He considered and said that if Uncle Bendigo would see him
quite alone and swear, before God, not to hinder his departure in
any way after they had met, he would come to 'Crow's Nest' to-night
after the household was asleep.
"For the moment he wants food and a lamp to light his hiding-place
after dark. But before all else, he begs you, Uncle Ben, to let him
come and see you quite alone. Then he told us to be gone if we were
honest friends. It is left in this way. If you will see him, he will
come any hour you mention after midnight. But first you must give
your written oath before God that you will have nobody with you, and
that you will neither set a trap for him nor seek to detain him. His
hope is that you will give him means and clothes, so that he may
leave England safely and get to Uncle Albert in Italy. He made us
swear not to say where we had found him, and then he indicated a
spot where I was to bring your answer in writing before dark. I am
to leave a letter at that spot as soon as I can, and go away at
once, and he will come and find your directions.
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