11^2. Se/iico, a tale. "it") 



trefs still augmented. The poor mother continually suf- 

 faring upon a bed of dried leaves, never complained, but 

 was declining very fast : her sons, worn out with hunger, 

 could no longer go into the woods, which were now un- 

 der water : they set traps for small birds, and, when they 

 took any, which was very seldom, they carried it to their 

 mother, and gave it her with a forced smile \ but the mo- 

 ther scarce would eat it, because fhe could not make her; 

 sons partake of it. 



Three months pafsed without bringing any change- 

 to their miserable situation. The three brothers obliged 

 at last to come to some determined resolution, consulted 

 together unknown to Darina. Guberi proposed first that 

 they ftiould go to the coast, and that one of them (hould' 

 be sold to the first European factory, in order to buy 

 bread, niaize, instruments of agriculture, and every thing 

 necefsary tii support their aged parent. A melancholy 

 silence was the answer of the two brothers. To sepa- 

 rate, — to quit cash other for ever, — to be the slave of 



white men I That idea distracted them. " Who wilt 



be sold ?" cried out Teione, with a doleful voice. " For- 

 tune fiiall determine it j" answered Guberi •, " Let us 

 . throw three different sized stones into this pitcher of 

 muddy water, — fhake it well, — and he who draws out 

 the smallest (hall be the unfortunate person. No bro- 

 ther, interrupted Selico. fortune has already determined^ 

 It is me who am the unfortunate person j — you have forgot 

 then that I have lost Berifsa, and that you alone hindered 

 me from dying, by telling me 1 fhould be useful to my 

 mother : now is the time, perform your promije, and sell 

 me. Guberi and Telone endeavoured, but in vain, to op- 

 pose the generous offer of their brother: Sdico was deaf 

 to their prayers, refused to draw lots, and threatened to 

 g^ alone to the factory, if they obstinately persisted in re- 

 fusing to accompany jiim. 'Ihe two eldest at last conscB" ' 



