Fritz had retired, and now came in dragging with difficulty his huge cassowary.

"Here, mamma," said he, "I have brought you a little chicken for your dinner;" and the astonishment and laughter again commenced.

The rest of the evening was spent in plucking the bird, to prepare part of it for next day.

We then retired to rest, that we might begin our labour early next morning.

Ernest chose to remain with his books and his mother, for whom he formed with the mattresses a sort of reclining chair, in which she was able to sit up in bed and sew.