"Suddenly the tall devil began to sing a hellish round, accompanying himself on the saucepan, which he beat furiously, and all the goblins darted away like lightning--so fast, indeed, that it took them less than a minute to go all the way around the island. My poor late father was so stupefied by the hubbub that he could not remember more than three verses of the song, which ran like this: "Here's the spot that suits us well When it gets too hot in hell-- Toura-loura; Here we go all round, Hands all round, Here we go all round. "Come along and stir your sticks, You jolly dogs of heretics-- Toura-loura; Here we go all round, Hands all round, Here we go all round. "Room for all, there's room for all That skim or wriggle, bounce or crawl-- Toura-loura; Here we go all round, Hands all round, Here we go all round." "My late father was in a cold sweat; he had not yet, however, come to the worst of it." Here José paused. "But I am dying for a smoke, and, with your permission, gentlemen, I'll light my pipe." "Quite right, my dear José," answered D'Haberville. "For my own part, I am dying for something else. My stomach declares that this is dinner-hour at college. Let's have a bite to eat." Jules enjoyed the privilege of aristocratic descent--he had always a magnificent appetite. This was specially excusable to-day, seeing that he had dined at noon, and had had an immense deal of exercise since. CHAPTER III. LA CORRIVEAU. Sganarelle.--Seigneur commandeur, mon maitre, Don Juan, vous demande si vous voulez lui faire l'honneur de venir souper avec lui. Le même.--La statue m'a fait signe. +Le Festin de Pierre.+ What? the ghosts are growing ruder, How they beard me.... To-night--why this is Goblin Hall, Spirits and specters all in all. +Faustus.+ José, after having unbridled the horse and given him what he called a mouthful of hay, made haste to open a box which he had ingeniously arranged on the sled to serve, as needs might be, both for seat and larder. He brought out a great napkin in which were wrapped up two roast chickens, a tongue, a ham, a little flask of brandy, a good big bottle of wine. He was going to retire when Jules said to him: "Come along and take a bite with us, José." "Yes, indeed, come and sit here by me," said Archie. "Oh, gentlemen," said José, "I know my place too well--" "Come now, no affectations," said Jules. "We are here like three soldiers in camp; will you be so good as to come, you obstinate fellow?" "Since you say so, gentlemen, I must obey my officers," answered Jules. The two young men seated themselves on the box which served them also for a table. José took his place very comfortably on a bundle of hay, and all three began to eat and drink with a hearty appetite.