until Petard himself interfered, declaring that he who could thus
fight without weapons, and with such skill and decision, must be a
strong auxiliary in time of need. He was installed, therefore, with
due ceremony, as a member of the band.

"It was a fine, clear night," continued Carlton, "that on which it
came the turn of the new comer to guard the tower in which Bettina
Etzwell was confined. The stars shone out like mystic lamps, and the
broad turrets of the robbers' stronghold cast deep shadows upon the
open plats that had been cleared about the spot. All was still.
After an evening of revelry, the band was sleeping, and the single
guard paced to and fro, apparently not daring to sit down lest he
should fall asleep. In the lone tower above him was the fair
prisoner. She realized her true situation, and she knew that her
father would use every endeavor to raise the sum requisite for her
ransom. She knew enough about the habits and practices of the
banditti, not to have any fears for her personal safety, since it
was so much for their pecuniary advantage to protect and respect
her. Indeed, Petard had frankly told her of the communications that
had taken place between her father and himself concerning her
ransom.

"But hark! What startles the fair girl so suddenly? See, she hastens
to the turret window, and listens absorbedly to the low but musical
notes of a human voice. Is it because the song is so familiar to her
ear, that she is thus moved? Perhaps there are recollections
connected with this air that are particularly affecting to her, for
her fair bosom heaves quickly, and her whole figure seems agitated,
as she gazes out upon the night, and her eyes rest upon the person
of the robber who guards her captivity, while a clear, manly voice,