f travelers from the
islands Reunion, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Zanzibar. When the news
spread that on board were children who had escaped from dervish slavery
Stas became an object of general curiosity and universal praise. But
the happy quartette preferred to lock themselves in a great cabin which
the captain gave up to them and spend there the cooler hours in
narrations. Nell, too, took part in them, chirping like a little bird,
and at the same time, to the amusement of all, beginning each sentence
with an "and." So, sitting on her father's knees and raising to him her
beautiful little eyes, she spoke in this manner: "And, papa, they
kidnapped us and conveyed us on camels--and Gebhr struck me--and Stas
defended me--and we came to Khartum and there people died of
hunger--and Stas worked to get dates for me--and we were at the
Mahdi--and Stas did not want to change his religion--and the Mahdi sent
us to Fashoda--and afterwards Stas killed a lion and all of them--and
we lived in a big tree, which is called Cracow--and the King was with
us--and I had a fever and Stas cured me--and killed a wobo and
conquered the Samburus--and was always very kind to me--papa!"

In the same fashion she spoke about Kali, Mea, the King, Saba, Mount
Linde, the kites, and the final journey until their meeting with the
captain's and doctor's caravan. Mr. Rawlinson, listening to this
chirping, checked his tears with difficulty, while Pan Tarkowski could
not contain himself from pride and happiness, for even from these
childish narratives it appeared that were it not for the bravery and
energy of the boy the little one ran the risk of perishing, not once
but a thousand times, without help.

Stas gave a more specific and complete account of everything. And it
happened that during the narration of the journey from Fashoda to the
waterfall, a great load fell off his heart, for when he told how he
shot Gebhr and his companions, he hemmed and hawed and began to look
uneasily at his father, while Pan Tarkowski knitted his brow, pondered
a while, and after that gravely said:

"Listen, Stas! It is not allowable for any one to be lavish with death,
but if anybody menaces your fatherland or puts in jeopardy the life of
your mother, sister, or the life of a woman entrusted to your care,
shoot him in the head and ask no questions. Do not reproach yourself on
that account."

Mr. Rawlinson immediately after the return to Port Said took Nell to
England,