CHAPTER 17

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 sou…