to boast of.” There was a detachment of regular troops not far from the village, the captain of which yielded to the demand of Rondino. He drew up his troops before the belfry, and Rondino came down forthwith. stepped up to the officer and said with an unfaltering voice, ”pray, sir, let me present you with my dog; you will be pleased with him, rely upon it; promise me to take good care of him.” The officer promised. Rondino immediately wrenched off the lock of his gun, and threw it away; then gave up his stock and himself without resistance, and was led off by the soldiery, who treated him with much respect. He awaited his trial, in prison, for two years, heard his sentence with firmness, and met his fate without a tremor or a bravado.

CONSTANCY.

BY SIR WALTER SCOTT.

When the tempest's at the loudest, On its gale the eagle rides; When the ocean rolls the proudest Through the foam the sea bird glides All the rage of wind and sea Is subdued by Constancy.

Gnawing want and sickness pining, All the ills that men endure; Each their various pangs combining, Constancy can find a cure- Pain, and fear, and poverty, Are subdued by Constancy.

Bar me from each wonted pleasure, Make me abject, mean, and poor; Heap on insults without measure, Chain me to a dungeon floor I'll be happy, rich and free, If endow'd with Constancy.