ed. And yet they well
knew that, like the palm trees, we could not live without each other,
and were we to be separated, it would be condemning us to die. But our
tears, our prayers, our griefs, were only heard by senseless people,
and we were labouring under the most poignant grief, while no one would
understand or sympathise with our sorrow. I was beginning to lose all
courage, when one morning there came into my mind the pious thought
of offering to the Infant Jesus, in the church of Zebou, the first
pearl I should fish up. I therefore repaired earlier than usual to
the sea-shore, implored the Almighty to grant me his protection, and
to have me married to my beloved Theresa. The sun was just beginning
to dart his burning rays upon the earth, and was gilding the surface
of the waters. Nature was awaking from her transitory sleep, and
every living being or object was singing in its language a hymn to
the Creator.

"With a beating heart I began diving to the bottom of the sea, in
search of the pearl which I so ardently wished for, but my searches
and struggles were completely fruitless at first. Had anyone been
near me at that moment he would have easily read my disappointment
in my face. Nevertheless, my courage failed me not. I began again,
but with no better success. 'Oh, Lord!' cried I, 'thou hearest not
then my prayers, my supplications! Thou wilt not then accept for thy
beloved son the offering that I destine for him.' [14] For the sixth
time I plunged, and brought up from the bottom of the sea two enormous
oysters. Oh! how my heart leaped with joy! I opened one of them, and
found it contained a pearl so large that never in my life had I seen
one like it. My joy was so great that I set to dancing in my pirogue,
as if I had lost my reason. The Lord, then, did vouchsafe to protect
me, since He enabled me to accomplish my vow. With a joyful heart I
retraced my steps to my dwelling, and, not wishing to fail in my word,
I took my magnificent pearl to the curate of Zebou.

"The reverend father," continued the old fisherman, "was delighted with
my present. That pearl was worth 5,000 piasters (or 25,000 francs,
i.e., L1,000 English money), and you must have admired it--you, as
well as all other persons who attend the church--for the Infant Jesus
always holds it in his hand. The curate thanked and congratulated me
on my very good idea.

"'Go home in peace, brother,' said he to me; 'go home in peace. Heaven
will not for