" under fig-tree, also," said my wife, "that spent four happy years life Unknown to , our fate similar; but henceforward be separated "

Madame Hirtel embraced her kind friend, and observing evening was advanced, my wife, after such agitation, needed repose, we agreed to defer till the conclusion interesting narrative My elder sons and myself followed the missionary hut, which resembled the king's palace_, though smaller; constructed of bamboos, bound together, intervals filled with moss and clay; covered same way, and was tolerably solid mat in one corner, without any covering, formed his bed; but he brought out bear's skin, which he used in winter, and which he now spread ground I had observed similar one grotto, and us hear the history skins , continuation story of Emily, or Mimi_, as she was affectionately called by all We retired to our couch, after prayer from Mr Willis; and first time since my dear wife was taken from me, I slept in peace

* * * * *

CHAPTER LV

We went grotto early morning, and found our two invalids much improved: my wife had slept better, and Mr Willis found Jack's wound going on well Madame Mimi told her daughters breakfast: they went out and soon returned, with native woman and boy of four or five years old, carrying newly-made rush baskets filled with all sorts of fruit: figs, guavas, strawberries, cocoa-nuts, bread-fruit

" introduce you," said Emily, " rest family: Canda, the wife of your friend Parabéry, and their son, _Minou-minou, whom I regard as my own Your Elizabeth is already attached , and bespeaks your friendship follow us Happy Island "

"Oh, if ," said Francis, "what well-behaved boy Minou is ! climb trees, run, and leap, though my friend "

"And Canda," said Elizabeth, "shall be our assistant and friend "

She gave her hand to Canda, the same, and caressed the boy, who seemed delighted with me, and, to my great surprise, spoke in German--the mother, too, knew several words language They busied themselves breakfast: opened the cocoa-nuts, and poured the milk shells, after separating the kernel; they arranged the fruits trunk of tree, which served for table, and did great credit talent instructress

" liked offered you coffee," said Madame Hirtel, "which grows island, but having no utensils for roasting, grinding, or preparing it, useless , and even gathered it "

" , my dear, would grow island ? " said my wife , in some anxiety

I then recollected, first time, how fond my wife was of coffee, which, in Europe, had always been her favourite breakfast There would certainly be ship some bags, which brought away; but I had never thought of it, and my unselfish wife, not seeing it, had never named it, except once wishing we had some to plant garden Now that probability of obtaining it, she confessed that coffee and bread were the only luxuries she regretted I promised and cultivate it island; foreseeing, however, would probably not be best quality, her not expect Mocha; but her long privation delicious beverage had made her less fastidious, and she assured me it treat to her After breakfast, we begged Madame Hirtel to resume her interesting narrative She continued:

" reflections on my situation, which you of last night, I determined only to return sea-shore, when our food failed us woods; but I acquired other means of procuring it Encouraged success fishing, sort of net filaments bark of tree and plant resembling hemp I succeeded in catching some birds: one, resembling our thrush, was very fat, and of delicious flavour I had the greatest difficulty in overcoming my repugnance to taking away their life; nothing but the obligation of preserving our own reconciled me My children plucked them; I then spitted them on slender branch and roasted them fire I also found some nests of eggs, which I concluded were those wild ducks which frequented our stream myself acquainted with all the fruits which the monkeys and parroquets eat, and which out reach sort of acorn which had the flavour of nut The children also discovered plenty of large strawberries, delicious repast; and quantity of honeycomb hollow of tree, which I obtained by stupifying the bees with smoking brand

" care to mark down every day blank leaves pocket-book I had now marked thirty days wandering life border river, for I never strayed beyond the sound waters Still I kept continually advancing towards the interior island I had yet met with nothing alarming, weather most favourable; but we long to enjoy this comfort The rainy season came on: and one night, to my great distress, I heard it descend in torrents We were no longer under our fig-tree, which sheltered us for considerable time The tree under which we now were had tempted me by having several cavities roots, filled with soft moss, which formed natural couches, but the foliage was very thin, and we were soon drenched completely I crept near my poor children to protect them little, but in vain; our little bed was soon filled with water, and we were compelled to leave it Our clothes were so heavy rain that scarcely stand; night was so dark that we no road, and ran the risk of falling, or striking against some tree, moved My children wept, and I trembled for their health, and own, so necessary terrible nights pilgrimage My children and I knelt down, and I prayed to our Heavenly Father for strength to bear this trial, his will it consolation and strength from my prayers, and rose with courage and confidence; and though the rain continued unabated, I waited with resignation the pleasure Almighty I reconciled my children to our situation; and Sophia told me she had asked her father, who was near the gracious God, to entreat Him to send no more rain, but let the sun come back I assured them God forget them; they began accustomed rain, only Sophia begged take off their clothes, and then it like bath brook I consented , thinking less liable to suffer than by wearing their wet garments

"The day began to break, and I determined to walk on without stopping, to warm ourselves motion; and some cave, some hollow tree, or some tree with thick foliage, to shelter us the next night

"I undressed the children, and made bundle clothes, which carried myself, but they too heavy , and I judged it best to accustom them early difficulties, fatigue, and labour, which their lot; and to attend entirely on themselves; I, therefore, divided the clothes into two unequal bundles, proportioned strength, and having made knot in each, I passed slender branch through it, and showed them how to carry it on their shoulders

"When them walking before me savage fashion, with their little white bodies exposed storm, refrain from tears I blamed myself for condemning them to such an existence, and thought of returning shore, where some vessel might rescue us; but we were now too far off to set I continued with much more difficulty than my children, who had nothing on but their shoes and large hats I carried the valuable box, I had placed the remains last night's supper, an act of necessary prudence, neither fishing nor hunting now

" day advanced, the rain diminished, and even the sun appeared above the horizon

"'Look, my darlings,' said I, 'God has heard us, and sent his sun to warm and cheer us thank him,'

"'Papa has begged it of him ! ' said Matilda 'Oh ! mamma, pray him to send Alfred back ! '

"My poor little girl bitterly regretted the loss of her brother Even now scarcely hear his name without tears savages brought Francis , she at first took him for her brother 'Oh, how grown in heaven ! ' cried she; and, after she discovered not her brother, she often said to him, 'How was Alfred ! '