To: Messrs Jarndyce and Fortescue
185 The Strand, London
Dear Sirs
I write to assure you of my continued existence and well-being. As not only guardians of my estate and affairs but family friends of long standing, I request you henceforth to desist from any actions on my behalf until, and unless, you have discussed the same with me face to face on return from my extended holiday. It is hardly necessary for me to add that whatever rumours you may hear concerning my safety should be totally ignored unless verified by our previously agreed code. What follows below is an account, for your interest, of my sojourn here to date.
When it was first mooted that I might benefit from some time alone spent reflecting upon events that have moulded my life to date, I was, I admit, somewhat apprehensive at the forms that this suggested sojourn might take. My apprehensions were, it would seem, in the passage of time, to have been groundless.
When first dropped off here, with such provisions as could reasonably be delivered to me, I was overcome with the beauty of the unspoilt beach and crystal clarity of the sea. Beyond the beach, rising in waves towards a backdrop of dark hills in a cloudless sky, was such greenery as I never before saw. This image occupied my thoughts for some minutes until it was overtaken by the realisation that there were no signs of any other human habitation. Had I been dropped at the wrong location? I thought not. My erstwhile companions would not have made such a basic mistake. No! It was their recommended spot.
Having decided that I must be in the right place, I took note of the sun’s position and calculated maybe six hours of daylight remaining. I had previously taken heed of the high water line and made haste to ensure that all my goods and provisions were stored safely above it. This done, it was my intention to take a walk along the shore to ascertain the whereabouts and amiability of the local inhabitants and perhaps dine with them should the opportunity arise. Alas this was not to be.
It is now six months since I fetched up on this beautiful island, for such I now know it to be. My general state of health is, I am pleased to report, excellent. The treatment devised for me by my former colleagues has been efficacious in the extreme, though I fear it was not intended to continue for quite as long as it has. I have lost some stones in weight and consequently am able to occupy my time with activities hitherto prohibited purely by my girth. I climb trees to pick fruit and to espy both land and sea, with an agility I could not have believed possible in the past. I swim in the sea for recreation and have become an accomplished fisherman, thus providing for my table a healthy and satisfying diet. These skills and activities, though pleasurable in themselves, have nevertheless been born out of necessity.
The original provisions supplied by my caring colleagues were indeed sufficient for my survival, albeit on a minimal diet, which I discerned to be part of the treatment. The contents of the first two boxes being almost devoured, I set about opening the two remaining trunks which I had assumed would contain more of the same type of vitals. To my surprise and some little consternation, I found not a trace of consumables, with the exception of a large bag of salt. Rather, various items that seemed to indicate a rather longer stay here than I had up to now envisaged. These included candles, lucifers, a tinderbox, quantities of rope, axes, tools of varying descriptions and firearms with plentiful ammunition. I was stunned! I had been betrayed! This was no treatment, here were tools and such as led me to believe that I had been abandoned to my own devices, to live or die in this unknown environment.
The revelation came upon me, after having been here six weeks by my reckoning, that if not betrayed, I had been tricked most cruelly. After a great deal of thought and consideration, I took stock of my situation and resolved to carry on as though I had chosen this life.
Since that time, I have circumnavigated the island, traversing both ways round, with the exception of a sheer sided high promontory on the south side which was inaccessible from the shore. This trek, in whichever direction, took me from sun up to mid-afternoon and in that time, I encountered no trace of civilised life. I decided to venture inland. This was more difficult, necessitating sleeping, with much trepidation, under the stars. I always sought a clearing wherein to build a fire, thus gaining some protection from any predatory animals. I found no sign of large animals, birds a plenty of all shapes and hues and fruits of many edible varieties in abundance. I eventually climbed to the top of the aforementioned promontory which afforded excellent views over both land and sea. I was able to ascertain that I am certainly on an island. Also that there is what appears to be land just visible on the horizon, probably some fifty to seventy miles distant. Again, my inland explorations yielded no evidence of human occupation.
However, in these months, I have built me a shelter, which affords a modicum of comfort. With fish from the sea, fruit from the trees, small animals from my traps and, God be thanked, fresh water from one of three springs I have located, life here has much to offer. This said, I continue in the constant expectation of my daily lookouts being rewarded with the sight of a vessel drawing near to bring me back to my former life. Though I fear I shall never again be the person you once knew.
