he first
half hour, to carry on the business for him. After six weeks of
uninterrupted success, we returned to the camp which, as usual, was not
very very far off.

PART ONE, CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

IMPORTANT NEWS, BUT NOT COMMUNICATED--A DISSOLUTION OR PARTNERSHIP TAKES
PLACE.

Melchior's profits had been much more than he anticipated, and he was
very liberal to Timothy and myself; indeed, he looked upon me as his
right hand, and became more intimate and attached every day. We were,
of course, delighted to return to the camp, after our excursion. There
was so much continued bustle and excitement in our peculiar profession,
that a little quiet was delightful; and I never felt more happy than
when Fleta threw herself into my arms, and Nattee came forward with her
usual dignity and grace, but with more than usual condescendence and
kindness, bidding me welcome home. Home--alas! it was never meant for
my home, or poor Fleta's--and that I felt. It was our sojourn for a
time, and no more.

We had been more than a year exercising our talents in this lucrative
manner, when one day, as I was sitting at the entrance to the tent, with
a book in my hand, out of which Fleta was reading to me, a gipsy not
belonging to our gang made his appearance. He was covered with dust,
and the dew drops, hanging on his dark forehead, proved that he had
travelled fast. He addressed Nattee, who was standing by, in their own
language, which I did not understand; but I perceived that he asked for
Melchior. After an exchange of a few sentences, Nattee expressed
astonishment and alarm, put her hands over her face, and removed them as
quickly, as if derogatory in her to show emotion, and then remained in
deep thought. Perceiving Melchior approaching, the gipsy hastened to
him, and they were soon in animated conversation. In ten minutes it was
over: the gipsy went to the running brook, washed his face, took a large
draught of water, and then hastened away and was soon out of sight.

Melchior, who had watched the departure of the gipsy slowly approached
us. I observed him and Nattee as they met as I was certain that
something important had taken place. Melchior fixed his eyes upon
Nattee--she looked at him mournfully--folded her arms, and made a slight
bow as if in submission, and in a low voice quoted from the Scriptures,
"Whither thou goest, I will go--thy people shall be my people, and thy
God my God." He then walked away with her: th