in
the search. But, before going, he advised Betsy Waroonga to keep his
mother company, as women could not be of much use in such work.

"No," said Mrs Waroonga, with decision; "we will go home an' pray."

"Right, that will be better," said Orlando. "You go back with her,
Ebony, and fetch my gun. I left it in Waroonga's house when I went in
for a sack to hold the cocoa-nuts. It is behind the door. You'll find
me searching in the palm-grove. Now, boys, away; we've no time to
lose."

Returning to her house with her sable attendant, poor Betsy rushed into
her private apartment threw herself on her knees and half across her
lowly bed in an agony of alarm.

She was startled and horrified by a sharp, though smothered cry, while
some living creature heaved under the bed-clothes. Instantly she swept
them off, and lo! there lay Zariffa safe and well, though somewhat
confused by her rude awaking and her mother's weight.

"You's keep up heart, missis," said the sympathetic Ebony, looking
hastily into the room in passing; "we's sartin sure to find--"

He stopped. Blazing amazement sat on his countenance for about six
moments--a pause similar to that of an injured infant just preparing for
a yell--then he exploded into a fit of laughter so uncontrollable that
it seemed as if a hurricane had been suddenly let loose in the room,
insomuch that Betsy's remonstrances were quite unheard.

"Oh! missis," he exclaimed at last, wiping his eyes, "I's a-goin' to
bust."

"Yes, an' I'll help you to do it," she replied impatiently, seizing an
old shoe, and laying it on the negro's bare back with a crack like a
pistol-shot.

Ebony strove to calm himself.

"Go 'long, you noisy feller, an' tell Waroonga to stop the search."

It was plain that Ebony had not sufficiently relieved his feelings, for
his broad chest heaved, and ominous sounds came out of his nose.

"On'y tink," said he, "dat you hoed down to say yous prayers on de berry
top ob de babby!"

The thought was too much for him. He exploded again, and, rushing from
the house, ascended the hills, and filled the groves as he went with
hilarious melody.

But he did not find Orlando, who had completed his search of the
palm-grove and passed over the ridge that formed the summit of the
island in that part. It was by no means the highest part, but from it
could be seen a large bay which lay on the side of the island opposite
to the mission village. And here he beheld the c