o not let
Melchior see it in your possession; he may not like me having given it
away." I took the piece of paper containing the present, and having
promised all she required, "This is the last--yes--the very last time
that I may behold this scene," continued Nattee, surveying the common,
the tents, and the animals browsing. "Be it so; Japhet, good-night, may
you prosper!" She then turned away and entered her tent; and soon
afterwards I followed her example.

The next day, Melchior was all ready. What he had packed up was
contained in two small bundles. He addressed the people belonging to the
gang, in their own language. Nattee did the same, and the whole of them
kissed her hand. The tents, furniture, and the greatest part of his
other property, were distributed among them. Jumbo and Num were made
over to two of the principal men. Timothy, Fleta, and I, were also
ready, and intended to quit at the same time as Melchior and his wife.

"Japhet," said Melchior, "there is yet some money due to you for our
last excursion--(this was true,)--here it is --you and Timothy keep but
one purse, I am aware. Good-bye, and may you prosper!"

We shook hands with Nattee and Melchior. Fleta went up to the former,
and crossing her arms, bent her head. Nattee kissed the child, and led
her to Melchior. He stooped down, kissed her on the forehead, and I
perceived a sign of strongly suppressed emotion as he did so. Our
intended routes lay in a different direction, and when both parties had
arrived to either verge of the common, we waved our hands as a last
farewell, and resumed our paths again. Fleta burst into tears as she
turned away from her former guardians.

Chapter XVII

A Cabinet Council--I resolve to set up as a gentleman, having as
legitimate pretensions to the rank of one as many others.

I led the little sobbing girl by the hand, and we proceeded for some
time in silence. It was not until we gained the high road that Timothy
interrupted my reverie, by observing, "Japhet, have you at all made up
your mind what you shall do?"

"I have been reflecting, Timothy. We have lost a great deal of time. The
original intention with which I left London has been almost forgotten;
but it must be so no longer. I now have resolved that as soon as I have
placed this poor little girl in safety, that I will prosecute my search,
and never be diverted from it."

"I cannot agree with you that we have lost time, Japhet; we had