up the ladle; then, as if somewhat
more assured, he moved to the tent, where he entered into conversation
with the beldame in a low voice. Of their discourse, though I could hear
the greater part of it, I understood not a single word; and I wondered
what it could be, for I knew by the sound that it was not French. At
last the man, in a somewhat louder tone, appeared to put a question to
the woman, who nodded her head affirmatively, and in a moment or two
produced a small stool, which she delivered to him. He placed it on the
ground, close by the door of the tent, first rubbing it with his sleeve,
as if for the purpose of polishing its surface.

_Man_. Now, my precious little gentleman, do sit down here by the poor
people's tent; we wish to be civil in our slight way. Don't be angry,
and say no; but look kindly upon us, and satisfied, my precious little
God Almighty.

_Woman_. Yes, my gorgeous angel, sit down by the poor bodies' fire, and
eat a sweetmeat. We want to ask you a question or two; only first put
that serpent away.

_Myself_. I can sit down, and bid the serpent go to sleep, that's easy
enough; but as for eating a sweetmeat, how can I do that? I have not got
one, and where am I to get it?

_Woman_. Never fear, my tiny tawny, we can give you one, such as you
never ate, I daresay, however far you may have come from.

The serpent sank into its usual resting-place, and I sat down on the
stool. The woman opened a box, and took out a strange little basket or
hamper, not much larger than a man's fist, and formed of a delicate kind
of matting. It was sewed at the top; but, ripping it open with a knife,
she held it to me, and I saw, to my surprise, that it contained candied
fruits of a dark green hue, tempting enough to one of my age. 'There, my
tiny,' said she; 'taste, and tell me how you like them.'

'Very much,' said I, 'where did you get them?'

The beldame leered upon me for a moment, then, nodding her head thrice,
with a knowing look, said, 'Who knows better than yourself, my tawny?'

Now, I knew nothing about the matter; but I saw that these strange people
had conceived a very high opinion of the abilities of their visitor,
which I was nothing loth to encourage. I therefore answered boldly, 'Ah!
who indeed!'

'Certainly,' said the man; 'who should know better than yourself, or so
well? And now, my tiny one, let me ask you one thing--you didn't come to
do us any harm?'

'No,' said I, 'I