the Bailiff of Dunmow, and the two burgesses-to say nothing of Peggy, Carroty Dick, and the rest of their household-all of whom were prepared to depose on oath to the excellent understanding (as far as they knew) between the landlord and his spouse, and to their perfect conjugal felicity. It was true that Alured Fitzwalter and his wife were candidates for the prize. But what of that? Jonas Nettlebed and Nelly stood first on the Register, and if they were successful (as they were sure to be), Alured and Rose must wait for another twelvemonththe gift having been discovered, on careful examination of the Charter by Mr. Roper, to be limited to one couple during the year.

One person only had Jonas dreaded. Luckily, that detested individual was away, and not at all likely to appear against him as a witness. Nothing had been seen of the impudent rascal since the great rejoicings at Monkbury Place, on the day after which he had disappeared-various reasons being assigned for his sudden departure, but none particularly to his credit. No, no, Captain Juddock was not likely to trouble him. He was quite easy on that score.

Taking this cheerful view of things, Jonas surrendered himself to full enjoyment of the moment; and was laughing, jesting, and filling the glasses of his friends, when the Chelmsford waggon came up.

Nelly had just remarked that she always associated the jingling of its bells with the arrival of Dr. Plot-Sir Walter she meant-and she wondered whether anybody, as singular as that eccentric old gentleman, was coming now. Scarcely were the words out of her mouth, when Ben the Waggoner announced that he had a guest for the Flitch.

“And a rum un he be," Ben said, grinning from ear to ear. foreign parts I reckon. He ben't dressed like a Christian."

"Fro'

A stranger from foreign parts! Nelly's curiosity was instantly excited. So was Jonas's-but a feeling of uneasiness (he knew not exactly wherefore) stole over him. He disliked strangers-especially from foreign parts-though their visits to the Flitch were few and far between. However, Carroty Dick and Peggy were called forth; and presently from the back of the waggon emerged a most extraordinary personage, whose like had never before been seen at Dunmow. His appearance fully justified Ben's description.

Everybody rose from their seats to gaze at him. Nelly was struck with admiration; and Jonas looked quite dumb-founded.

A Turk of gigantic proportions-yes, a Turk. How he came to be in the Chelmsford waggon Nelly could not conceive-but there was no doubt as to the fact. A Turk he was, if ever there was one, as was shown by his loose white trousers, his embroidered sandals, the sash round his waist in which a silver-sheathed ataghan was stuck, the short crimson jacket edged with gold, the curled scimetar at his side, and the enormous, many-folded turban on his head, with the crescent in front of it. A Turk beyond all question, and a prodigiously handsome Turk too, Nelly thought, with his long, shining black beard, and his flashing black full of Oriental roguery. eyes,

Carroty Dick ventured to inquire for the Turkish gentleman's luggage. A large, shabby-looking portmanteau was brought out, together with a long cherry-stick pipe, and a pouch filled with tobacco. The portmanteau was carried off by Dick, but the pipe and the pouch were

delivered by Peggy to the Turk, who received them from her hands with something so like a wink, that it called a blush to the cheeks of the ingenuous chambermaid.

"Does the Turkish gentleman speak English?" Jonas inquired of the

waggoner.

"Ay, ay, sir," Ben replied, still grinning. "He can make hissel pratty well understood."

"Then I'll address him," Jonas said. And making a very low bow to the stranger, he respectfully begged to know his pleasure.

"Salam aleikoum!" the Turk said, returning the salutation in truly Eastern style. "Aleikoum salam! My pleasure, worthy host, is to rest for the night within your caravanserai. Let the man who hath brought me hither be paid.'

"The waggoner,

How much, sir?"

Nelly interposed, courtseying-"oh yes, sir.

"Give the dog a sequin," the Turk said.

"Ah! by Allah! I forget.

The fair Frank knows not the coin. Give him a piece of silver. Thy father shall be repaid."

"My father!" Nelly exclaimed. husband."

"If you mean Jonas, sir,—he's my

"Bismillah !—can it be?" the Turk cried. "The aged infidel is unworthy of such a treasure. You deserve a place in the Sultan's seraglio -by the beard of the Prophet, you ought to be a Sultana!"

"By the marry-maskins! I must put a stop to this," Jonas thought; "I cannot permit him to call me an aged infidel, or to tell my wife she ought to be a Sultana." The landlord's misgivings were almost confirmed, his perceptions being quickened by jealousy.

