Page 208 - A Jacobite Exile

"Your story that you were attacked, grievously wounded, and, after being
confined here for some days, carried away and confined in the wood, by

order of Ben Soloman, and that he visited you there, would be treated with
derision. The version given by the man who brought in the story of the

Jew's death was that he himself was staying in the cottage of a charcoal
burner, an acquaintance of his, and that a party of brigands, of whom you
were one, arrived there, and that they were boasting of having caused the

death of Ben Soloman, who had fallen by your hand. He managed to escape
from the brigands, and on the road found the dead body of his employer,

who was, he knew, that morning coming out to give him some instructions.
My opinion, and that of my friends who knew you, was that the fellow had
himself killed and robbed his master; but your letter, of course, showed that

his account was true to some extent--that Ben Soloman had fallen in a
struggle with you, and that you yourself were a prisoner in the hands of

these bandits. Still, as it would be next to impossible for you to prove the
truth of your story, and as the Jews of the place, who are numerous and
influential, are dead against you, your life would certainly be forfeited were

you to be captured.

"I know your story to be true, but it would appear wildly improbable, to
others, that this wealthy Jew should have conspired, in the first place, to
cause an attack to be made upon an unknown young stranger, still less that

he should have had him carried off to the forest, and should have gone to
visit him there. The explanation that you were a Swedish officer in disguise

would not benefit you in any way, while it would involve us who knew you
in your danger, and would cause the Jew to be regarded as a man who had
lost his life in endeavouring to unmask a plot against Poland. Therefore, I

think it is extremely fortunate that you are, for the present, safe in the hands
of these brigands, and should certainly advise you to make no attempt to

leave them, until you are perfectly well and strong.

"I have, as you directed me, hidden a few pieces of gold in your shoe, and

have handed the rest of your money to your man, who is starting to join
you. He will conceal it about him. I have just heard that a body of troops

are starting at once for the forest, and that orders have been sent to other
towns, to send detachments into it at different points, so it is evident the