ll more to,
her power and consideration among the tribe, and it was incredible to
what extent, with the means which she possessed, this power was
augmented.

Melchior had no children by his marriage, and, as far as I could judge
from the few words which would escape from the lips of Nattee, she did
not wish for any, as the race would not be considered pure. The
subdivision of the tribe which followed Nattee, consisted of about
forty, men, women, and children. These were ruled by her during the
absence of her husband, who alternately assumed different characters, as
suited his purpose; but in whatever town Melchior might happen to be,
Nattee and her tribe were never far off, and always encamped within
communication.

I ventured to question Melchior about the little Fleta; and he stated
that she was the child of a soldier's wife, who had been brought to bed,
and died a few hours afterwards; that, at the time, she was on her way
to join her husband, and had been taken ill on the road--had been
assisted by Nattee and her companions, as far as they were able--had
been buried by them, and that the child had been reared in the camp.

In time, the little girl became very intimate, and very partial to me. I
questioned her as to her birth, telling her what Melchior had stated;
for a long while she would not answer; the poor child had learned
caution even at that early age; but after we were more intimate, she
said, that which Melchior had stated was _not true_. She could recollect
very well living in a great house, with everything very fine about her;
but still it appeared as if it were a dream. She recollected two white
ponies--and a lady who was her mamma--and a mulberry-tree, where she
stained her frock; sometimes other things came to her memory, and then
she forgot them again. From this it was evident that she had been
stolen, and was probably of good parentage; certainly, if elegance and
symmetry of person and form, could prove blood, it never was more marked
than in this interesting child. Her abode with the gipsies, and their
peculiar mode of life and manners, had rendered her astonishingly
precocious in intellect; but of education she had none, except what was
instilled into her by Melchior, whom she always accompanied when he
assumed his character as a juggler. She then danced on the slack wire,
at the same time performing several feats in balancing, throwing of
oranges, &c. When Melchior was under other disguises, sh