he should likewise remember my arrival at his cave to the last day of his life, adding, O that he could there spend the whole in the company of one whose bright eyes had kindled—­but I know you will think, sir, that we women love to repeat the compliments made us, I will therefore omit them.  In a word, the sailors being now arrived, I quitted him with some compassion for the reluctance with which he parted from me, and went forward with my companions.

“We had proceeded but a very few paces before one of the sailors said to his comrades, ’D—­n me, Jack, who knows whether yon fellow hath not some good flip in his cave?’ I innocently answered, The poor wretch hath only one bottle of brandy.  ‘Hath he so?’ cries the sailor; ‘’fore George, we will taste it;’ and so saying they immediately returned back, and myself with them.  We found the poor man prostrate on the ground, expressing all the symptoms of misery and lamentation.  I told him in French (for the sailors could not speak that language) what they wanted.  He pointed to the place where the bottle was deposited, saying they were welcome to that and whatever else he had, and added he cared not if they took his life also.  The sailors searched the whole cave, where finding nothing more which they deemed worth their taking, they walked off with the bottle, and, immediately emptying it without offering me a drop, they proceeded with me towards the town.

“In our way I observed one whisper another, while he kept his eye stedfastly fixed on me.  This gave me some uneasiness; but the other answered, ’No, d—­n me, the captain will never forgive us:  besides, we have enough of it among the black women, and, in my mind, one colour is as good as another.’  This was enough to give me violent apprehensions; but I heard no more of that kind till we came to the town, where, in about six hours, I arrived in safety.

“As soon as I came to the captain he enquired what was become of my friend, meaning the villanous count.  When he was informed by me of what had happened, he wished me heartily joy of my delivery, and, expressing the utmost abhorrence of such baseness, swore if ever he met him he would cut his throat; but, indeed, we both concluded that he had died of the blow which the hermit had given him.

“I was now introduced to the chief magistrate of this country, who was desirous of seeing me.  I will give you a short description of him.  He was chosen (as is the custom there) for his superior bravery and wisdom.  His power is entirely absolute during his continuance; but, on the first deviation from equity and justice, he is liable to be deposed and punished by the people, the elders of whom, once a year assemble to examine into his conduct.  Besides the danger which these examinations, which are very strict, expose him to, his office is of such care and trouble that nothing but that restless love of power so predominant in the mind of man could make it the object of desire, for he is indeed the only