mother and I intend our little guest to
do the same.'

'Have you taken her to see the Treasure Caves?'

'Not yet.'

'They call M. le Marin the Giant of the Treasure Caves because he
discovered them,' smiled Mere Bricolin, rising to go.

Mrs. Wright pressed tea upon her, but she said she must be back before
M. le Cure came home from visiting the sick. He, too, was old, and never
remembered to eat when he was tired, unless she reminded him. Jack
accompanied her down the slope, while Estelle hindered rather than
helped Mrs. Wright to lay the tea. She was wild with delight at the
prospect of seeing a real _fete_. Then, suddenly remembering some such
event in a dim, uncertain way, she paused painfully, saying, 'Have I
ever seen one before, Goody? Where am I? In France? Have I been here
before? How is it I can speak French?'

'It doesn't matter whether you have been here before or not,' returned
Mrs. Wright, glancing uneasily at the flushed face. 'One fair mayn't be
like another, and all you have got to do is to enjoy it. It will not be
Jack's fault or mine if you don't.'

The sailor's return made a diversion, and as they took their places at
the table, he proposed, if little Missie were not too tired, to take her
to see the caves. Child-like, Estelle was only too delighted. Tired! She
had only been in the boat, and had been carried up the steep path on her
return. No, she was not a bit tired.

Mrs. Wright was glad she should go. It was still early in the afternoon,
and some hours of daylight remained. She thought the little expedition
would amuse the child, and occupy her mind. Jack would see that she was
none the worse for it. He was going out all night trawling, and might be
busy for some days to come. It would be a pity not to let Estelle have
this little pleasure while he was there to look after her.

(_Continued on page 230._)

[Illustration: "'Will you tell me about the fair?'"]

[Illustration: "The thing exploded in the air."]

ROUND THE CAMP-FIRE.

V.--SAVED FROM THE MATABELES.

(_Concluded from page 206._)

Those Matabele fellows (said Vandeleur, continuing his yarn on the
following evening) did not allow the grass to grow under their feet.
That very evening as we all sat at supper, the children having gone to
bed, an assegai suddenly flew just over Mrs. Gadsby's head, and struck
quivering in the wall behind her.

Now we had only left a square foot or so of window unboarded, for
purposes