struggle, Hainin dealt his antagonist a few blows with his fist, which deprived him of his wind, and glad to retreat, he left the bearward master of the field. Hairun immediately arose, and bowed to the queen, and, excepting a few scratches in the arms, and a gash in the cheek, from which the blood trickled down his beard, appeared none the worse for the contest. So little, indeed, did he care for it, that without tarrying to recover breath, he opened another cage and brought out a large hyæna, over whom he obtained an easy conquest. At last, having finished his performance to the queen’s entire satisfaction, he stepped to a side-door, and introduced Gog and Xit. The latter was arrayed in his gayest habiliments, and strutting into the centre of the area with a mincing step, made a bow to the gallery that drew a smile to the royal lips, and addressing Hairun, called in a loud voice, “Bring forth Maximilian, the imperial bear, that I may combat with him before the queen.” The bearward proceeded to the cage, and unfastening it, cried, “Come forth, old Max.” And the bear obeyed. Xit, meanwhile, flung his cap on the ground, and drawing his sword, put himself in a posture of defence. “Shall I stand by thee?” asked Gog. “On no account,” replied Xit, in an offended tone, “I want-no assistance. I can vanquish him alone.” “Spare thy adversary’s life,” observed Hairun, laughingly. “Fear nothing,” replied Xit, “the brave are ever merciful.” “True,” laughed Hairun, “I must give a like caution to Max.” And feigning to whisper in the bear’s ear, who was sitting on its hind legs, lolling out its tongue, and looking round in expectation of some eatables, he laughingly withdrew. Seeing that Max paid no attention to him, Xit drew nearer, and stamping his foot furiously on the ground several times, made a lunge at him, screaming—“Sa-ha! sa-ha! sirrah,—to the combat!—to the combat.” Still, Max did not notice him, but kept his small red eyes fixed on the gallery, expecting that something would be thrown to him. Enraged at this contemptuous treatment of his defiance, Xit snatched up his cap, flung it in the bear’s face, and finding even this insult prove ineffectual, began to prick him with the point of his sword, crying, “Rouse thee, craven beast! Defend thy life, or I will slay thee forthwith.”