nks of the Zouga, October 24, 18--.'

'No; he only lay ill there a long time it seems. It was a companion who
died at that date. But I'll read the account to your ladyship, with your
permission:--

'"The decease of this somewhat eccentric wanderer did not occur at the
time hitherto supposed, but only in last December. The following is
the account of the Englishman alluded to, given as nearly as possible
in his own words: During the illness of Sir Blount and his friend by
the Zouga, three of the servants went away, taking with them a portion
of his clothing and effects; and it must be they who spread the report
of his death at this time. After his companion's death he mended, and
when he was strong enough he and I travelled on to a healthier
district. I urged him not to delay his return to England; but he was
much against going back there again, and became so rough in his manner
towards me that we parted company at the first opportunity I could
find. I joined a party of white traders returning to the West Coast.
I stayed here among the Portuguese for many months. I then found that
an English travelling party were going to explore a district adjoining
that which I had formerly traversed with Sir Blount. They said they
would be glad of my services, and I joined them. When we had crossed
the territory to the South of Ulunda, and drew near to Marzambo, I
heard tidings of a man living there whom I suspected to be Sir Blount,
although he was not known by that name. Being so near I was induced
to seek him out, and found that he was indeed the same. He had
dropped his old name altogether, and had married a native princess--"'

'Married a native princess!' said Lady Constantine.

'That's what it says, my lady,--"married a native princess according to
the rites of the tribe, and was living very happily with her. He told me
he should never return to England again. He also told me that having
seen this princess just after I had left him, he had been attracted by
her, and had thereupon decided to reside with her in that country, as
being a land which afforded him greater happiness than he could hope to
attain elsewhere. He asked me to stay with him, instead of going on with
my party, and not reveal his real title to any of them. After some
hesitation I did stay, and was not uncomfortable at first. But I soon
found that Sir Blount drank much harder now th