daring, he scrambled downward to the third carriage. Quickly he reached
the spot, and the poor little gloved hands of his darling were thrown in
ecstasy around his neck. Someone had drawn up the cord on which he had
let himself down, fastened a stout iron rod to it, and suspended it
carefully. Happily it reached him, and with its aid he made a good-sized
breach, widening the opening of the window; he worked with desperate
strength, and we gazed breathlessly on. Now we saw him drop the rod
again. The tender arms of his bride were around his neck, a fair head
was thrust out, the whole form was emerging, when with a tremendous
crash, and a hissing, spluttering, crackling noise, the whole fabric
shook and trembled, and husband and wife were united in death.

The great boiler had burst; the explosion had changed the scene again,
and the young painter might draw still another sketch.




III.

THE ENGLISHMAN.


That long-legged son of Albion whom I had previously observed, strolled
up to my side and asked--

"Do you understand German, sir?"

"Yes, sir, I do."