Dragoni's Daughter.

among those rude outlaws , and whose years befitted him most for the position of adviser to tbe brave , handsome , but extremel y youthful chief who held sway over them . " Tidings 1 " said the captain . " Ha , my brave fellows , " and a bitter smile curved

round the Italian ' s Avell-cut lips , "know ye that all Venice is placarded , ancl that a p rice is set upon the head of your chief ? Merry tidings that , i'faith ! " And the smile broke into a derisive laugh . A murmur of surprise ran through the

hall , and several of the banditti grasped at the daggers in their belts . "By the mass I but ' tis true enough , " continued the young captain . "Listen , comrades ! "Twas early morn , as you know , when I entered the city in my good

friar ' s garb , " and be glanced down at the coarse robe which hung loosely over a doublet of embroidered velvet . '' The sun bad scarce looked out from bis Mediterranean bed , when I anchored my gondola at the landing-stairsand betook

foot-, my steps to the streets . But though ' twas early , the maskers Avere already abroad in these high carnii'al times , and so drawing closer my cowl , I walked onward . 'HOAV

now ! exclaimed some one , brushing past me . ' Whither in such hastle , holy padre ? Hast thou found the hiding-place of Carlo Trevorra , the bandit , and art hastening to the Doge to gain the reward offered for his head ? ' And then , with , a merry laugh ancl

a slap on my shoulder that almost sent the breath from my body , he hurried on , leaving me standing still in surprise . But a moment restored my caution . Again I went on my way , mingled with the thickest crowd of maskers , unmindful that every-Avhere

I turned placards met my gaze , wherein five hundred ducats were offered for my head . By the Virgin , my men , it was ri ght pleasant thus to defy the power of his most gracious highness , Geronius Prmli , Doge of Venice , ancl the most

AVorshipful Council of Ten I" Ancl the bandit captain laughed quickly . " But when was Carlo Trevorra ever fearful of danger ? " And he glanced proudly round on the circle of dusky men . "Never I " they lied and again their

rep ; tumultuous shouts beat the air of the rocky cavern hall . « Sever I Carlo the brave ! Car o the undaunted ! " rose in a shout of exultant applause . " " weli . " continued the young captain ,

after a short pause . " I saw the danger , shunned it not , and yet I am Avith you again in safety . But it may not be amiss to shuu Venice for a season . It appears that the noble senator AVIIO escaped us in the forest proceeded straight to the council , and lod

ged his- complaint against me ; hence the fame your captain has suddenl y acquired . We must not rush heedlessl y into exposure , unless Ave would find a home in the Inquisition ' s dungeons . The knowledge of our boldness is the talk of all

Venice ; the spies of the council are wary ; Ave must be on our guard . And yet you may deem it strange that Carlo Trevorra counsels others to shuu what he seeks himself . To-morrow eve must again behold me in Venice . Shall it be alone 1—or what half-score among his brave men Avill meet him there , ready to do his

bidding 1 Scarce had Carlo paused , gazing around on his men with a keen , anxious glance , ere full three score were upon their feet , with hands upon their rapiers' hilts . " It is enough , " said the captain . " Ye

are all true felloAvs and brave . By tbe Madonna , but Carlo Trevorra will not soon forget this 1 On the morrow will I choose ; for to-night feast long and late , and let the red wine HOAV like Avater . Ere the sun has twice dipped his crimson face in the

western waters , the bandit chief shall be richer—ay , a thousand times richer—than any Venetian noble , and the Council of Ten may have need of double , ay , treble the price set upon my head . " And so saying the young captain drained another goblet , and passed from the hall to his own chamber .

For a feAv moments surprise was depicted on the faces of the men sitting at the board , " What new project is our gallant captain brewing now ? " asked one . "I'faith , that ' s an easy question ; but Avho

was ever known to keep his secrets closer than our captain 1 " replied another . " Let us leave him alone Avith it , ancl for to-night pay court to this rare vintage of Tuscany . Per Bacco ! but ' tis most siveet , and has a flavour that smacks of 'Tis

age . like that Ave poured so freely into our throats the night Ave robbed old Jose Verriez , the Avine-merchant . Comrades , didst ever listen to the story of that ni g ht 1 . "