"Allow me to ask your name, and title, sir ?" he added.

"You may call me Amurath," the Turk replied. "I am Ex-Aga of the Janissaries, and recently of the Court of his Sublime Majesty the Sultan Mahomet the Fifth."

"Oh, gracious! did you hear that, Jonas? Amurath, Ex-Aga of the Janny-Janny-what-d'-ye-call-ums. What a grand title!"

"Too grand by half. I'm not to be taken in by it," Jonas replied. "I've found him out. Why, you silly thing, don't you perceive it's Captain Juddock?”

"Well, I declare you're right, now I look at him again," Nelly said. “But the Turkish dress and the beard deceived me.'

"I'm not to be so easily taken in," Jonas rejoined. "What the devil can have brought him back, I wonder?" he added to himself.

"Ho! ho! ho!-so you recognise me, eh? my worthy host," the giant roared. "I didn't mean to discover myself to you, or your pretty wife, till I had enjoyed a hearty laugh at your joint expense. But by Allah! I swear I have told you the fact. I am no longer Juddock-but Amurath. I am a Mussulman-one of the faithful." "Then you really are a Turk?" Nelly exclaimed.

"Really and truly, my dear Mrs. Ñ.," the giant replied. "I had some slight scruples at first; but they were overcome, because considerable advantages were to be derived from a change of creed. Amongst these was the privilege of marrying six wives."

"Six wives!" Nelly ejaculated. "How shocking! But surely, you never availed yourself of that wicked privilege ?"

"Didn't I, though. I left six lawful spouses behind me, together with a dozen Georgian, Nubian, and Circassian slaves, composing my hareem, in my hasty flight from Constantinople."

"Oh! the base renegade!" Jonas muttered. "Would that his wives had followed him! They might have kept him quiet."

"But do tell us what took you there?" Nelly said.

"Sit nearer

"Do me the favour to fill my pipe, my dear Mrs. N., and then I will,” the giant replied, handing her the tobacco-pouch, and squeezing her fingers at the same time. "Come and sit beside me," he added, taking up a position on the circular bench, with his legs crossed under him, and inhaling a few whiffs from the pipe. to me, I pray of you. A Turk is always respectful. To begin. After that agreeable and eventful night at Monkbury Place, when I had last the pleasure of seeing you, I repaired next day to Harwich, and finding my friend Captain Culverin of the Hurlothrumbo about to sail for Constantinople, I embarked with him, and duly arrived at the Turkish capital. War, as you know, had just broken out between the Sultan and Elizabeth Petrowna, Empress of Russia. Detesting the latter aggressive and barbarous power, and sympathising with the respectable Ottoman, I entered the service of Mahomet the Fifth, and fought under the banner of the Crescent against the Russians. Need I say I served with distinction? The Czarina, in her thinned hordes, has reason to remember me. Returning to Constantinople, after a brief but brilliant campaign, I was received with great distinction by the Sultan, and speedily rose to high dignities. From a Bey I became a Pasha, and his Sublime Highness offered to make me Aga of the Janissaries. But to this end, it was needful I should embrace the Mahometan faith. I had objections, but they were overcome, and I was appointed leader of the Sultan's body-guard. A beautiful villa was bestowed upon me on the banks of the Bosphorus, where I enjoyed the society of my six wives, and my numerous lovely slaves-and there I might be still-but for an unlooked-for and unfortunate event."

"What was it?" Nelly inquired.

"I must take a few whiff's before I can proceed," Amurath replied. 66 I must cut this part of my story as short as I can. It affects me too deeply. In an evil hour, the Sultan's chief favourite, Budoor, cast eyes of affection upon me. Her charms proving irresistible, a meeting took place between us. Had it ended there, all had been well. But no-we met again and by treachery were surprised. Little mercy was shown us-or rather little mercy was shown poor Budoor. She sleeps beneath the waves of the Bosphorus-I escaped the bowstring by flight."

"If I had been the Sultan, you shouldn't have escaped me," Jonas said. "I'd have given you the sack, as well as Budoor. Poor thing, I pity her. And so you came back with your friend, Captain Culverin, I suppose ?"

"You've hit it exactly. I did," the giant answered. "I got on board the Hurlothrumbo just as the captain was weighing anchor, and after a quick passage to England was put ashore last night at Southend, whence I found my way to Chelmsford-and here I am."

