I signified my approbation, missionary gave them his hand, assuring them that their joy on meeting their friends greatly increased consciousness virtuous self-denial

We soon experienced this Mr Willis learned from Parabéry, were going to fetch their king pretty canoe when we saw it pass The royal habitation was situated other side promontory, and we soon heard joyful cry, saw the canoe coming While the savages were engaged in preparing to meet their chief, I entered the pinnace, and descending beneath the deck, chest what I judged most fitting majesty I chose an axe, saw, pretty, small, ornamented sabre, which do much harm, packet of nails, and one of glass-beads I had scarcely put aside these articles, when my sons rushed in great excitement

"Oh ! father," cried they, at once, "look ! look ! summon all your fortitude; see ! Francis himself canoe; oh ! how curiously dressed ! "

[Illustration: "Two savages took Francis on their shoulders, and two others took the king same way "]

I looked, and saw, at some distance, our canoe ascending the strait; decorated with green branches, which the savages, who formed the king's guard, held in their hand; others were rowing vigorously; chief, wearing red and yellow handkerchief, which had belonged to my wife, as turban, was seated stern, and pretty, little, blooming, flaxen-haired boy was placed right shoulder With what delight did I recognize my child naked above the waist, and wore little tunic of woven leaves, which reached knees, necklace and bracelets of shells, and variety of coloured feathers mingled bright curls; fell over his face, and doubtless prevented him from seeing us The chief seemed much engaged , and continually took some ornament own dress to decorate him " my child ! " said I, in great terror, to Mr Willis, "my dearest and youngest ! taken him mother What her grief ! her Benjamin--the child of her love Why have they taken him ? Why have they adorned him manner ? Why have they brought him here ? "

"Have no fear," said the missionary; " do him no harm I promise you they shall restore him, and you shall take him back mother Place yourselves at my side, branches in your hands "

some from Parabéry, who held bundle , and ; each savages took one also They were from tree which had slender, elegant leaves, and rich scarlet flowers--species of mimosa_; the Indians call it the tree of peace They carry branch of it when no hostile intentions; in all their assemblies, when war is proclaimed, they make fire branches, and if all are consumed, considered an omen of victory

While Mr Willis was explaining this , the canoe approached Two savages took Francis on their shoulders, two others took the king same way, and advanced gravely towards us What difficulty I had to restrain myself from snatching my child bearers, and embracing him ! My sons were equally agitated; Fritz was darting forward, but the missionary restrained him Francis, somewhat alarmed at his position, had his eyes cast down, and yet seen us king was within twenty yards of us, they stopped, and all the savages prostrated themselves before him; we alone remained standing Then Francis saw us, and uttered piercing cry, calling out, "Papa ! dear brothers ! " He struggled to quit the shoulders bearers, but they held him too firmly impossible to restrain ourselves longer; we all cried out, and mingled our tears and lamentations good missionary,--a little too harshly, perhaps,--"Ah ! were father ! "

" ," said he, "the father of all this flock, and your children are mine; answerable for all Command your sons silent; request the child composed, and leave the rest "

I immediately took advantage permission "Dear Francis," said I, holding out my arms, " come to seek you and your mother; after all our dangers, soon meet again, to part no more But be composed, my child, and risk the happiness moment by any impatience Trust in God, and good friend that He us, and who has restored the treasures without which live " We then waved our hands to him, and he remained still, but wept quietly, murmuring our names: "Papa, Fritz, Ernest,--tell me about mamma," said he, at last, in an inquiring tone

"She know so near her," said I "How did you leave her ? "

" grieved," said he, " brought me away; but not done me any harm,-- so kind; and soon all go back to her Oh ! what joy for her friends ! "

"One word about Jack," said Fritz; "how does his wound go on ? "

"Oh, pretty well," answered he; "he has no pain now, and Sophia nurses him and amuses him How little Matilda would weep savages carried me off ! If , papa, how kind and good ! "

