REFORMED SAVAGES. 63

from which we had retreated to make him room.
He would by no means displace us, and we resumed
our seats. His companion, who was younger, was
plainly of an inferior grade. He appeared lively
and in health, while there was an aspect of suffer-
ing and reserve about the chief which interested
us more in him. How to amuse them? We
pointed to the snow, which was falling fast, and
inquired, “Have you seen snow before you came
to England P”

“Oh! yes,” said the young one, ‘at the Cape,
snow came—sunshine—puff !—all gone !”

We then produced a hamper containing a kitten,
and opening the lid, placed it on the hearth-rug,
when the animal emerged.

“Puss!” cried the lively savage.

“You have them in your country ?”

“OQ yes, madame.”

But the chief was uninterested, and we wanted
to see him stirred. At length I remembered
Peron’s “‘ Voyage aux ‘Terres Australes,” and has-
tening to fetch it from my father’s bookshelves,
laid it on the table, and opened it at the picture
of the young chieftain of New Holland, Nourou-
gal-dirri, “‘s'avangant pour combattre.” The mo-
ment he cast his eyes on this picture, the junior
savage uttered aloud cry in his own tongue, which
had the effect of bringing his companion in a