they looked on with silence, nor were Mr. Barnaby and his nephew less affected by the appearance of the culprit, and having gazed at him for some time, they fell back to let the crowd pass on, that they might walk with less inconvenience.

"There is something very singular and striking in his appearance," said Mr. Barnaby.

"He seems above his condition," answered Caleb.

"I should like to know what they will do to him," quoth Paul.

"Have we time," inquired Caleb looking at his watch, " to go with him to the magistrates, and hear the charge? The coach does not set off till three o'clock and it's now only eleven."

"Then we have plenty of time," said his uncle;"and we'll go,for really I have a desire to know more of him.'

"So have I," answered Caleb; " therefore we will accompany him to his examination."

This point was accordingly settled, and much to the satisfaction of Paul, who felt an eager curiosity to see him. again, and perhaps a still greater curiosity to see a magistrate, and to hear what he considered as a trial.

As the crowd moved slowly forwards various were the conjectures hazarded. Some thought him a spy, some said he was a highwayman, and some declared he was a magician. "But he has stolen a loaf," said another; " and if he was a magician he need not steal bread, he might conjure into his pocket and walk away with it." "So he might," ob

served a fifth; "as I once lost a sucking pig, which an old witch, who was passing by, conjured away."

"Ah! ah!" interrogated an old feltow with a sly look; "how did you know she was a witch? Did you see her fly away upon a broomstick " "No, I did'nt," answered the other, a

little nettled; "but I saw you just after, so mayhap you stole it."

no more.

This rustic wit tickled the hearers, so that the laugh was completely against the old man, who slunk away and said When he was gone, his conqueror turned round to the rest, and ubserved with manifest exultation," that he was certain she was a witch though, for her nose and chin met, her eyes were red like a ferret's, and she talked to herself as she went along." This definition of a witch completely satisfied his auditors, and several others began to tell some dreary tale of goblins and fairies.

In the middle of this edifying dis course they reached the town, where they proceeded immediately to the house of the magistrate, and our triumvirate, by the help of a shilling, were admitted to the scene of action. After waiting some time in the room,

his worship made his appearance; a little squab man, with curved legs, a purple nose, two grey eyes that glimmered,like a dying candle, in their sockets, and measuring about five feet three. Being seated in his chair of state, with his clerk beside him, he proceeded to business, by inquiring what was the nature of the present charge.

"Please your honor," said one of the constables, "we've nabb'd a thief.”

"Oho, a thief," rejoined the magistrate, whose name was 'Guttle: " then take him to prison; but stop: we may as well know a little more about the matter what has he stolen, and who is the accuser?"

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May it please your reverence," said the baker, stepping forward with the three-penny loaf; " as I was standing in my shop this morning, I seed this here man walking up and down, looking at my loaves as if he wanted one: so I watched him for a bit, and then I catched him snapping at this one: so I

called out to him, and told him to leave it alone, but he did not mind me: he only looked me in the face, and with a horri ble grin walked off with the loaf under

his arm."

"He grinn'd at you, did he?" said the justice.

"Yes, your reverence," replied the baker.

"And while he was grinning at you he walked away with the loaf, eh?"

"No, your reverence: he grinn'd at me first, and then walked off with my bread."

Oh, very well;" rejoined the magistrate; "take that down, Mr. Drivequill," continued he, addressing himself to his clerk; and then, after a pause, allowing him to write the deposition, he bade the baker go on.

"So, your honor, when I saw my loaf was gone, I run out of the shop to stop the thief, but tumbling over a pail of yeast that stood in my way, I hurt my ancle, to such a degree that I could not