“In all the valleys of Aurancania the apple and pear grow to perfection, and, as with us, those bordering the countries on the north and east are well adapted for the culture of the grape and fruits kindred to the peach. The extracted juice of these had been used as a pleasant and harmless drink. O’Grady, although mistrusted, proposed to make the juice more pleasing in its effects if suitable vessels could be procured. As these were to be made of copper, of which we had an abundance, and were skilled in reducing it for the manufacture of utensils, he was referred to us. Unfortunately, on his way to visit us, he met one of our most ingenious workers of the metals at Muloa, who comprehended the kind of vessels and attachments he wanted. Insisting upon accompanying our brother to oversee his labors, he gave him abundant reason on the way to regret the chance that made him responsible for the stranger’s introduction to our people. On their arrival within the gates of the pass, he would not accept the hospitality provided for strangers, on trial,—outside of our Douang, or walled town of defense, but insisted that he should be received as a guest within. This act of aggressive presumption was firmly but politely opposed by his sponsor, which from his slight stature led to a trial of strength, with a result seriously unfavorable to O’Grady, who was glad to accept assistance from his antagonist and a bed in the strangers’ quarters, which he kept for a month, until a fractured leg and an arm were again serviceable. Nevertheless, he was kindly attended; and after his recovery never attempted to overawe any of our people with threatening overtures provoking personal encounter, having seemingly lost confidence in the accounted advantages of superior size; but the revengeful leer of his eyes boded us ill if the opportunity of exacting it should ever occur. The vessel, with our troublesome visitor, were transported back to Muloa as soon as he was able to travel; he neither offering, or his conductor requiring aught for the labor or material bestowed, other than the desire, on the part of our people, never to see him again. But the hopes entertained that our parting would be final, were void; and in view of the calamity which the heedless fulfillment of our brother’s stipulation wrought upon the friendly Aurancanians, we have questioned whether our own misfortunes were not justly merited.” “Were you aware,” inquired Mr. Welson, “that the vessels your artizans were fabricating were intended for the transformation of a beverage juice into a fiery distillation, that in product would reduce your friends to the condition of enemies to you, by the introduction of ‘civil’ discord into their own households?”