We then got up, I tied some nuts together by their stems, and threw them over my shoulder Fritz took his bundle of canes, and we set out homewards

* * * * *

CHAPTER IV

Fritz groaned heavily under the weight canes travelled on, and pitied the poor negroes, who had to carry such heavy burdens He then, in imitation of me, tried to refresh himself by sucking sugar-cane, but was surprised he failed in extracting any juice At last, after some reflection, , "Ah ! I remember, no opening made air, get nothing out " I requested him remedy

" make an opening," said he, "above the first knot cane If I draw in my breath in sucking, and thus make vacuum in my mouth, the outer air then forces itself hole this vacuum, and carries the juice along with it; and division cane is emptied, proceed to pierce above the next knot only afraid that going on nothing but empty canes to carry to our friends " him, that more afraid the sun might turn the syrup sour before we got our canes home; therefore not spare them

"Well, at any rate," said he, " filled my flask milk cocoa-nut to regale them "

him I feared another disappointment; milk cocoa-nut, removed shell, spoiled sooner sugar-cane juice I warned him milk, exposed sun tin flask, was probably become vinegar

He instantly took the bottle shoulder and uncorked it; liquor flew out with report, foaming like champaign

I congratulated him new manufacture, and said, beware of intoxication

"Oh, taste, papa ! " said he, " delicious, not at all like vinegar, but capital new, sweet, sparkling wine the best treat, remains state "

" so," said I " first stage of fermentation is over, liquor is cleared, sort of wine, or fermented liquor, more or less agreeable, according material used By applying heat, second, and slower fermentation succeeds, liquor becomes vinegar Then comes on third stage, which deprives it strength, and spoils it , burning climate, carry home only vinegar, or something still more offensive But drink 's health now, but prudently, or soon feel the effects potent beverage " Perfectly refreshed, we went on cheerfully place where we had left our gourd utensils them quite dry, and hard as bone; we had no difficulty in carrying them game-bags We had scarcely got little wood where we had breakfasted, when Turk darted furiously on troop of monkeys, who were sporting about, and perceived him He immediately seized female, holding young one in her arms, which impeded her flight, and had killed and devoured the poor mother before reach him The young one had hidden itself long grass, when Fritz arrived; he had run with all his might, losing his hat, bottle, and canes, but prevent the murder poor mother

The little monkey no sooner saw him than it leaped upon his shoulders, fastening its paws curls, and neither cries, threats, nor shaking could rid him of it I ran him laughing, for the little creature hurt him, and tried in vain to disengage it him carry it thus evident the sagacious little creature, having lost its mother, had adopted him for father

I succeeded, at last, in quietly releasing him, and took the little orphan, no bigger than cat, in my arms, pitying its helplessness The mother appeared as tall as Fritz

reluctant to add another mouth number we had to feed; but Fritz earnestly begged it, offering to divide his share of cocoa-nut milk with it till we had our cows I consented, on condition that care of it, and taught it obedient to him

Turk, mean time, was feasting remains unfortunate mother Fritz driven him off, but we food sufficient to satisfy this voracious animal, and ourselves be in danger appetite

We left him, therefore, prey, the little orphan sitting shoulder protector, while I carried the canes Turk soon overtook us, and was received very coldly; we reproached him cruelty, but quite unconcerned, and continued to walk after Fritz The little monkey seemed uneasy sight of him, and crept into Fritz's bosom, much inconvenience But thought struck him; he tied the monkey with cord to Turk's back, leading the dog by another cord, as very rebellious at first; but our threats and caresses at last induced him to submit burden We proceeded slowly, and help anticipating the mirth little ones, saw us approach like pair of show-men

I advised Fritz not to correct the dogs for attacking and killing unknown animals Heaven bestows the dog on man, horse, for friend and protector Fritz thought we were very fortunate, then, in having two such faithful dogs; he only regretted horses had died passage, and only left us the ass

" not disdain the ass," said I; " we had him here; of very fine breed, and as useful as horse "

conversations, we arrived banks river before we were aware Flora barked to announce our approach, and Turk answered so loudly, terrified little monkey leaped back shoulder protector, and come down Turk ran off to meet his companion, dear family soon appeared opposite shore, shouting with joy at our happy return We crossed same place had done morning, and embraced Then began such noise of exclamations "A monkey ! real, live monkey ! Ah ! how delightful ! How glad ! How did you catch him ? "

" very ugly," said little Francis, who was almost afraid of him

" prettier than ," said Jack; "see how he laughs ! how like him eat ! "

" only had some cocoa-nuts," said Ernest " found any, they good ? "

" had any unpleasant adventures ? " asked my wife

in vain to attempt replying to questions and exclamations

, when we got little peace, them that, though I had brought them all sorts of good things, I had, unfortunately, not met with any companions

"God's ! " said my wife; " thank Him for saving us, and again bringing us together now This day has seemed an age But put down your loads, hear your adventures; idle, but less fatigued than you Boys, assist your father and brother "

Jack took my gun, Ernest the cocoa-nuts, Francis the gourd-rinds, and my wife the game-bag Fritz distributed his sugar-canes, and placed the monkey on Turk's back, amusement children He begged Ernest to carry his gun, but he complained of being overloaded great bowls His indulgent mother took them , and we proceeded tent

Fritz thought Ernest have relinquished the bowls, if he had known what they contained, and called out him they were cocoa-nuts

"Give them ," cried Ernest " carry them, mamma, gun too "

His mother declined giving them

" throw away these sticks," said he, "and carry the gun in my hand "

" advise you not," observed Fritz, " sticks are sugar-canes "

"Sugar-canes ! " cried they all, surrounding Fritz, who had them the history, and teach them the art of sucking the canes