MR. WILTON.  “We cannot enlighten these people without help from on high; and their circumstances are too melancholy to dwell on.  Let us continue our voyage, and pray for their conversion.  Who can inform me how many bays there are around this great island?”

GEORGE.  “I can, papa.  There are fourteen on my map; and the Bay of Antongil, up in the north-east, is the largest”

MR. WILTON.  “So it is, George; and near it lies the Island of St. Mary, which once formed the principal retreat of the pirates who, in the 17th century, infested the Indian Ocean.  It is a delightful island, abounding in every necessary of life.  Now, I have a droll story to tell you, and that will conclude our remarks on Madagascar.

#Translation of a Malagassy Fable, accounting for the enmity between the Crocodile and the Dog.#

“A serpent and a young crocodile dwelt in the same part of the country.  The serpent fixed itself in a tree by the water-side; and underneath the same tree the young crocodile watched for prey.  After a time a dog came to drink; the crocodile pursued him; down came the serpent to stop the crocodile.  “What have you to do with me?” said the crocodile.—­“Why, you are seeking to eat everybody that passes this way,” replied the serpent—­“Be quiet,”—­said the crocodile, “lest I give you a blow with my tail, and cut you in two.”—­“And pray what are you?” asked the serpent:  “I suppose you are thinking that, because I have neither hands nor feet, I can do nothing; but, perhaps, you have not looked at my tail, how sharp it is.”—­“Cease your noise,” replied the crocodile, “or I’ll just break you in two.”  The serpent, then becoming excessively angry, struck the crocodile with his tail, and wounded his loins, so as nearly to break his body.  All the fish were astonished; and, addressing the crocodile, said, “How is this,—­you that can conquer people and cattle, however large, and anything else?” The crocodile, ashamed, dived out of sight; while the serpent resumed his place on the tree.  The crocodile, however, hoping to repay him, kept watching for prey.  After a time, there came a goose to the water.  The crocodile pursued, and got hold of him; when down came the serpent, to stop him, as before.  “Where are you going?” cried the crocodile.—­“Let that goose alone,” said the serpent, “lest I kill you.”  The crocodile replied contemptuously, and the serpent, enraged, exclaimed, “Well, this time, see if you are not the worse for it;” and then he struck the crocodile, and wounded him on the face, and made him scream again.  So he was conquered that, time, and the goose got off.  Then all the little fish came again, and said to the crocodile, “How is it that you are beaten by that foolish serpent?  You are wise and powerful, and that little fellow conies and beats you.”  Completely ashamed, again the crocodile hid himself in the water, and began to think by what means he might conquer this serpent upon the tree.  After