What was the price he paid for Elsie? Why, just a bag of flour, and a bottle of gin! Months have passed, and still no Elsie. It is feared that she cannot return if she would. Away from her tribe and from all who love her; sold to a Spaniard who cares not for her; this poor little jewel is living, redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, the slave of a white man, but the child of the living God. Pray for such, and determine, like the little girl who went to the missionary meeting, that your Saviour’s command to “go into all the world” shall be obeyed by you as soon as you are old enough. CHAPTER VII CHILIAN CHILDREN If you look at a map of South America you will find a long, narrow strip of country running north and south alongside of Argentina. Some funny person has described this Republic of Chili as being 2000 miles long and two inches wide! Long and narrow though it is, nevertheless it is very rich in nitrates, so useful for cleansing and enriching the soil. Gold, petroleum, and coal are also to be found there. Chili is very much like her sister Republics, both morally and spiritually, and especially as regards dirt and disease. Smallpox is rampant both in Santiago and Valparaiso, and people suffering from this dreadful disease are actually to be seen walking about the streets. The “conventillos,” which are here only one storey high, are killing grounds for children. Eight out of ten children die under two years of age. Dr Speer says: “Alcoholism, dirt, and uncleanness of the houses, and murderous ignorance of the care of children” are at the bottom of this exceedingly high death-rate in Chili. So much for Chilians. Now a word as to the Araucanian Indians in the interior of that Republic. They are semi-civilized, and a very superior tribe of people. Though nominally under the Government of Chili, they are actually independent of it, and are governed by their own laws. The Araucanians are quite different in appearance, manners, and habits from other Indians. As far as cleanliness goes, they are far in advance of the Chilians themselves. “They are quite as proud, and as resentful of dishonour as the Red Man of the North, and quite as brave in disposition; and, like the Red Indians, they are open, free and generous, and form strong attachments to those who gain their confidence, with equally strong hatred towards those who do them wrong. They have coarse, black hair, and large widespread noses. “The women are among the best looking in the entire country. They do not marry at so early an age as the other Indians, and they do not seem to be ever ill-treated by their husbands. They are fond of their children and respectful to old age. “The religion of these people is much like that of the Red Indians. They acknowledge a ‘Spirit’ who is the Author of, and Master over all.”