This was said with great emphasis on the "_my_," and delivered with an air of--"see what a decided person _I_ am." In an hour my father had drawn up the following document:-- TERMS OF AGREEMENT FOR MY SON'S RESIDENCE UPON JETHOU FOR 12 MONTHS. My son Harry wishes to live the life of a Crusoe or Hermit, on the Island of Jethou for twelve months, and to this I agree only on his signifying his willingness to abide by the terms stated in this agreement. 1. He shall allow no one to land on the island. 2. Shall not himself land upon any of the surrounding islands (rocks which are uninhabited excepted). 3. Shall not speak to a living soul during the course of his self-exilement. 4. Shall obtain no stores nor goods of any kind from any other island, nor from any passing vessel. 5. Shall hold no communication with anyone, in any way:-- (_a_) Either ashore or afloat. (_b_) Except in case of sickness, accident, detrimental to limb or life, or (_c_) In other case of dire necessity. Should my son choose to abide by the above regulations, I will agree to his holding the island for a period of one year. Signed, THOMAS J. NILFORD. "There!" said my father, laying down his pen, "that is my ultimatum, my son; and mark me, I will agree to _nothing_ else." This was said in a manner which shewed plainly that he considered he had drawn up a code so stringent that he did not deem it at all likely I should accept his plan; but to his great chagrin, and I may almost say his consternation, I reached out my hand, after reading the document, and taking the goose quill, wrote under the last clause, "Accepted--Harry Nilford." That being done, my father could not go back upon his word, and accordingly the whole thing was settled. M. Oudin was pleased, and I was supremely delighted, but my good old father was quite dejected, and frankly avowed that it was like sentencing me to twelve months' imprisonment. So it was, but what a delightful imprisonment I anticipated it would be! However, in a day or two he came round, and as he could not well alter the turn circumstances had taken, he endeavoured to ameliorate them. He made me write down a list of what I thought I should require, and to this list he added a long supplement; and after mature consultation with M. Oudin, another list was added as addendum; in fact, the articles were so numerous that they filled four huge packing cases.