aced by the deep sorrows of his life. The wind was still blowing
with violence, and our boat was dancing on the waves; our sailors had
finished their repast, and, in order to listen to the fisherman's
tale of woe, had taken up their place by his side. Their features
wore an expression of the most innocent attention; so, having made
a sign to the narrator, he resumed his story as follows:--

"Our captivity lasted two years, during which time we had to endure
very great sufferings. Very often would my master take me away with
him to a lake in the interior of the island, and these absences
lasted for whole months together, during which time I was perforce
separated from my Theresa, my dear wife; for, not having been able
to get united by a clergyman, we had joined ourselves, under the
all-benevolent and protecting eye of the Almighty! On my return,
I used to find my poor companion still the same good, faithful,
devoted, and affectionate friend, whose courage sustained my own.

"One circumstance decided me upon taking an audacious
resolution. Theresa was in an interesting situation! Oh! what would
not my joy have been had I been at Zebou, in the midst of our family
and of our friends! What happiness should I not have felt at the idea
of being a father! Alas! in slavery, that very same thought froze my
blood with terror, and I firmly resolved upon snatching both mother
and child from the tortures of captivity. In one of our excursions
I had been wounded in the leg, and this wound came greatly to my
aid. One day my master set out for the borders of the grand lake, and,
knowing I had a bad leg, left me at Jolo. I availed myself of this
opportunity to put into execution a project that I had formed for a
long time, that of flying with Theresa. The task was a daring one,
but the desire of freedom doubles one's strength and increases one's
courage, so I did not hesitate for a moment. When night had lowered,
my dear Theresa took a road I had pointed out to her; I went by another
one, and we both arrived at the sea-shore at a short distance from
each other. There we jumped into a pirogue, and threw ourselves upon
the protection of Divine mercy!

"We rowed vigorously the whole night, and never in my life shall
I forget that mysterious flight. The wind blew rather violently,
the night was dark, and the stars insensibly lost their vivid
brightness. Every moment we thought we heard behind us the noise of our
pursuers, and our hearts