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 

 acquiied 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 a remarkably 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 to my neck. My 

 faithful dog always lay across my body, ready to 

 give the alarm in case of disturbance from any 



