his, the party saw a
couple of blacks belonging to a friendly tribe, who occasionally camped
near them, climb to the top, whence they threw down the fruit in
handfuls. Harry and Reginald filled their pockets with some of it,
which they carried home. It was cooked as chestnuts are, but was
pronounced more farinaceous and much nicer to eat.

The party frequently took provisions with them, and enjoyed a picnic in
some beautiful spot while their horses were hobbled near. On one of
these occasions Hector had condescended to accompany them. He and Paul,
with Mr Hayward, were walking some little distance from the rest, when
Hector, not taking an interest in the conversation of his cousin and the
dominie, sauntered away from them. Hector had the habit as he walked
along of pulling off the leaves of any shrub or tree he passed, from
mere thoughtlessness, not with any idea of examining their shape or
character.

"Where's Hector got to?" suddenly exclaimed Paul.

"There he is," said Mr Hayward; then he shouted, "Come back, Hector;
come back! Don't touch those shrubs."

But Hector either did not hear or did not heed the call, and Mr Hayward
and Paul set off to run after him. Presently they heard him shriek out,
and throw down a large leaf like that of a mallow, which he had plucked
from a shrub about fifteen feet in height.

"That's a nettle tree," exclaimed Mr Hayward; "poor fellow! he'll
suffer for it."

They found Hector wringing his hand, and declaring that he had been
stung by a snake. He was somewhat consoled when Mr Hayward and Paul
assured him that he had only by mistake caught hold of a huge nettle,
though he might expect to suffer from its effects for some days to come.
He wanted to run off to a stream near which the party had picnicked, to
cool his hand in the water.

"That will only make matters worse," said Paul; "you must keep your hand
as dry as possible, for every time you wet it the pain will come on
again."

Poor Hector could scarcely refrain from crying out with pain.

"You must grin and bear it, old fellow," said Harry, really wishing to
console him. "When you get home mother will, I dare say, apply some
remedy. We were fortunately warned about catching hold of nettles
before we had your experience; but you'll never do it again."

All the party enjoyed the ride, except poor Hector, who complained
bitterly of the pain he suffered from the stinging-nettle. On their
arrival at home, Mrs Hugh