er under his torn shirt,
but he took no notice of it.

"My friend," said Cyrus Harding, "we have just contracted a debt of
gratitude to you. To save our boy you have risked your life!"

"My life!" murmured the stranger "What is that worth? Less than
nothing!"

"You are wounded!"

"It is no matter."

"Will you give me your hand?"

And as Herbert endeavoured to seize the hand which had just saved him,
the stranger folded his arms, his chest heaved, his look darkened, and
he appeared to wish to escape, but making a violent effort over
himself, and in an abrupt tone,--

"Who are you?" he asked, "and what do you claim to be to me?"

It was the colonists' history which he thus demanded, and for the
first time. Perhaps this history recounted, he would tell his own.

[Illustration: HE SEIZED THE JAGUAR'S THROAT WITH ONE POWERFUL HAND]

In a few words Harding related all that had happened since their
departure from Richmond; how they had managed, and what resources they
now had at their disposal.

The stranger listened with extreme attention.

Then the engineer told who they all were, Gideon Spilett, Herbert,
Pencroft, Neb, himself; and he added, that the greatest happiness they
had felt since their arrival in Lincoln Island was on the return of
the vessel from Tabor Island, when they had been able to include
amongst them a new companion.

At these words the stranger's face flushed, his head sunk on his
breast, and confusion was depicted on his countenance.

"And now that you know us," added Cyrus Harding, "will you give us
your hand?"

"No," replied the stranger in a hoarse voice; "no! You are honest men,
you! And I--"

CHAPTER XVII

Still alone -- The Stranger's Request -- The Farm established
at the Corral -- Twelve Years ago -- The Boatswain's Mate of
the _Britannia_ -- Left on Tabor Island -- Cyrus Harding's
Hand -- The mysterious Document.

These last words justified the colonists' presentiment. There had been
some mournful past, perhaps expiated in the sight of men, but from
which his conscience had not yet absolved him. At any rate the guilty
man felt remorse, he repented, and his new friends would have
cordially pressed the hand which they sought; but he did not feel
himself worthy to extend it to honest men! However, after the scene
with the jaguar, he did not return to the forest, and from that day
did not go beyond the enclosure of Granite House.

What was the myster