A, then, is a comfortable and picturesque four-roomed cottage.  B is the stable for my noble steed, Edward.  C is the store-house, with loft over for straw, etc., for said noble quadruped.  In the store I keep my utensils and implements for farm work, potatoes, flour, coals, and other heavy goods.  D, sheltered garden for winter crops; F, the vegetable and fruit garden, in the midst of which stands an immense and very prolific mulberry tree; it spreads its branches fifty-four feet from north to south, and fifty-one feet from east to west.  The garden contains fruit trees of all kinds.  E, the Seignieurie or Government House—­my palace—­or, in plain words, a solid stone-built four-roomed house that might stand a siege.  The front windows look out over the lawn, G, to the sea beyond, and those at the back command the well-walled-in fruit garden, F. H is devoted to shrubs and medicinal herbs.  J is the flower-garden with a summer-house in the corner.  K, the well of excellent water.  L, flight of stone steps to the lower path leading round the island.  M, pigeon-tower and fowl-house amidst walnut trees.  N, Plantation and forest trees.  O, watch house, once used as a strong room or prison.  P, an old iron gun (mounted on a stone platform, which would probably fall to pieces at the first discharge) for summoning aid in case of sickness or distress.  Q, road to fishing-store and boathouse.  R, path up the hill to the piggery.

I think the reader may, from the foregoing, form some idea of the island and homestead, as I have taken him all round the former, and pointed out, although very briefly, the various portions of the latter.  I have wasted no time nor ink in so doing, as he like myself, will doubtless find more pleasure in the narrative which commences in the succeeding chapter.  A fair idea of the island is necessary, so as clearly to understand some of the incidents which are placed before the reader, and I trust I have said sufficient to enable him to follow me in what I have to tell of my sojourn on the pretty, though solitary island of Jethou.

A glance at the accompanying map will give a good idea of the various places in Jethou mentioned in this story.

[Illustration:  Decorative scroll]

[Illustration:  PLAN OF HOMESTEAD 1890]

[Illustration:  Decorative chapter heading]

CHAPTER IV.

FARMING OPERATIONS—­I MAKE A PLOUGH AND A CART—­A DONKEY HUNT—­DUMB HELPERS—­MY LIVE STOCK.

My first few days were spent pleasantly enough, but as soon as the sun had set my spirits would droop, and I felt anything but jolly, but like Mark Tapley, I firmly made up my mind to be happy under all circumstances.

I had a deal of unpacking to do, and determined, as my stay was to be a lengthy one, “to find a place for everything, and keep everything in its place.”  My initial motto was a good one, and I worked for quite a week scheming and contriving all kinds of receptacles and appliances for my heterogeneous goods and chattels.