far more
beautiful grotto than the one she had left, and at last she became more
reconciled.

After seven or eight hours' voyage, we arrived at Cape Disappointment,
and we agreed the bay should henceforth be called the Bay of the
Happy Return.

The distance to Tent House from hence was much too great for the ladies
and children to go on foot. My intention was to take them by water to
the other end of the island near our house; but my elder sons had
begged to be landed at the bay, to seek their live stock, and take them
home. I left them there with Parabery; Jack recommended his buffalo to
them, and Francis his bull, and all were found. We coasted the island,
arrived at Safety Bay, and were soon at Tent House, where we found all,
as we had left it, in good condition.

Notwithstanding the description my wife had given them, our new guests
found our establishment far beyond their expectation. With what delight
Jack and Francis ran up and down the colonnade with their young friends!
What stories they had to tell of all the surprises they had prepared for
their mother! They showed them _Fritzia, Jackia_, the _Franciade_, and
gave their friends water from their beautiful fountain. Absence seemed
to have improved everything; and I must confess I had some difficulty to
refrain from demonstrating my joy as wildly as my children. Minou-minou,
Parabery, and Canda, were lost in admiration, calling out continually,
_miti_! beautiful! My wife was busied in arranging a temporary lodging
for our guests. The work-room was given up to Mr. Willis; my wife and
Madame Emily had our apartment, the two little girls being with them, to
whom the hammocks of the elder boys were appropriated. Canda, who knew
nothing about beds, was wonderfully, comfortable on the carpet. Fritz,
Ernest, and the two natives, stowed themselves wherever they wished, in
the colonnade, or in the kitchen; all was alike to them. I slept on moss
and cotton in Mr. Willis's room, with my two younger sons. Every one was
content, waiting till our ulterior arrangements were completed.

CONCLUSION.

I must conclude my journal here. We can scarcely be more happy than we
are, and I feel no cares about my children. Fritz is so fond of the
chase and of mechanics, and Ernest of study, that they will not wish to
marry; but I please myself by hoping at some time to see my dear Jack
and Francis happily united to Sophia and Matilda. What remains for me to
tell? The details of