Page:Life and adventures of Robinson Crusoe (2).pdf/12

12 something. On my seventh voyage I brought away a great hogshead of bread, three large runlets of rum, a box of fine sugar, and a barrel of fine flour.

I had been thirteen days on shore, and had been eleven times on board the ship, but in one of these excursions I had the misfortune to overset my raft; but it being in shoal water, and the things being chiefly heavy, I recovered many of them when the tide was out. Indeed, had the calm weather continued, I believe I should havo brought away the wholo ship, piece by piece; but preparing the twelfth time to go on board, I found the wind began to rise; however, at low water I went; rummaging the cabin, I discovered a locker with drawers in it, in one of which I found two or three razors and a pair of large scissors, with ten or a dozen good knives and forks: and in another about thirty-six pounds in value of gold and silver coin. At the sight of this money I smiled to myself, and said, “O drug! what art thou good for? One of these knives is worth all this heap; I have no manner of use for thee: e’en remain where thou art, and go to the bottom.” However, upon second thoughts, I took it away, and wrapping it all in a piece of canvas, began to think of making another raft; but while I was preparing it, the wind began to rise, and blow off shore: I then found that it was time to be gone, lest I should not be able to reach the shore; accordingly I let myself down into the water, and swam to land, which I performed with great difficulty, from the weight of things I had about me, and the roughness of the water.

It blew very hard all night, and in the morning when I looked out, no more ship was to be seen. I now went in search of a place where I might fix my dwelling, endeavouring to chooso one where I might have the advantage of a healthy situation, fresh water, and security from being surprised by man or beast. I found a little plain on the side of a rising hill, which was there as steep as the side of a house, so that nothing could come down to me from the top. On the side of this rock was a hollow place, like the entrance of a cave, before which I resolved to fix my tent. This plain was not above 100 yards broad, and twice as long, descending to the sea.

Before I set up my tent, I drew a half eircle before the hollow place, which extended twenty yards; and in this half circle pitched two rows of strong stakes, driving them into the ground like piles. Then I took the pieces of eable I had cut in the ship, and laid them in rows one upon another at the top; and this fence was so strong, that neither man nor beast could well enter it. Tho entrance I made by a short ladder to go over the top, which when I was in I lifted over after me. Into this fence, I by degrees carried all my riches, all my provisions,