which would have been tedious but for the society of Yram, the jailer's
daughter, who had taken a great fancy for me and treated me with the utmost
kindness. The man came every day to teach me the language, but my real
dictionary and grammar were Yram; and I consulted them to such purpose that I
made the most extraordinary progress, being able at the end of a month to
understand a great deal of the conversation which I overheard between Yram and
her father. My teacher professed himself well satisfied, and said he should make
a favourable report of me to the authorities. I then questioned him as to what
would probably be done with me. He told me that my arrival had caused great
excitement throughout the country, and that I was to be detained a close
prisoner until the receipt of advices from the Government. My having had a
watch, he said, was the only damaging feature in the case. And then, in answer
to my asking why this should be so, he gave me a long story of which with my
imperfect knowledge of the language I could make nothing whatever, except that
it was a very heinous offence, almost as bad (at least, so I thought I
understood him) as having typhus fever. But he said he thought my light hair
would save me.
    I was allowed to walk in the garden; there was a high wall so that I managed
to play a sort of hand fives, which prevented my feeling the bad effects of my
confinement, though it was stupid work playing alone. In the course of time
people from the town and neighbourhood began to pester the jailer to be allowed
to see me, and on receiving handsome fees he let them do so. The people were
good to me; almost too good, for they were inclined to make a lion of me, which
I hated - at least the women were; only they had to beware of Yram, who was a
young lady of a jealous temperament, and kept a sharp eye both on me and on my
lady visitors. However, I felt so kindly towards her, and was so entirely
dependent upon her for almost all that made my life a blessing and a comfort to
me, that I took good care not to vex her, and we remained excellent friends. The
men were far less inquisitive, and would not, I believe, have come near me of
their own accord; but the women made them come as escorts. I was delighted with
their handsome mien, and pleasant genial manners.
    My food was plain, but always varied and wholesome