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?" 



" 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 1" cried the lively savage. 



" You have them in your country ?" 



" 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 a loud cry in his own tongue, which 

 had the effect of bringing his companion in a 



