Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX. A civilized oaeal--A happy evening -- A survey of the island -- Preparation of guano -- Preparations against invasion by the giants -- A proposal to attack thorn -- Loyalty and revenge -- Killing time -- Trouble in the settlement -- A disagreeable situation -- Arrival of vessels -- Countrymen -- A welcome by new friends. After getting sufficiently thawed out, I gave a synopsis of my adventures. The cook presently laid the table, and brought in supper. I ate heartily of bread and Irish pork, and drank tea raised in Brazil, called matte. It may not compare favorably with the produce of China, but to me it was a delicious beverage. I had been in captivity ninetyseven days, living as the reader has seen. Although I partook freely of supper, -- too freely for one in my weak condition, -- I rose from the meal with as keen an appetite as I brought to it. I again expressed to Mr. Hall, on learning his name, my gratitude at finding myself, through his timely assistance, among friends, though a stranger. He cordially sympathized with me, observing that he had been a prisoner among the Patagonians for one day only, but had seen enough in that short time to be convinced that a lifeof ninety-seven days with them must have been dreadful indeed. After supper the boat was hauled up on the island. Pipes and tobacco were furnished, and I passed in the society of my deliverers one of the happiest evenings of my whole life. Thp change was so great, from the miserable and almost hopeless existence I had so long lived, that my joy exceeded all bounds. My heart overflowed with gratitude. Words could not then, and cannot now, convey any adequate impression of my feelings, -- of the freedom and joy that animated me, on being snatched from perils, ..