standing by the fool, who was dressed like us, in a
smock frock, and Mr Jumbo, who was very busy making the pot boil,
blowing at the sticks underneath till he was black in the face. Several
of the men passed near us, and examined us with no very pleasant
expression of countenance; and we were not sorry to see our conductor,
who had gone into the hut, return, followed by a woman, to whom he was
speaking in the language of the tribe. "Nattee bids you welcome," said
he, as she approached.

Never in my life will the remembrance of the first appearance of Nattee,
and the effect it had upon me, be erased from my memory. She was tall,
too tall, had it not been for the perfect symmetry of her form. Her
face of a clear olive, and oval in shape; her eyes jetty black; nose
straight, and beautifully formed; mouth small, thin lips, with a slight
curl of disdain, and pearly teeth. I never beheld a woman of so
commanding a presence. Her feet were bare, but very small, as well as
her hands. On her fingers she wore many rings, of a curious old
setting, and a piece of gold hung on her forehead, where the hair was
parted. She looked at us, touched her high forehead with the ends of
her fingers, and waving her hand gracefully, said, in a soft voice, "You
are welcome," and then turned to her husband, speaking to him in her own
language, until by degrees they separated from us in earnest
conversation.

She returned to us after a short time, without her husband, and said, in
a voice, the notes of which were indeed soft, but the delivery of the
words was most determined; "I have said that you are welcome; sit down,
therefore, and share with us--fear nothing, you have no cause to fear.
Be faithful, then, while you serve him; and when you would quit us, say
so, and receive your leave to depart; but if you attempt to desert us
without permission, then we shall suspect that you are our enemies, and
treat you accordingly. There is your lodging while here," continued
she, pointing to another hut. "There is but one child with you, his boy
(pointing to Jumbo), who can lie at your feet. And now join us as
friends. Fleta, where are you?"

A soft voice answered from the tent of Nattee, and soon afterwards came
out a little girl, of about eleven years old. The appearance of this
child was a new source of interest. She was a little fairy figure, with
a skin as white as the driven snow--light auburn hair, and large blue
eyes; her dress was