The trembling captives through the liquid air,
And for their callow young a cruel feast prepare.
* * * * *
Wild thyme and savory set around their cell,
Sweet to the taste and fragrant to the smell:
Set rows of rosemary with flowering stem,
And let the purple violet drink the stream.

Dryden's _Virgil_.


The building before them had low, thick walls, of undressed stones,
and a heavy roof over it covered with tiles. The door was shut, and
the travelers could see nothing of the household; but the sharp, angry
challenge of the canine sentinels within, who did not pause to listen
for an answer, proved that the place was not without a garrison. Some
premonitory drops began to fall from the cloud, which now overhung
them. Tired of waiting, L'Isle was about to complete the investment by
sending the muleteer round to the other side of the house, when he
perceived two young round faces peeping out at a square hole in the
wall that served for a window; a man's voice was heard quieting the
dogs, and a pair of sharp eyes were detected peering over the door,
made too short for the doorway, perhaps for that purpose. The
governor was evidently reconnoitering carefully the party outside.
The result seemed, at length, to prove satisfactory, the presence of
the ladies probably removing any fears of violence.

The door was thrown open, and one, who seemed to be the master of the
house, stepped out with an air of frank hospitality to receive their
request for shelter. Begging them to alight, he called out for