had been the principal cause of my illness, as well as that of my
brothers. In the meanwhile, my father built two new huts in the island,
with the intention of going and living there with all his family. But,
as his affairs kept him yet some days at Senegal, he was prevented from
returning to Safal with the children to continue the collecting of
cotton. On the morrow, we all three set off. When we had arrived upon
the Marigot, in the island of Babaguey, we hailed the keeper of our
island to come and take us over in his canoe. In the mean time I amused
myself in looking at our habitation, which seemed to be very much
embellished since my departure, as it had been augmented with two new
cottages. I discovered the country to be much greener since I last saw
it; in a word, all nature seemed smiling and beautiful. At last Etienne,
to whom we had been calling for a quarter of an hour, arrived with his
canoe, into which we stepped, and soon were again in the island of
Safal.

Arrived at my cottage, I began to examine all the changes my father had
made during my illness. The small cottage situated to the west, I chose
as my sleeping apartment. It was well made with straw and reeds yet
green, and the window, whence was seen the cotton-field, was of the
greatest advantage to me. I began to clean the floor of our apartments,
which was nothing else than sand, among which were various roots and
blades of grass. After that I went to visit the little poultry yard,
where I found two ducks and some hens placed there a short while before.
I was very glad of these little arrangements; and returned to the
principal cottage to prepare breakfast. After this we betook ourselves
to the business of cotton gathering.

Eight days had already elapsed since our return to the island of Safal,
when one morning we perceived our shallop upon the river, which we
always knew by a signal placed upon the mast-head. It was my father, who
brought twelve negroes with him, which he had hired at Senegal, for
assisting him in the cultivation of his island. The men were instantly
set to break up the soil; the women and children assisted us in
gathering cotton. My father then dismissed the negroes, who worked by
the day, as he had to come and go to Senegal, where the urgency of his
business yet required his presence.

I remained a long while without seeing him; but, at the end of eight
days, I was agreeably surprised at finding our boat in the little bay of
Ba