ration for her, being
convinced that I might search the whole world in vain for a nature more
heroic and devoted."

"And for my part," said Belle, with a sob, "a more quiet, agreeable
partner in a place like this I would not wish to have; it is true he has
strange ways, and frequently puts words into my mouth very difficult to
utter; but--but--" and here she buried her face once more in her hands.

"Well," said the postillion, "I have been mistaken about you; that is,
not altogether, but in part. You are not rich folks, it seems, but you
are not common people, and that I could have sworn. What I call a shame
is, that some people I have known are not in your place and you in
theirs--you with their estates and borough interest, they in this dingle
with these carts and animals; but there is no help for these things. Were
I the great Mumbo Jumbo above, I would endeavour to manage matters
better; but being a simple postillion, glad to earn three shillings a
day, I can't be expected to do much."

"Who is Mumbo Jumbo?" said I.

"Ah!" said the postillion, "I see there may be a thing or two I know
better than yourself. Mumbo Jumbo is a god of the black coast, to which
people go for ivory and gold."

"Were you ever there?" I demanded.

"No," said the postillion, "but I heard plenty of Mumbo Jumbo when I was
a boy."

"I wish you would tell us something about yourself. I believe that your
own real history would prove quite as entertaining, if not more, than
that which you imagined about us."

"I am rather tired," said the postillion, "and my leg is rather
troublesome. I should be glad to try to sleep upon one of your blankets.
However, as you wish to hear something about me, I shall be happy to
oblige you; but your fire is rather low, and this place is chilly."

Thereupon I arose, and put fresh charcoal on the pan; then taking it
outside the tent, with a kind of fan which I had fashioned, I fanned the
coals into a red glow, and continued doing so until the greater part of
the noxious gas, which the coals are in the habit of exhaling, was
exhausted. I then brought it into the tent and reseated myself,
scattering over the coals a small portion of sugar. "No bad smell," said
the postillion; "but upon the whole I think I like the smell of tobacco
better; and with your permission I will once more light my pipe."

Thereupon he relighted his pipe; and after taking two or three whiffs,
began in the following manner.