d had no right to expect otherwise
on his first landing on the island; that he had incurred a heavy debt of
gratitude to them for having preserved him so long from a prison; and
that the remembrance of their kindness would tend to beguile the tedious
hours of captivity (from which it may appear that Newton, in point of
expressing himself, was half a Frenchman already). He then kissed the
hand of Madame de Fontanges, tried to console the little slave girls,
who were all _au desespoir_, patted Cupidon on the head, by way of
farewell, and quitted the boudoir, in which he had passed so many happy
hours. When he was outside, he again expressed his obligations to
Monsieur de Fontanges, who then stated his determination to call upon
his brother, the governor, and try to alleviate the hardships of his lot
as much as was possible. In less than an hour Newton, in company with
his host, was on the road to Basse Terre, leaving the corporal and his
two file of men to walk back as fast as they could; the corporal having
sufficient _savoir vivre_ not to refuse the pledge of the governor's
brother for the safe delivery of the prisoner.

It was not until late in the evening that they arrived at Basse Terre,
when they immediately proceeded to the house of the governor, and were
admitted to his presence.

The governor, who had been much displeased at the circumstance of Newton
having remained so long on the island, was more pacified when Monsieur
de Fontanges explained to him the way in which he had been made
prisoner, and the hardships which he had previously endured. Monsieur
de Fontanges accounted for his long detention at Lieu Desiree by stating
the real fact, _viz_, the pertinacity of Madame de Fontanges; which,
although it might have been considered a very poor argument in England,
had its due weight in a French colony.

The governor entered into conversation with Newton, who detailed to him
the horrors of the shipwreck which he had undergone. The narrative
appeared to affect him much. He told Newton that under such
circumstances he could hardly consider him as a prisoner, and would take
the first opportunity of releasing him, and would accept his parole for
not quitting the island. Newton returned his thanks for so much
courtesy, and withdrew in company with Monsieur de Fontanges.

"Monsieur le Marquis has much sympathy for those who have been
shipwrecked," observed Monsieur de Fontanges, after they had quitted the
room.