“I shall take the liberty of relating it to you, my lord, when I am in a more fit state of mind and body. I shall only say one word to your lordship so as to warn you that my story is worthy of attention.”
“What is the word?”
“My lord, I am the last king of this island.”
This answer was not calculated to check the jeering laughter of my hearers, who were for the most part very young, and consequently very little disposed to make allowances. Besides, I must admit that this half-naked king who stood before them clad in an ape’s tattered skin fully justified the reception accorded to my royal words.
Admiral Campbell asked me laughingly if I had any objection, as I was king, to his taking possession of the island of Kouparou.
I besought him not to laugh at an unhappy man who had lost everything he possessed by his shipwreck.
The admiral, shaking my hand, then said, “Mr. Marasquin, you will have lost nothing; England, I promise you, will indemnify you.”
England has amply fulfilled the promises of the noble sailor who, a few days after his return to the island of Kouparou, deigned to listen to the recital of troubles I had undergone in the midst of this community of apes. He took such a lively interest in all my vicissitudes that he made me promise to publish them in the unpretentious form in which I produce them to-day; and I publish them, you may believe me, less from an author’s pride than as an example and an encouragement to those unfortunate beings who might be tempted to give way to discouragement and despair if they should chance to suffer shipwreck as I did, and be cast like I was, on an island peopled by apes. Besides, I look only for honour and profit from my proper profession.
Thanks to the kindness of Admiral Campbell, who advanced me several sums of money, and the sympathy of his officers, who became better customers of mine than ever, I occupy an excellent position at Macao, where I carry on my business of dealer in wild and tame animals.
As a sort of crown to the many kindnesses which Admiral Campbell had already shown me, he ordered that one of the numerous isles of the Sooloo Archipelago should be called on the last geographical charts of that part of India Polydorus Marasquin Island.