asked Mr. Rankeillor . `` No , sir , '' said I , `` but they are in the hands of Mr. Campbell , the minister , and could be readily produced . Mr. Campbell , too , would give me his word ; and for that matter , I do not think my uncle would deny me . '' `` Meaning Mr. Ebenezer Balfour ? '' says he . `` The same , '' said I. `` Whom you have seen ? '' he asked . `` By whom I was received into his own house , '' I answered . `` Did you ever meet a man of the name of Hoseason ? '' asked Mr. Rankeillor . `` I did so , sir , for my sins , '' said I ; `` for it was by his means and the procurement of my uncle , that I was kidnapped within sight of this town , carried to sea , suffered shipwreck and a hundred other hardships , and stand before you to-day in this poor accoutrement . '' `` You say you were shipwrecked , '' said Rankeillor ; `` where was that ? '' `` Off the south end of the Isle of Mull , '' said I. `` The name of the isle on which I was cast up is the Island Earraid . '' `` Ah ! '' says he , smiling , `` you are deeper than me in the geography . But so far , I may tell you , this agrees pretty exactly with other informations that I hold . But you say you were kidnapped ; in what sense ? '' `` In the plain meaning of the word , sir , '' said I. `` I was on my way to your house , when I was trepanned on board the brig , cruelly struck down , thrown below , and knew no more of anything till we were far at sea . I was destined for the plantations ; a fate that , in God 's providence , I have escaped . '' `` The brig was lost on June the 27th , '' says he , looking in his book , `` and we are now at August the 24th .
Here is a considerable hiatus , Mr. XXXXX , of near upon two months .
Balfour Campbell Earraid Hoseason Mull Rankeillor accoutrement house informations sight