`` 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. Balfour , of near upon two months . It has already caused a vast amount of trouble to your friends ; and I own I shall not be very well contented until it is set right . '' `` Indeed , sir , '' said I , `` these months are very easily filled up ; but yet before I told my story , I would be glad to know that I was talking to a friend . '' `` This is to argue in a circle , '' said the lawyer . `` I can not be convinced till I have heard you . I can not be your friend till I am properly informed . If you were more trustful , it would better befit your time of life . And you know , Mr. Balfour , we have a proverb in the country that evil-doers are aye evil-dreaders . '' `` You are not to forget , sir , '' said I , `` that I have already suffered by my trustfulness ; and was shipped off to be a slave by the very man that -LRB- if I rightly understand -RRB- is your employer ? '' All this while I had been gaining ground with Mr. Rankeillor , and in proportion as I gained ground , gaining confidence . But at this sally , which I made with something of a smile myself , he fairly laughed aloud .
`` No , no , '' XXXXX he , `` it is not so bad as that .
agrees gained informed made said struck talking tell thrown told