m the ceiling hung curious stuffed animals, skulls, bones,
dried plants, and other objects of natural history, in what, I had no
doubt, seemed to the occupant perfect order, but which was somewhat
incomprehensible to us. When dish after dish was put on the table, Frau
Ursula lifted up her hands with astonishment.

"You do live like a prince, Mr Sedgwick," she observed. "What kind
fairy sends you all these good things?"

"I won them with my own arm, with the assistance of my faithful man
Tanda here--or, as these young people seem inclined to call him, Friday;
and I hope you will show your gratitude to the kind Providence which
gives them, by doing justice to them."

As dish after dish was brought up, the astonishment of all the party
increased.

"Surely, uncle, you must have some fairy cook to prepare all these good
things," said Emily.

"I confess without the aid of Tanda they could not be produced," he
answered. "I am greatly helped by him, though occasionally I have given
a hint or a little assistance. And now let us drink each other's health
in this palm-wine," he said, producing a very nice-looking liquid from a
huge shell.

Our plates, I should have said, were flat shells; while our cups were
made of bamboo, as were our knives and forks.

"I must introduce you to my menagerie to-morrow morning," observed my
uncle. "There is not time to-night--indeed, some of my pets have
retired to their lairs or gone to roost. If you hear strange noises at
night, don't be alarmed; as possibly some of them may be inclined to
utter their natural cries during the night."

Our conversation was altogether very lively; as we, of course, had a
great deal to tell our uncle, and were also greatly interested by the
account he gave of his expeditions, and the way in which he had lived on
the island since he had been deserted. Sometimes he had thought of
building a vessel and making his way to some civilised port; but the
want of proper tools for cutting down large timber, and his ignorance of
nautical affairs, deterred him.

"I thought it was as well to leave well alone," he said. "I have here
plenty of provisions; and I thought I could study natural history, which
brought me here; and that, some time or other, some vessel would call
and take me away. Had you, Walter and Emily, not come, however, I
rather think my heart would have failed me even at the last moment, and
I could scarcely have made up my mind to quit my soli