"My friend," said Cyrus Harding, "we have just contracted a debt of gratitude to you. To save our boy you have risked your life!" "My life!" murmured the stranger "What is that worth? Less than nothing!" "You are wounded!" "It is no matter." "Will you give me your hand?" And as Herbert endeavoured to seize the hand which had just saved him, the stranger folded his arms, his chest heaved, his look darkened, and he appeared to wish to escape, but making a violent effort over himself, and in an abrupt tone,-- "Who are you?" he asked, "and what do you claim to be to me?" It was the colonists' history which he thus demanded, and for the first time. Perhaps this history recounted, he would tell his own. [Illustration: HE SEIZED THE JAGUAR'S THROAT WITH ONE POWERFUL HAND] In a few words Harding related all that had happened since their departure from Richmond; how they had managed, and what resources they now had at their disposal. The stranger listened with extreme attention. Then the engineer told who they all were, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, Pencroft, Neb, himself; and he added, that the greatest happiness they had felt since their arrival in Lincoln Island was on the return of the vessel from Tabor Island, when they had been able to include amongst them a new companion. At these words the stranger's face flushed, his head sunk on his breast, and confusion was depicted on his countenance. "And now that you know us," added Cyrus Harding, "will you give us your hand?" "No," replied the stranger in a hoarse voice; "no! You are honest men, you! And I--" CHAPTER XVII Still alone -- The Stranger's Request -- The Farm established at the Corral -- Twelve Years ago -- The Boatswain's Mate of the _Britannia_ -- Left on Tabor Island -- Cyrus Harding's Hand -- The mysterious Document. These last words justified the colonists' presentiment. There had been some mournful past, perhaps expiated in the sight of men, but from which his conscience had not yet absolved him. At any rate the guilty man felt remorse, he repented, and his new friends would have cordially pressed the hand which they sought; but he did not feel himself worthy to extend it to honest men! However, after the scene with the jaguar, he did not return to the forest, and from that day did not go beyond the enclosure of Granite House. What was the mystery of his life? Would the stranger one day speak of it? Time alone could show. At any rate, it was agreed that his secret should never be asked from him, and that they would live with him as if they suspected nothing.