68 BELCONTA. 



a wily, calculating schemer. His son, Belconta, was 

 one of the most intelligent among the tribe, and if he 

 possessed like cunning to his father's, took care to con- 

 ceal it ; he excelled in those exercises which call for 

 efforts of mental power, being, for instance, a skilful 

 charioteer and unrivalled trainer of dogs ; he displayed 

 a greater capability than the rest for acquiring 

 information, and speedily learned many of our words 

 and even sentences : he was a particular favom'ite 

 with some, and upon the whole was generally liked by 

 our party ; nor was he ever included in the suspicions 

 of double dealing which were more than once raised 

 against his parent. 



Belconta was of small stature, light and well- 

 proportioned, with cleanly-cut features, good expres- 

 sion, and clear complexion ; his general aspect was 

 prepossessing, and this was certainly required in the 

 family as a set-off against that of his father, which 

 was decidedly sinister. He played the fiddle, was 

 a constant visitor at the ship, and took an animated 

 part in our diversions, ever showing a disposition to 

 oblige. 



On the return of Messrs. Martin and Simpson from 

 Wootair, whither they had been on a visit, they were 

 accompanied by Metra, of whom I have already 

 spoken, and some of his family. Metra will figure 