Whatever credit the party round the table might attach to the giant's story, it served to amuse them very much, and on its conclusion, Parson

Bush proposed the health of the Ex-Aga of the Janissaries, which was drunk with cheers and laughter.

Amurath now called for a bottle of cider, and, while the order was being complied with by Tom Tapster, he volunteered a song in return for the compliment paid him-addressing himself chiefly to Jonas.

Cider of Devonshire.

I.

Cider good of Devonshire-
That just now is my desire.

Let the blockheads laugh, who will,
Quick, mine host, the flagon fill

With the admirable juice,

Which the apple-vats produce.

Better 'tis, I will maintain,

Than the stuff you call champagne.
Thirst I feel-and my desire
Is the drink of Devonshire.

II.

Cider fine! thou hast the merit,
With thy lightness and thy spirit,
Not to mystify the brain!
You may fill, and fill again.
Quaff as much as you require
Of the drink of Devonshire.

III.

"Tis the property of cider-
Ne'er to make a breach the wider.

With your friend you would not quarrel

Were you to consume a barrel.
Idle bickering and fooling

Dwell not in this liquor cooling.
Generous thoughts alone inspire
Draughts of dulcet Devonshire.

IV.

Cider sparkling, cider placid,
False it is to call it acid.

To the light you hold the cup,

How the atoms bright leap up!
How the liquid foams and bubbles,
Ready to dispel your troubles!
How its fragrancy invites !
How its flavour fine delights,
As the lip and throat it bites!
Pour it down! you'll never tire
Of delicious Devonshire!

Just as the song was concluded, Tom Tapster appeared, and the cider being poured out, the foaming pot was emptied by the giant at a draught.

Meanwhile, Tom Tapster took the opportunity of saying to his master: "Ben the Waggoner would like to have a word with you, sir, before he goes-about the Turkish gentleman, I believe, sir."

"Oh indeed!" Jonas exclaimed. "I'll come to him directly. Give him a jug of ale, Tom, and bid him sit down for a few minutes, and make himself comfortable. I wonder what he has got to tell me," he mused, as the drawer departed.

Though delivered in an under tone, this communication did not escape the ears of Parson Bush, between whom and the Ex-Aga some sort of understanding seemed to subsist, to judge from the glances they now and then exchanged.

"And now, my worthy host, that I have acquainted you with my adventures, it is but fair you should let me know what has befallen you during my absence," Amurath said. "I presume I may congratulate you upon having obtained the object of your desires. The Flitch has long since been won-and eaten-not a rasher left-eh ?"

"Not exactly won, captain," Jonas stammered out.

"Not won!-Then your claim was refused by the Court Baronha! ha!-By Allah! I thought it would be so."

"Not so fast, captain. No Court Baron has been held since you were here. The Court sits to-morrow, and then my claim will be allowed. Is not that your opinion, my good friends?" Jonas said, appealing to his guests. "Don't you think the decision will be in my favour?"

"No doubt of it," several voices cried. "You're sure of the prize." "Yes, I flatter myself I am," Jonas remarked. "But the captain looks incredulous."

"Captain not me," the Ex-Aga cried. "I'm a captain of captains.

Bismillah! I rank with the Commander-General of the Forces. Now listen to me, Jonas. You're confident of winning. Good. I'll take ten to one you don't."

"I won't bet," Jonas replied. "Nor can I advise any one else to bet with you, because I question your capability of payment. All your money is in the Turkish loan, and that doesn't stand well in the market just now -ha! ha! Besides, there's an old standing bet between us-10,000%. to fifty-that must be settled first."

"By the beard of the Prophet! so there is," the Ex-Aga cried. "I now recollect the wager perfectly. Other matters had put it out of my head. You were to pay me a guinea a week till the claim was made. Let me see, that's twenty-five weeks. I'll trouble you for twenty-five guineas, Mr. Jonas."

Lend me

"We'll talk about that to-morrow," the landlord replied, rather uneasily, on my return from the Court Baron. Fill your glasses, gentlemen-bumpers I beg of you. Ladies, permit me to assist you. Don't stint it. More punch can be brewed when this is done. your ears, and I'll give you a song which I composed, when Nelly and I had completed the term of probation required by our Custom of Dunmow."