42 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
“ I was so astonished, that at first I had not power to 
open it, concluding I was in a dream; but at length reco¬ 
vering my surprise, after a little recollection I opened it, and 
found it came from Captain William Macket: the contents 
were to the effect following:— 
“ That he had a letter on board from my father, with full 
instructions, as well from him as the owners of the vessel, 
to purchase my liberty, let it cost what it would; and, in 
case I could not possibly come down myself, to send him 
word the reason of it, and what measures he should take 
to serve me.” 
The chief was astonished to see the change in Drury’s 
countenance as he read the letter; and when informed of 
the intelligence it conveyed, his surprise appeared un¬ 
bounded ; and, as he examined the paper, he said that he 
had heard before of such a method of conveying informa¬ 
tion, but was wholly at a loss to conceive how it could be 
done without witchcraft: a feeling exactly coinciding with 
the impression made on the minds of the Society and Sand¬ 
wich islanders, when they first witnessed the transmission 
of intelligence by means of writing. 
It was not without considerable persuasion and many 
entreaties, that the chieftain and his family could be induced 
to part with the English slave; but it was at last agreed 
upon that he should be permitted to go with the captain, 
on condition that the latter would provide the chief with a 
good gun, which he promised to call Robin, in remembrance 
of his slave. 
The joy experienced by Drury on his happy liberation 
exceeded all bounds; though the novelty of his feelings, 
after fifteen years’ captivity among a barbarous people, ren¬ 
dered his situation almost too strange and exciting for 
enjoyment. He returned to England with Captain Macket, 
