th their presents, and
appeared to value the mirrors much more than their husbands had done.
They soon understood their use, and employed them to arrange with taste
the strings of beads round their necks, heads, and arms.

At last the signal was given for our departure; I rubbed my nose against
that of the king. I added to my presents a packet of nails, and one of
gilt buttons, which he seemed to covet. I went on board my pinnace, and,
conducted by the good Parabery, we took our way to that part of the
coast where the dear ones resided whom I so anxiously desired to see.
Some of the savages accompanied us in their own canoe; we should have
preferred having only our friend Parabery, but we were not the masters.

Favoured by the wind, we soon reached the shore we had formerly
quitted, and found our excellent missionary waiting for us.

"Come," said he, "you are now going to receive your reward. Your wife
and children impatiently expect you; they would have come to meet you,
but your wife is still weak, and Jack suffering--your presence will soon
cure them."

I was too much affected to answer. Fritz gave me his arm, as much to
support me as to restrain himself from rushing on before. Ernest did the
same with Mr. Willis; his mildness pleased the good man, who also saw
his taste for study, and tried to encourage it. After half an hour's
walk, the missionary told us we were now near our good friends. I saw no
sign of a habitation, nothing but trees and rocks; at last I saw a light
smoke among the trees, and at that moment Francis, who had been
watching, ran to meet us.

"Mamma is expecting you," said he, showing us the way through a grove of
shrubs, thick enough to hide entirely the entrance into a kind of
grotto; we had to stoop to pass into it. It resembled much the entrance
of the bear's den, which we found in the remote part of our island. A
mat of rushes covered the opening, yet permitted the light to penetrate
it. Francis removed the matting, calling--

"Mamma, here we are!"

A lady, apparently about twenty-even years of age, of mild and pleasing
appearance, came forward to meet me. She a clothed in a rob mad of
palm-leaves tied together, which reached from her throat to her feet,
leaving her beautiful arms uncovered. Her light hair was braided and
fastened up round her head.

"You are welcome," said she, taking my hand; "you will be my poor
friend's best physician."

We entered, and saw my dear wife seated o