Page:Life and Adventures of William Buckley.djvu/39

16 I may consider this as being my first permanent resting-place; for the sort of food I had had since I left the ship, and particularly latterly, and the irregularity of my supplies, sometimes starving, and at others, eating to repletion, had occasioned sores, and painful eruptions to break out all over my body, so as to make walking very difficult and painful. I resolved therefore on remaining at this place until I was recovered, and particularly as there was a fine stream of fresh water rushing out of a high rock, near which, I had determined to erect a shelter of branches of trees, and sea-weed. It was a work of great labour for a sick man, but I persevered and finally completed my sea-beach home in about three or four days; there I remained several months. In addition to my supply of shell fish, I found also in great abundance a creeping plant, the flavour of which is very much like that of the common water melon—rather insipid, but very refreshing. I also discovered a kind of currant, black and white, so that I fared sumptuously every day, and rapidly recovered my strength, mentally and bodily. I remember a fancy coming over me, that I could have remained at that spot all the rest of my life; but this solitary desire was but temporary, for, as it was never intended that man should live alone, so are implanted in his nature, social feelings, and thoughts instinctively leading to the comforts of home, be it ever so homely, and yearnings for society, be it ever so humble.