"'Why people cry out so ? ' said Sophia, 'they frighten me Don't let them come here, mamma, or carry Minou away,'

"'Certainly,' said I; 'and no right to forbid them his friends distressed at losing him; restore him '

"'Oh, no ! mamma,' said Matilda 'Pray don't give him back; we like him , and his little mammas far happier than with those ugly savages, who tied him up like parcel bark, moss which pricked him ; much more comfortable in my apron How he moves his legs to walk; Sophia teach him Do keep him, mimi '

"Even if I had decided, now too late; the savages had passed on to some distance I, however, explained to Matilda the beauty divine precept, 'Do unto others they should do unto you,' asking her how she liked detained savages, and what, then, the suffering of her own mamma ? She was thoughtful for moment, and then, embracing Minou and me, ' right, mamma mimi; but if she loves her baby, let her come and seek him,' said the little rebel mean time, Sophia out, and returned with some brilliant flowers, fresh rain, they made garlands to dress up the infant 'Oh ! if his mamma saw him, she to him,' said Matilda She then explained to her sister who this mamma was, and Sophia shed tears sorrow poor mother 'But how , mamma, that she was Minou's mother ? ' demanded she This question proved that her judgment was forming, and the opportunity of teaching her what information one may derive from observation She understood me ; and when her on what I had founded my idea, she trembled he brought here by bear, and asked me bear eaten him

"' answer ,' said I, ' pressed by hunger; they tell us, bear does no harm to man unless attacked, especially fond of children But, notwithstanding this, I like to trust it At all events, the poor babe died, found him '

"'Poor babe, he die of hunger now,' said she ' give him some figs; but these good; go and seek some more '

"The rain having ceased, I consented, passing grove, where no fig-trees, to search farther My daughters had fed the child with honey and water; it appeared quite reconciled , and had ceased to cry I judged it about eight months old We soon found some trees covered violet-coloured figs Whilst I gathered them, the girls made pretty bed of moss, adorned with flowers, for their little favourite, and fed him fresh fruit, which he enjoyed much; and with their fair hair and rosy faces, little negro , arch, dark countenance, they formed charming picture, which affected me greatly "

* * * * *

CHAPTER LVI

"We more than an hour under the tree, when I heard cries again; but not alarmed, for I distinguished the voice disconsolate mother, and that comfort her Her grief brought her back spot where she thought her child devoured; she wished, as she afterwards told us, when understand her, to search for some remains of him,--his hair, his bones, or even piece bark that bound him; and here , full of life and health She advanced slowly, sobbing, and her eyes turned ground She was so absorbed in her search, that she see us when we were but twenty yards from her Suddenly, Sophia darted like an arrow to her, took her hand, and said, 'Come, Minou is here '

"Canda neither knew what she saw nor what she heard; she took my daughter for something supernatural, and made no resistance, but followed her fig-tree Even then she recognize the little creature, released bonds, half-clothed, covered with flowers, and surrounded by three divinities, for she took us for such, and wished to prostrate herself She was still more convinced of it when up her son, and placed him in her arms: she recognized him, poor little infant held out his arms to her never express the transport mother; she screamed, clasped her child till half-suffocated, rapidly repeating words which understand, wept, laughed, and was in delirium of delight that terrified Minou He began to cry, and held out his arms to Sophia, who, as Matilda, was weeping sight Canda looked at them with astonishment; she soothed the child, and put him to her breast, which he rejected at first, but finally seized it, mother was happy the opportunity and make her comprehend, great animal had brought him here; that we had found him, and taken care of him; and signs for her me, which she did without hesitation, till we reached the grotto, when, without entering, she fled away with her infant rapidity, impossible to overtake her, and was soon out of sight

"I had some difficulty in consoling my daughters loss of Minou; they thought they him no more, his mother was very ungrateful to carry him off, without even letting them take leave of him They were still weeping and complaining, when we saw the objects anxiety approaching; but Canda was now accompanied by man, who was carrying the child They entered the grotto, and prostrated themselves Parabéry; his countenance pleased and tranquillized us As relation king, distinguished by wearing short tunic of leaves; his body was tattooed and stained with various colours; but not his face, which expressed kindness and gratitude, united with great intelligence He comprehended most signs succeed in understanding him; but saw he meant kindly mean time my daughters had more intelligible conversation with Canda and Minou; they half-devoured the latter with caresses, fed him with figs and honey, and amused him , that scarcely leave them Canda was not jealous preference, but seemed delighted with it; she, in her turn, caressed my daughters, admired their glossy hair and fair skin, and pointed them out to her husband; she repeated Minou after them, but always added another Minou_, and appeared this name beautiful After some words with Parabéry, she placed Minou-Minou in Sophia's arms, both departed, making signs that return; but see them for after Sophia and Matilda had their full enjoyment favourite; they wished to teach him to walk and , assured me making great progress They were beginning to hope his parents had left him entirely, came in sight, Parabéry bending under the weight of two bear-skins, and beautiful piece of matting to close the entrance to my grotto; Canda carried basket on her head filled with fine fruit; the cocoa, the bread-fruit (which they call rima_), pine-apples, figs, and, finally, piece of bear's flesh, roasted fire, which like; but I enjoyed the fruits milk cocoa-nut, Minou-Minou had good share They spread the bear-skins midst grotto; Parabéry, Canda, infant, , took possession of one without ceremony, and motioned our bed other But the bears having only been killed the evening before, these skins had an intolerable smell them comprehend this, and Parabéry immediately carried them off and placed them brook, secured by stones He brought us in exchange heap of moss and leaves, we slept