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not thwart them； moreover； I liked them well enough； and felt
tolerably sure that they had no intention of hurting me。
In about a quarter of an hour we got to a small Hamlet built on the
side of a hill； with a narrow street and houses huddled up
together。 The roofs were large and overhanging。 Some few windows
were glazed； but not many。 Altogether the village was exceedingly
like one of those that one comes upon in descending the less known
passes over the Alps on to Lombardy。 I will pass over the
excitement which my arrival caused。 Suffice it； that though there
was abundance of curiosity； there was no rudeness。 I was taken to
the principal house； which seemed to belong to the people who had
captured me。 There I was hospitably entertained； and a supper of
milk and goat's flesh with a kind of oatcake was set before me； of
which I ate heartily。 But all the time I was eating I could not
help turning my eyes upon the two beautiful girls whom I had first
seen； and who seemed to consider me as their lawful prizewhich
indeed I was； for I would have gone through fire and water for
either of them。
Then came the inevitable surprise at seeing me smoke； which I will
spare the reader； but I noticed that when they saw me strike a
match； there was a hubbub of excitement which； it struck me； was
not altogether unmixed with disapproval： why； I could not guess。
Then the women retired； and I was left alone with the men； who
tried to talk to me in every conceivable way； but we could come to
no understanding； except that I was quite alone； and had come from
a long way over the mountains。 In the course of time they grew
tired； and I very sleepy。 I made signs as though I would sleep on
the floor in my blankets； but they gave me one of their bunks with
plenty of dried fern and grass； on to which I had no sooner laid
myself than I fell fast asleep； nor did I awake till well into the
following day； when I found myself in the hut with two men keeping
guard over me and an old woman cooking。 When I woke the men seemed
pleased； and spoke to me as though bidding me good morning in a
pleasant tone。
I went out of doors to wash in a creek which ran a few yards from
the house。 My hosts were as engrossed with me as ever； they never
took their eyes off me； following every action that I did； no
matter how trifling； and each looking towards the other for his
opinion at every touch and turn。 They took great interest in my
ablutions； for they seemed to have doubted whether I was in all
respects human like themselves。 They even laid hold of my arms and
overhauled them； and expressed approval when they saw that they
were strong and muscular。 They now examined my legs； and
especially my feet。 When they desisted they nodded approvingly to
each other； and when I had combed and brushed my hair； and
generally made myself as neat and well arranged as circumstances
would allow； I could see that their respect for me increased
greatly； and that they were by no means sure that they had treated
me with sufficient deferencea matter on which I am not competent
to decide。 All I know is that they were very good to me； for which
I thanked them heartily； as it might well have been otherwise。
For my own part； I liked them and admired them； for their quiet
self…possession and dignified ease impressed me pleasurably at
once。 Neither did their manner make me feel as though I were
personally distasteful to themonly that I was a thing utterly new
and unlooked for； which they could not comprehend。 Their type was
more that of the most robust Italians than any other； their manners
also were eminently Italian； in their entire unconsciousness of
self。 Having travelled a good deal in Italy； I was struck with
little gestures of the hand and shoulders； which constantly
reminded me of that country。 My feeling was that my wisest plan
would be to go on as I had begun； and be simply myself for better
or worse； such as I was； and take my chance accordingly。
I thought of these things while they were waiting for me to have
done washing； and on my way back。 Then they gave me breakfasthot
bread and milk； and fried flesh of something between mutton and
venison。 Their ways of cooking and eating were European； though
they had only a skewer for a fork； and a sort of butcher's knife to
cut with。 The more I looked at everything in the house； the more I
was struck with its quasi…European character； and had the walls
only been pasted over with extracts from the Illustrated London
News and Punch； I could have almost fancied myself in a shepherd's
hut upon my master's sheep…run。 And yet everything was slightly
different。 It was much the same with the birds and flowers on the
other side； as compared with the English ones。 On my arrival I had
been pleased at noticing that nearly all the plants and birds were
very like common English ones： thus； there was a robin； and a
lark； and a wren； and daisies； and dandelions； not quite the same
as the English； but still very like themquite like enough to be
called by the same name； so now； here； the ways of these two men；
and the things they had in the house； were all very nearly the same
as in Europe。 It was not at all like going to China or Japan；
where everything that one sees is strange。 I was； indeed； at once
struck with the primitive character of their appliances； for they
seemed to be some five or six hundred years behind Europe in their
inventions； but this is the case in many an Italian village。
All the time that I was eating my breakfast I kept speculating as
to what family of mankind they could belong to； and shortly there
came an idea into my head； which brought the blood into my cheeks
with excitement as I thought of it。 Was it possible that they
might be the lost ten tribes of Israel； of whom I had heard both my
grandfather and my father make mention as existing in an unknown
country； and awaiting a final return to Palestine？ Was it possible
that I might have been designed by Providence as the instrument of
their conversion？ Oh； what a thought was this！ I laid down my
skewer and gave them a hasty survey。 There was nothing of a Jewish
type about them： their noses were distinctly Grecian； and their
lips； though full； were not Jewish。
How could I settle this question？ I knew neither Greek nor Hebrew；
and even if I should get to understand the language here spoken； I
should be unable to detect the roots of either of these tongues。 I
had not been long enough among them to ascertain their habits； but
they did not give me the impression of being a religious people。
This too was natural： the ten tribes had been always lamentably
irreligious。 But could I not make them change？ To restore the
lost ten tribes of Israel to a knowledge of the only truth： here
would be indeed an immortal crown of glory！ My heart beat fast and
furious as I entertained the thought。 What a position would it not
ensure me in the next world； or perhaps even in this！ What folly
it would be to throw such a chance away！ I should rank next to the
Apostles； if not as high as theycertainly above the minor
prophets； and possibly above any Old Testament writer except Moses
and Isaiah。 For such a future as this I would sacrifice all that I
have without a moment's hesitation； could I be reasonably assured
of it。 I had always cordially approved of missionary efforts； and
had at times contributed my mite towards their support and
extension； but I had never hitherto felt drawn towards becoming a
missionary myself； and indeed had always admired； and envied； and
respected them； more than I had exactly liked them。 But if these
people were the lost ten tribes of Israel； the case would be widely
different： the opening was too excellent to be lost； and I
resolved that should I see indications which appeared to confirm my
impression that I had indeed come upon the missing tribes； I would
certainly convert them。
I may here mention that this discovery is the one to which I
alluded in the opening pages of my story。 Time strengthened the
impression made upon me at first； and； though I remained in doubt
for several months； I feel now no longer u