In the year 1871 we settled in Sagameiti. On the 23d of January I went into the desert to rest and pray for a time. After walking nearly an hour I reached a shady place and sat down to rest a little. I sat down at the foot of an immense tree and began to pray my Breviary. In a short time I fell asleep. When I awoke what was my horror to find that it was night and pitch dark. A dense fog covered the earth, so that I could dis

cern nothing around me. Remaining over night. meant to expose myself to being torn by wild animals. At once I started to reach our dwelling, un conscious of the dangers I might meet. In spite of all care I badly cut up and bruised my hands and knees in climbing over the rocks, or bumping my head against the trees. I often fell or rolled in the ditches along the path which I had taken. Still, hoping to arrive home safely, I continued on my way. Some

times I paused to

listen if I could hear anything which would be a clue or guide to me. Silence reigned on every side. Anxious to learn how far I was from the village I shouted three times, loudly, for help, as is a custom of the Abyssinians. The

only answer I received was the echo of my own voice.

Probably I had taken the wrong direction. Instead of going homeward I was wandering deeper and deeper in the desert, which separates the Abyssinian Plateau from the Red Sea. So during most of the night and the following day I wandered

around, nearly fainting from hunger, thirst and exhaustion.

Toward evening I discovered the ruins of two shepherd huts. I decided to rest in one of them over night. This hut was about two meters long and one and a half meters high. A thorn hedge was around the hut, which was undoubtedly meant to

I do?

from him? He

could reach me

with one bound.

prayer I fell asleep. About 3 o'clock in the morning I awoke, hearing a rattling among the dry cactus plants which surrounded the hut. It was a deadly poisonous serpent. In a few moments it was upon the highest posts of the hut. I thought it best to remain quietly in my place, watching the movements of my dangerous opponent. I was armed only with

a good strong stick. Suddenly it dashed toward me. I turned aside and with a loud rattle it fell upon the floor. I struck blindly in the darkness. It quickly slipped past my feet and again threatened me. In the sitting position I could not reach the serpent with my stick, and in standing I ran the risk of being stung with its poisonous tongue. To change my position would be useless, as the danger remained unchanged. To leave the hut was but to expose myself again to the

blood thirsty leopard. At this time the serpent coiled itself and seemed to be measuring the distance. Once

more it dashed toward me, but did not hit me. Trembling with terror 1 struck in all directions without hitting it. With one bound it jumped over me, taking its former place to dash again upon me. My position was a very critical one for about a half hour. At last, tired of fighting in the dark with an unseen foe, which might any moment overcome me, I resolved to beat it to death.

When the serpent was again on the floor I struck it as fast and hard as I was able. Thanks be to God, the serpent took flight and I was victorious.

At daybreak I left the hut and tried to quench my thirst with the dew that had collected

upon the plants.

This, however, was not sufficient for my burning tongue. Then I climbed a high mountain. It was midday when I reached its summit. I looked in all directions, but could not discover my whereabouts. I looked in vain for water in the river-beds, as they were all dry. The intense heat of the tropics, together with the hunger, thirst and fatigue, overcame me, depriving me of all courage. Not far off

I found a deep ditch. Submitting to my fate I descended and laid down in the ditch. My only thought was that the ditch should be my grave. I intended to lay my head upon a rock, cover myself with some branches and await the moment of death. After lying irresolute for some time I remembered how wonderfully God had saved me from the leopard and serpent. Attributing my wonderful

preservation to the powerful protection of my

mother, the Blessed Virgin, I was filled with new hope. With firm confidence in the help of our heavenly Mother, I arose. After a short prayer I looked around and soon found a drink of water upon a leaf of a mighty aloe. I would not have given these precious drops for the riches of the whole world. Thanking God for His merciful providence I went down the mountain to spend another night in a deserted hut. The next day I discovered at the top of a high hill a small spring, where I quenched my thirst and was filled with new life. As many herbs were growing a round that could serve me as food I resolved to remain here, spending my time. in prayer as long as God willed it.

At the moment I knelt down to say a fervent prayer I heard several voices singing a I shouted as loud

popular song in the distance. as I could, calling for help. Everything being silent I feared that I had been deceived.

After a few moments I saw six men, inhabitants of Sagameiti, on their way home. I ran to meet them, and in their company and under the protection of Almighty God arrived safe in Sagameiti.

C

OULD anything more unfortunate have happened? In a few days our annual family reunion dinner was to take place with its enormous amount of work, and just now, only a few days before, I had to let my servant, Nina, go to nurse her sick father, whose only child she was. I did not know what to do; to put everything in order alone without a servant and do all the cooking besides, that was simply impossible. And only three days separated us from that great day. I went to see all my acquaintances and friends from A to Z to find advice. or assistance somewhere

if possible, or to get from them the loan of a maid for a few days. But none could help me, though they all promised to be on the lookout for me as much as possible.

