ple belonging to
the gang, in their own language. Nattee did the same, and the whole of
them kissed her hand. The tents, furniture, and the greatest part of
his other property, were distributed among them. Jumbo and Num were
made over to two of the principal men. Timothy, Fleta, and I were also
ready, and intended to quit at the same time as Melchior and his wife.

"Japhet," said Melchior, "there is yet some money due to you for our
last excursion--(this was true,)--here it is--you and Timothy keep but
one purse, I am aware. Good-bye, and may you prosper!"

We shook hands with Nattee and Melchior. Fleta went up to the former,
and, crossing her arms, bent her head. Nattee kissed the child, and led
her to Melchior. He stooped down, kissed her on the forehead, and I
perceived a sign of strongly suppressed emotion as he did so. Our
intended routes lay in a different direction; and when both parties had
arrived to either verge of the common, we waved our hands as a last
farewell, and resumed our paths again. Fleta burst into tears as she
turned away from her former guardians.

PART ONE, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

A CABINET COUNCIL--I RESOLVE TO SET UP AS A GENTLEMAN, HAVING AS
LEGITIMATE PRETENSIONS TO THE RANK OF ONE AS MANY OTHERS.

I led the little sobbing girl by the hand, and we proceeded for some
time in silence. It was not until we gained the high road that Timothy
interrupted my reverie, by observing, "Japhet, have you at all made up
your mind what you shall do?"

"I have been reflecting, Timothy. We have lost a great deal of time.
The original intention with which I left London has been almost
forgotten; but it must be so no longer. I now have resolved that as
soon as I have placed this poor little girl in safety, that I will
prosecute my search, and never be diverted from it."

"I cannot agree with you that we have lost time, Japhet? we had very
little money when we started upon our expedition, and now we have
sufficient to enable you to prosecute your plans for a long time. The
question is, in what direction? We quitted London, and travelled west,
in imitation, as we thought, of the _wise men_. With all deference, in
my opinion, it was like _two fools_."

"I have been thinking upon that point also, Tim, and I agree with you, I
expect, from several causes, which you know as well as I do, to find my
father among the higher classes of society; and the path we took when we
started has led us into