ed to hang it up again, though in this he failed, and the
bottle fell to the ground.

"We cannot afford to give you milk. Master Chico," said David; "but I
will soon cure you of that trick." Saying this, he went to his
medicine-chest, which stood near, and having filled the bottle with
water, put in a little powder, which he shook up. He then returned the
bottle to its usual place.

"Now, take care, Master Chico, what you are about," he observed. "You
are not to touch that bottle, recollect."

Chico looked at the bottle with longing eyes for an instant, then turned
away, as if it was a matter of perfect indifference to him. In a short
time he came down, and began to examine the little stranger, who seemed,
however, in no way pleased with his presence.

"Oh, we will soon make you good friends," said Natty. "I hope we shall
have a happy family before long. Do you know, Andrew, we have already
got several creatures, and have managed to tame many of them, so that
they feed on the hill-side in view of the hut, and come back at night
regularly, for fear of wild beasts."

"Now, boys," said David, "we have talked with Andrew long enough, and I
think we must leave him to Kate's care again. Your chattering is too
exciting, and he has not got strong yet."

"Oh, but we will be very quiet, and merely listen to him, if he is
inclined to talk," said Leo.

"That is the very thing I do not wish him to do," observed David.

"I feel quite strong," I said. "Pray do not send the boys away unless
they wish to go."

However, the doctor was inexorable. While we were speaking, Chico had
stolen back to his corner. Presently I saw Leo eyeing him, and hiding
his face for fear of laughing.

Chico by degrees made his way up to the bottle, and slily unhooking it,
put the spout to his lips and began tugging away with might and main.
Presently casting it from him, with a loud chattering he rushed back to
his corner spluttering and spitting vehemently. Leo now gave way to his
laughter, in which all the party joined. Even Kate could not resist
laughing, nor could I, though my merriment was somewhat faint, I
suspect. Chico looked indignantly at us, as if he did not at all like
being made fun of.

"I told you," said David, holding up his finger, "if you would drink
from that bottle you would repent it."

He now took the bottle, and offered the contents to Leo and Natty, which
they naturally refusing, he emptied it, and washed i