I remain yours in anticipation,
P Morgan
Image by Kristýna Mothejzíková
185 The Strand, London
Dear Sirs
I write to assure you of my continued existence and well-being. As not only guardians of my estate and affairs but family friends of long standing, I request you henceforth to desist from any actions on my behalf until, and unless, you have discussed the same with me face to face on return from my extended holiday. It is hardly necessary for me to add that whatever rumours you may hear concerning my safety should be totally ignored unless verified by our previously agreed code. What follows below is an account, for your interest, of my sojourn here to date.
When it was first mooted that I might benefit from some time alone spent reflecting upon events that have moulded my life to date, I was, I admit, somewhat apprehensive at the forms that this suggested sojourn might take. My apprehensions were, it would seem, in the passage of time, to have been groundless.
When first dropped off here, with such provisions as could reasonably be delivered to me, I was overcome with the beauty of the unspoilt beach and crystal clarity of the sea. Beyond the beach, rising in waves towards a backdrop of dark hills in a cloudless sky, was such greenery as I never before saw. This image occupied my thoughts for some minutes until it was overtaken by the realisation that there were no signs of any other human habitation. Had I been dropped at the wrong location? I thought not. My erstwhile companions would not have made such a basic mistake. No! It was their recommended spot.
Having decided that I must be in the right place, I took note of the sun’s position and calculated maybe six hours of daylight remaining. I had previously taken heed of the high water line and made haste to ensure that all my goods and provisions were stored safely above it. This done, it was my intention to take a walk along the shore to ascertain the whereabouts and amiability of the local inhabitants and perhaps dine with them should the opportunity arise. Alas this was not to be.
It is now six months since I fetched up on this beautiful island, for such I now know it to be. My general state of health is, I am pleased to report, excellent. The treatment devised for me by my former colleagues has been efficacious in the extreme, though I fear it was not intended to continue for quite as long as it has. I have lost some stones in weight and consequently am able to occupy my time with activities hitherto prohibited purely by my girth. I climb trees to pick fruit and to espy both land and sea, with an agility I could not have believed possible in the past. I swim in the sea for recreation and have become an accomplished fisherman, thus providing for my table a healthy and satisfying diet. These skills and activities, though pleasurable in themselves, have nevertheless been born out of necessity.
The original provisions supplied by my caring colleagues were indeed sufficient for my survival, albeit on a minimal diet, which I discerned to be part of the treatment. The contents of the first two boxes being almost devoured, I set about opening the two remaining trunks which I had assumed would contain more of the same type of vitals. To my surprise and some little consternation, I found not a trace of consumables, with the exception of a large bag of salt. Rather, various items that seemed to indicate a rather longer stay here than I had up to now envisaged. These included candles, lucifers, a tinderbox, quantities of rope, axes, tools of varying descriptions and firearms with plentiful ammunition. I was stunned! I had been betrayed! This was no treatment, here were tools and such as led me to believe that I had been abandoned to my own devices, to live or die in this unknown environment.
The revelation came upon me, after having been here six weeks by my reckoning, that if not betrayed, I had been tricked most cruelly. After a great deal of thought and consideration, I took stock of my situation and resolved to carry on as though I had chosen this life.
Since that time, I have circumnavigated the island, traversing both ways round, with the exception of a sheer sided high promontory on the south side which was inaccessible from the shore. This trek, in whichever direction, took me from sun up to mid-afternoon and in that time, I encountered no trace of civilised life. I decided to venture inland. This was more difficult, necessitating sleeping, with much trepidation, under the stars. I always sought a clearing wherein to build a fire, thus gaining some protection from any predatory animals. I found no sign of large animals, birds a plenty of all shapes and hues and fruits of many edible varieties in abundance. I eventually climbed to the top of the aforementioned promontory which afforded excellent views over both land and sea. I was able to ascertain that I am certainly on an island. Also that there is what appears to be land just visible on the horizon, probably some fifty to seventy miles distant. Again, my inland explorations yielded no evidence of human occupation.
However, in these months, I have built me a shelter, which affords a modicum of comfort. With fish from the sea, fruit from the trees, small animals from my traps and, God be thanked, fresh water from one of three springs I have located, life here has much to offer. This said, I continue in the constant expectation of my daily lookouts being rewarded with the sight of a vessel drawing near to bring me back to my former life. Though I fear I shall never again be the person you once knew.
I remain yours in anticipation,
P Morgan
Image by Kristýna Mothejzíková