AN UNHAPPY CAPTIVE 185 



natives who came to the place to trade. On approaching 

 it for the first time, I spoke to it in its own language, 

 using the word for food. It recognized the sound at once 

 and responded to it. As I came nearer, it advanced as 

 far towards me as the string with which it was tied would 

 allow. Standing erect and holding out its hands, it re- 

 peated the sound two or three times. I gave it some 

 dried fish. This it ate with relish, and we at once became 

 friends. Its master permitted me to release it on the con- 

 dition that I should not allow it to escape. I untied the 

 cord and took the little captive in my arms. It put its 

 arms around my neck as if I had been the only friend it 

 had on earth. It clung to me and would not consent for 

 me to leave it. I could but pity the poor, neglected crea- 

 ture. There it was, tied in the hot sun, hungry, lonely, 

 and exposed to the tortures of every heartless native that 

 chose to tease it. When it was not in my arms it fol- 

 lowed me around and would not leave me for a moment. 

 Its master cared but little for it and left it to the charge 

 of his boy, who, like all other natives, had no thought 

 or concern for the comfort of any creature but himself. 

 I tried to purchase it, but the price was too much, and 

 after two days our friendship was broken forever. But 

 I was glad to learn soon after this that another of the 

 traders had secretly released it and let it escape into the 

 forest. The man who did this told me that he did it as 

 an act of mercy. I often recall this little prisoner to 

 mind, and always feel a sense of gladness at knowing that 

 he was set at liberty by a humane friend. Whatever may 

 have been his fate in the forest, it could have been no 