I had no time to ask who Sophia and Matilda were They had allowed me to my son to tranquillize him, but the king now commanded silence, and, still elevated shoulders people, began to harangue the assembly middle-aged man, with striking features; his thick lips, his hair tinged with red paint, his dark brown face, which, as his body, was tattooed with white, gave him formidable aspect; yet his countenance was not unpleasant, and announced no ferocity In general, these savages have enormous mouths, with long white teeth; they wear tunic of reeds or leaves waist knees My wife's handkerchief, which I had recognized at first, was gracefully twisted round the head king; his hair was fastened up high, and ornamented with feathers, but he had nearly removed them all to deck my boy He placed him at his side, and frequently pointed him out during his speech on thorns he had concluded, the savages shouted, clapped their hands, and surrounded my child, dancing, and presenting him fruit, flowers, and shells, crying out, Ouraki ! cry king, who was now standing, joined also

"What does the word Ouraki mean ? " said I missionary

" new name of your son," answered he; "or rather son of _Bara-ourou_, who has just adopted him "

"Never ! " cried I, darting forward "Boys, rescue your brother barbarians ! " We all three rushed towards Francis, who, weeping, extended his arms The savages attempted to repulse us; but moment the missionary pronounced some words in loud voice; they immediately prostrated themselves on their faces, and we had no difficulty in securing the child We brought him to our protector, who still remained same attitude he had spoken, eyes right hand raised towards heaven sign savages to rise, and afterwards spoke for What would understood him ! But I formed some idea effect words He frequently pointed , pronouncing the word _éroué_, and particularly addressed the king, who listened motionless to him conclusion speech, Bara-ourou approached, and attempted hold of Francis, who threw himself into my arms, where I firmly held him

"Let him now go," said Mr Willis, "and fear nothing "

I released the child; the king lifted him up, pressed his own nose ; then, placing him ground, took away the feathers and necklace he had decked him, and replaced him in my arms, rubbing my nose also, and repeating several words In my first emotion, I threw myself on my knees, and was imitated by my two sons

" well ! " cried the missionary, again raising his eyes and hands "Thus should you offer thanks to heaven The king, convinced will of God, restores your child, and wishes your friend: worthy so, for he adores and fears your God May he soon learn and believe all the truths of Christianity ! pray together time may come when, shores, where paternal love has triumphed, see temple rise Father of all,--the God of peace and love "

He kneeled down, king and all his people followed his example Without understanding the words prayer, I joined spirit of it with all my heart and soul

I then presented my offerings king, increasing them considerably willingly have given all my treasures in exchange for him he had restored My sons also gave something to each savages, who incessantly cried tayo, tayo I begged Mr Willis the king him my canoe, and hoped use it to visit us island, we were returning He appeared pleased, and wished to accompany us pinnace, which greatly to admire; some people followed him on board to row, the rest placed themselves canoes We soon entered the sea again, and, doubling the second point, we came to an arm sea much wider, and deep enough pinnace, and which conducted us object dearest hopes

* * * * *

CHAPTER LIII

We were never weary with caressing our dear Francis We were very anxious to learn all the particulars arrival savages island, the seizure mother and himself, their voyage, and their residence here, and who were the friends they had met with: but impossible, his tawny majesty never left us for moment, and played boy he child himself Francis showed him all the toys chest; extremely amused small mirrors, dolls painted carriage, driven by coachman who raised his whip wheels turned, appeared miraculous to him He uttered screams of delight as he pointed it out followers The ticking watch also charmed him; and as I had several more, him it, showing him how to wind it up But the first time he tried , he broke the spring, and when silent he cared no longer , but threw it on one side However, gold was very glittering, it up again, and suspending it handkerchief that was wound round his head, it hung over his nose, and formed striking ornament Francis showed him his face in mirror, which royal amusement made him laugh heartily He asked the missionary the invisible and Almighty God who had made all these wonderful things Mr Willis replied, he who gave men the power them know whether Bara-ourou comprehended this, but he remained for in deep thought I profited to missionary what were the words which had terrified them so wished my son from me, and which had compelled them to surrender him ?