characters. It is a Mohammedan talisman, and, perhaps, an emblem shocking
to our holy religion!"

"You are certainly mistaken, sir," replied Geronimo.

"Is not the cross placed above the crescent, and would not that signify
that the faith of Christ has triumphed over the doctrines of Mahomet?"

"But why do you call it a relic?"

"Mary so named it, not I. It is an amulet, and if it has any power, it
derives it from the gray stone beneath the cross. This stone is a
_draconite_, taken, at the risk of life, from the head of a dragon in the
country of the negroes."

A half contemptuous smile curled the lips of the old man as he
contemplated the talisman in silence. At last he said: "I remember, Signor
Geronimo, to have read in Pliny curious details of the draconite and its
extraordinary powers, but I also remember that the great naturalist
forgets to tell us the inherent qualities of the stone. Alas! signor,
would you trust in this talisman, and believe that it could protect you
against the dagger of the assassin? The people of the South have a strange
piety: in their superstition they confound what is holy with things which
owe their efficacy, if they possess any, to the conjurations of
sorcerers."

The young noble colored slightly, and replied: "You are mistaken, sir, as
far as I am concerned. For my justification allow me to tell you that this
amulet belonged to a pilgrim; that it rested one entire night of Good
Friday upon the tomb of our Lord at Jerusalem; but I will be candid, and