and waving her hand gracefully, said, in a soft voice, "You are
welcome," and then turned to her husband, speaking to him in her own
language, until by degrees they separated from us in earnest
conversation.

She returned to us after a short time, without her husband, and said, in
a voice, the notes of which were indeed soft, but the delivery of the
words was most determined; "I have said that you are welcome; sit down,
therefore, and share with us--fear nothing, you have no cause to fear.
Be faithful, then, while you serve him, and when you would quit us, say
so, and receive your leave to depart; but if you attempt to desert us
without permission, then we shall suspect that you are our enemies, and
treat you accordingly. There is your lodging while here," continued she,
pointing to another hut. "There is but one child with you, this boy
(pointing to Jumbo), who can lay at your feet. And now join us as
friends. Fleta, where are you?"

A soft voice answered from the tent of Nattée, and soon afterwards came
out a little girl, of about eleven years old. The appearance of this
child was a new source of interest. She was a little fairy figure, with
a skin as white as the driven snow--light auburn hair, and large blue
eyes; her dress was scanty, and showed a large portion of her taper
legs. She hastened to Nattée, and folding her arms across her breast,
stood still, saying meekly, "I am here."

"Know these as friends, Fleta. Send that lazy Num (this was Philotas,
the fool), for more wood, and see that Jumbo tends the fire."

Nattée smiled, and left us. I observed she went to where forty or fifty
of the tribe were assembled, in earnest discourse. She took her seat