Викрадений
Chapter 27
“Whomyouhaveseen?”heasked.
“BywhomIwasreceivedintohisownhouse,”Ianswered.
“DidyouevermeetamanofthenameofHoseason?”askedMr.Rankeillor.
“Ididso,sir,formysins,”saidI;“foritwasbyhismeansandtheprocurementofmyuncle,thatIwaskidnappedwithinsightofthistown,carriedtosea,sufferedshipwreckandahundredotherhardships,andstandbeforeyouto-dayinthispooraccoutrement.”
“Yousayyouwereshipwrecked,”saidRankeillor;“wherewasthat?”
“OffthesouthendoftheIsleofMull,”saidI.“ThenameoftheisleonwhichIwascastupistheIslandEarraid.”
“Ah!”sayshe,smiling,“youaredeeperthanmeinthegeography.Butsofar,Imaytellyou,thisagreesprettyexactlywithotherinformationsthatIhold.Butyousayyouwerekidnapped;inwhatsense?”
“Intheplainmeaningoftheword,sir,”saidI.“Iwasonmywaytoyourhouse,whenIwastrepannedonboardthebrig,cruellystruckdown,thrownbelow,andknewnomoreofanythingtillwewerefaratsea.Iwasdestinedfortheplantations;afatethat,inGod’sprovidence,Ihaveescaped.”
“ThebrigwaslostonJunethe27th,”sayshe,lookinginhisbook,“andwearenowatAugustthe24th.Hereisaconsiderablehiatus,Mr.Balfour,ofnearupontwomonths.Ithasalreadycausedavastamountoftroubletoyourfriends;andIownIshallnotbeverywellcontenteduntilitissetright.