8

I

And that was all that came of it. Two days had already passed and I lost all courage, when on the morning of the day itself. about o'clock, there was a loud ring at the door. opened it and found myself face to face with the most peculiar creature I had ever met in my life. Imagine a long, lanky, thin person, as straight as a beanpole, with a face disfigured by smallpox, eyes as large as saucers, on her head a hat with feathers of the most glaring hues, and the whole figure wrapped in a checkered

dress. She made low bows over and over again, and finally asked whether she had the honor of addressing Mrs. Schwanenberg. Upon my telling her that she had and upon asking her what I could do for her, she bowed again and replied:

"You see, madam, I have heard that you are longing for a serviceable individual who would be willing to share with you the toilsome and difficult responsibility of this day, and I have come to offer you my willing hands and feet, which you may dispose of at your pleasure."

And all this under continuous bowing and scraping, with solemn gestures, a lugubrious countenance and in a high-pitched, shrill voice. I don't know what feeling came over me, listening to this harangue which seemed to fit more the mouth of an

full justice to the wishes of this distinguished family, assured me that she would accompany me and my husband like a zephyr upon our thorny path of life, and was willing to give up her life and devote the last breath of her dying swan song in the defense of our life and honor. As to wages she was not particular, being happy

to have occasion to offer her willing and helping hands to such an amiable lady, etc., etc.

Not without misgiving, but forced by circumstances, I engaged her services. With slow and measured steps, like a drum-major in front of a regiment, she led the way to the kitchen, put down her sun-shade, hat and wrap and commenced immediately to put things straight here and there. I looked on and noticed with satisfaction that she worked well and handled everything skillfully. More comforted by her actions, and after giving her some further directions in regard to the dinner, I left the kitchen to make further preparations for the feast. In the turmoil of the day I had not thought of Zephyra for quite a while, but now becoming curious to know how she hehaved in her new position, I went to the rear of the house and looked through a little window into the kitchen. Zephyra sat on the kitchen table. She wore a large apron, held a knife in one hand, a potato in the other, a pail of water stood in front of her, and by her side she had a basket of unpeeled potatoes. On her lap was an open book, from which she read, half aloud: "* * *but Constantia felt that the end of her trouble was near; the dagger which was

"Oh, the dear little birds! What an honor for them to be crushed by your milk-white, pearly teeth and serve you as nourishment! Yes, madam, every one of your wishes is a command and shall be obeyed. I will seize the

instrument of sacrifice and offer up the lives of the innocent darlings upon the altar of the family. feast."

With that she seized her book and a large bread knife and hurried out. A moment later I saw through the window how she tried with alluring tones to attract the little animals, and a sudden scream a moment later showed me that she had succeeded.

I went upstairs to busy myself in one of the rooms. After a while I looked out of the window, which commanded a view of the yard. There I saw Zephyra with the bloody knife in one hand, the other held the rooster by the wings, and before her on the window sill was the open book, from which she read in a half-loud tone: "* * * and

he buried the dagger in her youthful breast, drew the bloody steel from the terrible wound, swung it around his head and exclaimed: 'Thus is faithlessness punished!' while she sank upon the soft sward, her closing eyes-"

"Zephyra, for heaven's sake what is the matter?" I called out.

"Constantia ! Oh, I beg your pardon, most honored madam," she replied, loosening at the same time her hold on the rooster. "Oh, it is such an interesting book, 'Constantia and Reginald; or, Murdered Innocence''

But, woman, don't you see that the rooster is running away? It has got to be plucked yet and will never be ready in time."

The rooster, having no intention of playing the part of murdered innocence, had made use of the opportunity and was now running with flapping wings and crowing loudly round the yard.

Zephyra ran after it, holding the bloody knife high in the air, but she would not have caught it if it had not been for our dog, which came to her assistance. With a few bounds it caught the bird and killed it on the spot by biting off the head. Zephyra now got hold of the bird and commenced to pluck it. I looked on for a short while, but this time she left the book alone and plucked and plucked, while the feathers were flying round her in clouds. While thus working vigorously. I heard her murmur to herself: "Fly, fly, you children of the air; float on the breath of zephyr like the feelings of Constantia on the breath of her love! Oh, Reginald, thou cruel murderer, why was thy own hand to drive the cold steel into this loving heart?" etc.

At last, when she had finished the plucking and had fixed the bird, she ran into the kitchen, lighted the fire, busied herself with pots and pans, cleaned the vegetables, in one word attacked the work so vigorously that everything seemed to get along as well as possible, and I returned, satisfied, to my own work of preparation. But this satisfaction was not to be of long duration. After about an hour had passed an intolerable odor of burned meat and