WEIRD SISTERS. 295 



put it in the fire, thinking in that way to stop maternal 

 jurisdiction. 



Gonga thought no one knew that she had made 

 an end of the " black fingers ; " but her action had been 

 observed, and the taws were recovered, but in a state 

 which disabled them from further use. 



She was sent with a note to the store, and was 

 given a sealed packet to carry back. No comment 

 had been made regarding the lost taws, but the parcel 

 she brought was opened in her presence, and proved to 

 be a new taws ! 



Not one word said Gonga, but she never again 

 interfered with the discipline of the younger genera- 

 tion. 



She was a heathen as far as orthodox religion was 

 concerned, and could never be taught the elements of 

 a creed. Yet her reverence for God and His works 

 was deep and real. 



She would close ears and heart to church-teaching, 

 but was not lacking in the " knowledge that cometh 

 from within." 



The only time I ever remember hearing Gonga utter 

 an aspiration beyond the things of this life, was when 

 some rockets, &c., were being discharged. 



She had never seen fireworks before, and as the 

 brilliant torches, stars, and wheels flew into the dark 

 sky, Gonga called out, " Lord, grant that I may 

 gang up like yon when my time comes ! " 



She had one short and sharp illness, and for a 

 few days we feared the worst. I was sitting with 



