"Father, canoe ! canoe ! "

"Alas ! not ours ? " , rushing shore, where, indeed, beyond the reefs canoe, floating lightly, apparently filled islanders, easy to distinguish from their dark complexion This canoe resemble ours; longer, narrower, and seemed composed of long strips of bark, quite rough, tied together at each end, which gave somewhat of graceful form , though it evidently belonged infancy art of navigation almost inconceivable how these frail barks resist the slightest storm; but these islanders swim , that even canoe fills, they jump out, empty it, and take their places again When landed, men take up the canoe and carry it habitation This, however, appeared provided with out-riggers, to preserve the equilibrium, and six savages, with sort of oars, made it fly like the wind When it passed the part island where we were, we hailed it as loudly as ; the savages answered by frightful cries, but showed no intention of approaching us or entering the bay; contrary, they went on with great rapidity, continuing their cries I followed them with my eyes as far as in speechless emotion; for either my fancy deceived me, or I faintly distinguished form of fairer complexion dark-hued beings who surrounded him--features or dress I ; whole, vague impression, that I trembled alike or to doubt Ernest, more active than I, had climbed sand-bank, and, telescope, had commanded better view canoe He watched it round point of land, and then came down almost agitated as myself I ran to him and said--

"Ernest, your mother ? "

"No, papa; certain not my mother," said he "Neither Francis "

Here silent: cold shuddering came over me

"Why silent ? " said I; "what ? "

"Indeed, papa, distinguish nothing," said he, "even telescope, they passed so quickly Would were my mother and brother, then they were living, and might follow them But thought strikes me: free the pinnace, and sail canoe go quicker than they sail; overtake them behind the cape, and then be satisfied "

I hesitated, lest my sons should come back; but Ernest represented that we were only fulfilling the wishes of Fritz; besides, return in short time; he added, that soon disencumber the pinnace

"Soon," cried I, "when two hours in covering it "

"Yes," said he; "but we had dozen journeys trees then; it ready in half an hour "

I assisted him as actively as , though not with good heart, for uneasy about abandoning my sons given worlds them arrive before our departure; their assistance, of much consequence pinnace, and they were safe I often left off my work glance interior island, hoping them Frequently I mistook the trees twilight, now coming on, for moving objects At last, not deceived, distinctly figure walking rapidly

" here ! " I cried, running forward, followed by Ernest; and we soon saw dark-coloured figure approaching I concluded savage, and, though disappointed, was not alarmed, as alone I stopped, and begged Ernest to recollect all the words he had met with books, language savages The black man approached; and conceive my surprise when I heard him cry, in my own language--

"Don't be alarmed, father, I, your son Fritz "

" possible," said I; "can I believe it ? and Jack ? What done with my Jack ? Where is he ? Speak . . "

Ernest ask Alas ! too well; he had seen telescope his dear brother Jack that was canoe savages; but he dared me in agony Fritz, harassed with fatigue, and overwhelmed with grief, sunk down ground

"Oh father ! " said he, sobbing, "I dread to appear without my brother ! lost him ever forgive your unfortunate Fritz ? "

"Oh yes, yes; all equally unfortunate," cried I, sinking down beside my son, while Ernest seated himself other side to support me I then besought Fritz me savages had murdered my dear boy He assured me that not killed, but carried off savages; still he hoped safe Ernest then told me he had seen him seated canoe, apparently without clothes, but not stained black as Fritz was

"I earnestly wish he ," said Fritz; I attribute my escape But truly thankful to God that seen him, Ernest " have the monsters gone ? "

Ernest pointed out the cape, and Fritz was anxious that embark without delay, and endeavour to snatch him

"And learned nothing of your mother and Francis ? " said I

"Alas ! nothing," said he; "though I recognized handkerchief, belonging to dear mamma, head of savage tell you all my adventure go You forgive me, dear father ? "

"Yes, my dear son," said I; "I forgive and pity you; but sure my wife and Francis island ? "

" ," said he " the island is entirely uninhabited; no fresh water, nor game, and no quadrupeds whatever, but rats and kangaroos; but plenty of fruit filled my bag with bread-fuit, all need: go "

We worked so hard, that in quarter of an hour the branches were removed, pinnace ready to receive us The wind was favourable for carrying us towards the cape the savages had turned; we hoisted our sail, my place helm; the sea was calm, moon lighted our way After recommending ourselves protection of God, I desired Fritz to commence his melancholy recital

" melancholy, indeed," said the poor boy, weeping; "if find my dear Jack, never forgive myself for not having stained his skin before my own; then he now--"

"But I , my dear son, to console your father," said I " do nothing myself, in my sorrow I depend on you, my two eldest, to restore what lost Go on, Fritz "

"We went on," continued he, "with courage ; and proceeded, that you were right in saying we ought not to judge island borders form no idea fertility island, or beauty trees and shrubs we met with at every step, quite unknown ; some were covered with fragrant flowers, others with tempting fruits; which, however, venture to taste, Knips them "

"Did any monkeys ? " asked Ernest

"Not one," replied his brother, " great vexation of Jack; but we saw parrots, and all sorts of birds most splendid plumage Whilst we were remarking these creatures, neglect to look carefully about for any trace that might aid our search no hut, no sort of dwelling, nor anything that could indicate island was inhabited, and not the slightest appearance of fresh water; and we tormented with thirst found some cocoa-nuts containing milk, and an acid fruit, full of juice, which own island--Ernest calls it the carambolier_; we quenched our thirst , as plant, which we also have, and which contains water stem The country is flat and open, and its beautiful trees stand at such distance from , that no one could hide amongst them But if no dwellings, we often discovered traces savages,--extinguished fires, remains of kangaroos and of fish, cocoa-nut shells, and even entire nuts, which we secured for ourselves; we remarked, also, footmarks sand We both wished anxiously to meet with savage, that endeavour him comprehend, by signs, whom we were in search of, hoping that natural affection some influence even untaught creatures only fearful that my dress colour skin might terrify them mean time, Jack, usual rashness, had climbed summit of tallest trees, and suddenly cried out, 'Fritz, prepare your signs, the savages are landing Oh ! what black ugly creatures , and nearly naked ! you ought to dress yourself like them, friends stain your skin ,' throwing me down branches of sort of fruit of dark purple colour, large as plum, with skin like the mulberry ' tasting them, very nauseous, and stained my fingers black; rub yourself well juice fruit, and perfect savage,'