on of my father was
such, that he found it impossible to walk, and we had to put him in a
litter to take him to our new habitation. All the worthy people of
Senegal could not contain their indignation against governor S----,
whose inhuman conduct towards our family had been the principal cause of
all our misfortunes. They went to his house, and boldly told him it was
a shame for the Chief of the colony thus to allow an unfortunate family
entirely to perish. M. S----, either touched with these reproaches, or
at last being moved by more friendly feelings towards us, caused
provisions secretly to be sent to our house. We received them under the
persuasion they had been sent by some friend of my father; but having at
last learned they had come from the governor, my father bid me return
them to him. I did not know what to do, for a part of the provisions had
already been consumed; and, besides, the distressed condition to which
we were reduced, made me flatter myself with the thought, that the
governor wished at last to make amends for the wrongs he had done us.
But alas! his assistance was too late; the fatal moment was fast
approaching when my father had to bend under the pressure of his
intolerable sufferings.

CHAPTER XVI.

M. DARD, WHOM CONTRARY WINDS HAD DETAINED TEN DAYS IN THE PORT OF
ST. LOUIS, COMES ON SHORE TO SEE M. PICARD--AGONY OF M.
PICARD--HIS LAST WORDS--HIS DEATH--DESPAIR OF HIS CHILDREN--M.
THOMAS KINDLY TAKES CHARGE OF PICARD'S FAMILY--THE ELDEST OF THE
LADIES GOES AND MOURNS OVER THE GRAVE OF HER FATHER--HER
RESIGNATION--M. DARD DISEMBARKS, AND ADOPTS THE WRECKS OF THE
PICARD FAMILY--M. DARD MARRIES MISS PICARD, AND AT LAST RETURNS
TO FRANCE.

The day after we had taken possession of our new abode, my father sent
me to the Isle of Babaguey, to bring back the things which were left at
the house of the Resident. As I found myself considerably better during
the last few days, I hired a canoe and went, leaving the sick to the
care of Caroline. I soon reached the place of my destination, and
finished my business. I was upon the point of returning to Senegal, when
a wish came into my head of seeing Safal. Having made two negroes take
me to the other side of the river, I walked along the side of the
plantation, then visited our cottage, which I found just as we had left
it. At last I bent my steps towards the tomb of my step-mother, in which
were deposited the remains of my little sister. I seated m