k became my
treasure, and it was not till I had read it through and through, so as
almost to know it by heart, that at length I returned to my Bible. All
this time I had never asked Jackson to go on with his narrative; but now
that my curiosity was appeased, I made the request. He appeared, as
before, very unwilling; but I was pertinacious, and he was worried into
it.

"There were but four of us left and your mother, and the mate was in a
very bad state of health; he fretted very much, poor fellow, for he had
left a young wife in England, and what he appeared to fear most was,
that she would be married again before he could get home. It ended in a
confirmed liver complaint, which carried him off nine months afterwards;
and thus was one more of our companions disposed of. He died very
quietly, and gave me his sleeve-buttons and watch to deliver to his
wife, if ever I should escape from the island. I fear there is little
chance of her ever receiving them."

"Where are they?" said I, recollecting how I had seen him lift up the
board under his bed-place.

"I have them safe," replied Jackson, "and it necessary, will tell you
where to find them."

This reply satisfied me, and I allowed him to proceed.

"We buried him in the guano, by the side of the two others, and now we
were but three. It was at this time that your mother was confined and
you were born; that is, about three months after the death of the mate.
We had just finished laying in our stock of birds for the year when she
was taken ill, sooner than was expected, and it was supposed that was
occasioned by over-exertion at the time. However, she got up very well
without any medical assistance, and your father was much pleased at
having a son, for he had been married five years without any prospect of
a family. I ought to observe, that the loss of our companions, one
after another, had had the effect of bringing those that remained much
closer together; I was treated with more kindness by both your father
and mother, and the captain, and I returned it as well as my feelings
would permit me, for I could not altogether get rid of my animosity to
your father. However, we became much more confidential, that is
certain, and I was now treated as an equal.

"Six months passed away and you had become a thriving child, when a
melancholy occurrence--" here Jackson covered up his face with his hands
and remained for some time silent.

"Go on," said I, "Jackson;