Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 1.djvu/219

 of my serious friend. Thinking the old veteran would relish their proposal as little as myself, I thought it would be agreeable to him, if I could prevail on the spirited sons of Mars not to urge the matter farther; addressing them in a jocose manner.

"Gentlemen, it seems you do not consider that these airy disturbers of nocturnal rest are not fond of large companies; or do you suppose the apparition, which I suspect to be a female one, a second Semiramis."

However, it was in vain to attempt persuading them to drop the adventure, their imagination having been heated too much by the Austrian's tale, as that they would give up their design: Turning their backs against me, highly displeased with my harangue, they solicited my friend with the greatest impetuosity to comply with their request. He inquired whether Lieutenant N was still an inhabitant of the haunted inn, and being told that the valiant son of Mars had