After some little conversation, he abruptly asked me what quarter of the world I came from.
"I am an American," was my not very definite reply.
"O," he remarked, with a significant wink, which was evidently intended as a good-natured hint, "you are from Canada, or Nova Scotia, I suppose." "No, sir," said I, emphatically, determined that my position should be distinctly understood, "I was born in the town of Tyngsboro, in the state of Massachusetts, and am a citizen of the United States." Having a vague suspicion that the Pearl estate was not the paradise described by Bohun, I inquired why the manager had left the estate so abruptly.
"Because he is attacked with fever, and would not live forty-eight hours if he remained here." I was shocked at this announcement, and pursued my inquiries.

"Is fever a common occurrence on this plantation, or is this sickness of the manager an extraordinary case ?" "Common enough, in all conscience," replied Murray, with a laugh.

"Mr.
Orr is the second manager who has been driven off by sickness within the last six months.

Two overseers have died within a year, one after the other, and until Mr.Church met with YOU, no one could be found to take the place, which has been vacant several weeks." This was interesting intelligence, but I continued my inquiries.

"If the estate is so unhealthy as you represent, why are YOU willing to remain here ?" "O, my stay here will be only a few days, or weeks, at most.