178 A TOUCHING TALE.

latter there are some details of peculiar interest,
occasioned by the sympathy awakened on behalf of
the simple-minded, self-sacrificing man, who tells
the touching tale of his labours and sufferings.
After clearing and planting the land in order to
procure themselves the necessaries of life, the
Brethren endeavoured to lessen the expenses of
the mission by making collections of shells, ser-
pents, insects, and other natural curiosities, for
which there was a ready sale in various parts of
Europe. At one time Haensel especially devoted
his attention to this occupation; and though pos-
sessing no previous acquaintance with natural
history, he by constant practice and experience
acquised considerable skill as a collector. During
his frequent excursions along the sea-coast, it
sometimes happened that the solitary wanderer
was benighted, and could not reach his dwelling;
but in such a case he was never at a loss for a bed.
“The greater part of the beach,” he tells us, ‘‘con-
sisted of aremarkably fine white sand, which above
high-water mark was perfectly clean and dry. Into
this I dug with ease a hole large enough to contain
my body, forming a mound as a pillow for my
head. I then lay down, and, by collecting the sand
over me, buried myself in it up tomy neck. My
faithful dog always lay across my body, ready to
give the alarm in case of disturbance from any