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THE NESTORIANS AND THEIR RITUALS.

about their hopes and fears, and prospects, till past midnight, and retired to rest thoroughly worn out with the adventures of the day.

April 11th.—To-day we had the pleasure of welcoming Messrs. Clive and Herbert, who reached Leezan about noon, and took up their abode with us in the house of Kash' Audishu. Shortly after, a Nestorian girl came in carrying a satchel on her shoulder, which she laid at my feet, then took my hand and affectionately kissed it. The features and voice were not new to me, but I was puzzled at first to know who it was that addressed me. Some of the by-standers pronounced the name of "Rendi," and I at once recognised in her one of the liberated captive children, whose winning manners had so affected Mrs. Badger when she was first brought from Jezeerah, that she had been taken into our house, and treated as one of the family up to the time of our departure from Mosul. She had heard of my arrival while at Minyanish her native village, and had walked three hours through the snow, carrying with her a present of raisins, walnuts, and eggs, in token of her gratitude. She had grown but little in stature, though now about thirteen years old, but there was the same calmness in her look, the same unaffected simplicity in her carriage, the same attractive sweetness in her voice. Sitting opposite to me, she gazed wistfully into ray face, and seemed to be calling to mind the days of her slavery and subsequent deliverance, until the tears gushed from her eyes. "How is my dear lady," said she, "who was so good to me; who was to me better than a mother? How is the lady of the Consul, your sister, whom the Nestorians will ever bless? The Lord bless them; the Lord give them the kingdom of heaven!" There was something so touching, so simple, so sincere, in this expression of gratitude that I could not answer her … Before we finally left Leezan, she came once more to bid me farewell, and to send her salutations to my sister and Mrs. Badger at Mosul.

In the afternoon a messenger arrived from Mar Shimoon, bringing with him the book which I had asked for, and an earnest request that we would meet him the day following at Be-Alâtha, whither he intended to go from Be-Rawolé. Kas Michael and I spent the greater part of the night in translating