A VISIT TO THE WORLD OUTSIDE. 197 



sion of a very worthy man, one whom Friday felt he 

 could trust, and who would not betray our plans nor 

 inform any one of our residence, we were safe in 

 venturing that far, and if anything occurred to excite 

 suspicion we could retreat upon our base of opera- 

 tions again, without it becoming known that we were 

 abroad. 



The scheme, which was Friday's own, worked 

 beautifully. The second morning we were snugly 

 domiciled beneath the roof of the " great house," and 

 the manager, a big-hearted and stalwart Scotchman, 

 was listening to my story and laughing heartily at 

 our adventures. I should like to narrate my sensa- 

 tions at again meeting one of my own race after so 

 many months of seclusion ; but events now crowd 

 upon me so, hastening to a conclusion, that this will 

 be impossible. 



Our friend and host promised to keep my secret, 

 and, being a man of intelligence, with generous im- 

 pulses, did not more than laugh at my scheme ; but he 

 would not allow me to depart at once on my way to 

 the southern end of the island, and we passed three 

 days with him, all the time entertained like visiting 

 princes from abroad. He insisted, of course, upon 

 an unabridged narration of my adventure, and at its 

 close congratulated me upon securing such a treasure 

 as I possessed in the person of Thomas Ned, who had 

 assumed his old position as butler and attendant ^o 

 teTYi,^ and waited on us assiduously. 



The " great house " was situated in the center of a 

 broad, spacious valley, with the sea in front, the hill 



