ery tree where Ben had before discovered
what he brought us. He again went down, and returned with a similar
supply. We considered this matter, and could not believe that any
treachery was intended, but, on the contrary, we began to hope that we
had some secret friend among the savages. Who he was, and how he came
to take an interest in us, was the question. Several days more passed
away. Each alternate night provisions were left for us. At length I
resolved to endeavour to discover our friend. My great object was that
I might be able by this means to gain tidings of Jerry, and perhaps to
rescue him from the hands of his captors, for I continued to hope that
he had not been put to death. I explained my plan to Mr Brand. After
some hesitation, he consented to allow me to adopt it. "I feel with
you, Harry, that I could never bring myself to leave the island without
Jerry," he answered; "and probably the savages, should they catch you,
would be less likely to injure you than any of us."

That night, soon after it was dark, I crept down to the tree, and
concealing myself among some bushes which grew near, waited the result.
I felt very sleepy, and could at times scarcely keep myself awake. At
last I heard footsteps, as if a person were cautiously approaching the
tree. A man dressed, as far as I could distinguish, like a chief, with
a turban on his head, deposited a basket in the usual spot. I sprang
out and seized his hand. At first he seemed much surprised, if not
alarmed; but, recognising me, he patted me on the head, and uttered some
words in a low voice, which I could not understand, but their tone was
mild and kind. Then he put out his hand, and I distinctly felt him make
the sign of the cross on my brow, and then he made it on his own. I no
longer had any doubt that he was a Christian. I longed to ask him about
Jerry, but I found that he did not understand a word of English. It was
so dark, also, that he could scarcely see my gestures. I tried every
expedient to make him comprehend my meaning. I ran on, and then seized
an imaginary person, and conducted him back to the fort. I raised my
hands in a supplicating attitude. I shook his hands warmly, to show how
grateful I should be if he granted my request. At last I began to hope
that he understood me. He shook my hands and nodded, and then,
assisting me to carry the basket close up to the fort, hurriedly left
me.

This circumstance considerably