ake charge of
the children, two of whom were still in a dangerous condition. What
changes did I find at our cottage! The person from whom we had hired our
negroes had secretly removed them; rank weeds sprung up everywhere; the
cotton withered for want of cultivation; the fields of millet, maize,
and beans had been devoured by the herds of cattle from the colony; our
house was half plundered; the books and papers of my father taken away.
Old Etienne still remained; I found him cultivating cotton. As soon as
he saw me he drew near; and having inquired if he wished to remain at
the plantation, he replied, "I could stay here all my life; my good
master is no more, but he is still here; I wish to work for the support
of his children." I promised in my turn to take care of him during my
stay in Africa. At last I bent my steps towards my father's grave. The
shrubs which surrounded it were covered with the most beautiful verdure;
their thorny branches hung over it as if to shield it from the rays of
the sun. The silence which reigned around this solitary place was only
interrupted by the songs of the birds, and the rustling of the foliage,
agitated by a faint breeze. At the sight of this sacred retreat, I
suddenly felt myself penetrated by a religious sentiment, and falling on
my knees upon the grass, and resting my head upon the humid stone,
remained a long while in deep meditation. Then starting up, I cried,
"Dear manes of the best of fathers! I come not hither to disturb your
repose; but I come to ask of Him who is omnipotent, resignation to his
august decrees. I come to promise also to the worthy author of my
existence, to give all my care to the orphans whom he has left on earth.
I also promise to make known to feeling hearts all the misfortunes he
experienced before being driven to the tomb." After a short prayer, I
arose and returned to the cottage. To consecrate a monument to the
memory of my father, I took two cocoa-nuts, which he had planted some
time previous to his death, and replanted them beside the grave; I then
gave my orders to Etienne, and returned to the family at Senegal.

Next day M. Dard came to see us at the house of M. Thomas. This worthy
friend of my father, told us he would not abandon in Senegal the orphans
whom he had promised to assist. I come, added he, to return to the
governor the leave he had given me to pass six months in France, and I
charge myself with providing for all your wants till I can c