The driver was a French soldier, quite advanced in life. He spoke English well, and seemed to enjoy giving the largest possible information to his seat companions. "Yes, there are some wild animals left in the forest," he said,--"of the harmless kind. _Wild people_ have sometimes been found in the largest tracts of forest." "Wild people?" asked Tommy, his curiosity greatly excited. "Did you ever see a wild man?" "No, not myself. Did you ever hear of Peter the Wild Boy found in the woods in Hanover?" "Yes," said Tommy. "There was a wild girl found in the French woods, not far from Paris, about the same time." "Will you not tell us the story?" asked Tommy. The diligence lumbered along among the cool forest scenery, between the walls of green trees which now and then, like suddenly opened windows, afforded extended views; and the good-natured, well-informed driver told the two boys the story of THE WILD GIRL OF SONGI. "In the year 1731, as a nobleman was hunting at Songi, near the ancient and historic town of Chalons, on the river Champagne, in France, he discovered a couple of objects at a distance in the water, at which he fired, supposing them to be birds. "They immediately disappeared, but arose at a point near the shore, when they were found to be two children, evidently about a dozen years of age. "They carried to the shore some fish that they had caught, which they tore in pieces with their teeth and devoured raw, without chewing. "After their meal, one of them found a rosary, probably lost by some devotee, with which she seemed highly delighted. She endeavored to conceal it from her companion, but the latter made the discovery, and, filled with rage and jealousy, inflicted a severe blow on the hand containing the treasure. The other returned the blow, striking her companion on the head with a heavy missile, and bringing her to the ground with a cry of pain. "The sisters, for such they probably were, parted. The one most injured went towards the river and was never seen or heard of afterwards. The other hurried off towards the hamlet of Songi. "She was a strange and frightful-looking creature. Her color was black, and her only clothing consisted of loose rags and the skins of animals. The people of Songi fled to their houses and barred their doors at the sight of her. "She wandered about the place, greatly to the terror of the villagers, but at last some adventurers determined to set a dog on her. She awaited the attack coolly, but as soon as the monster came fairly within her reach, she dealt him such a blow on the head as laid him lifeless on the spot. "The astonished peasants kept at a safe retreating distance, not wishing a personal encounter with such a creature. She endeavored to gain admittance to some of the houses, but the quaking occupants, who seem to have fancied that the evil one himself had made his appearance, securely fastened their doors and windows.