鲁滨逊漂游记(英文版)

CHAPTERONE

ROBINSON’SADVENTUREATSEA

Iwasbornintheyear1632,inthecityofYorkinEnglish.Myfatherwasofgoodfamily.HewasamerchantfromBremeninGermany.HesettledinEnglandandmadehisfortuneintrade,andthenhemarried.Mymother’sfamilynamewasRobinson.IwasbaptisedRobinsonKreutznaer.However,inEnglandwewerealwayscalledCrusoe,somyfriendscallmeCrusoe.

IhavetwobrothersonebecameasoldierandwaskilledinabattleagainsttheSpaniards.Idonotknowwhathappenedtomyotherbrother.MyfatherhopedIwouldstudylaw,butIwantedtogotothesea.Althoughmymotherandfatherdidnotwantmego,mydesirewassostrongthatIignoredtheirwishes.

Myfatherwasawiseandseriousman.HesaidthatifIstayedathomemylifewouldbeeasyandpleasant.Onlydesperatemenorveryfortunemenwantabroad,hesaid.Iwasneitherdesperatenorveryfortune.Minewasthemiddlestate,andhethoughtthemiddlestatewasthebest.Thepoorhadadifficultlife,andtherichwerehatedbythepoor,saidhe.Inthemiddlestateamancouldbehappy.Kingsoftenregrettedthattheywerenotborninthemiddlestate,andwisemenprayedtohaveneitherpovertynorwealth.Hesaidthegreatestmisfortunesinlifeweresufferedbytherichandthepoor.Onlythemaninthemiddlestatecanliveinpeace.Hesaidthatmoderation,quietness,andgoodhealthweretheconditionsofthemiddlestate.

Hebeggedmenottoabandonthishappycondition.Hetoldmethathehadbeggedmybrothernottobeeasoldierforthesamereasons.However,mybrotherhadrunawaytothearmy,andnowhewasdead.HesaidthatGodwouldnotblessmeifIwenttosea,andthatIwouldbesorryIhadignoredmyfather’sadvice.

Duringthelastpartofhisdiscoursethetearsrandownhisface,especiallywhenhespokeofmybrother.WhenhesaidthatIwouldregretmychoice,hewassomovedthathecouldsaynomore.

Iwassincerelyaffectedbyhiswordsanddecidednottothinkofgoingabroadanymore.Butalas.InafewdaysIbegantodreamoftheseaagain.Ispoketomymother.ItoldherthatIstilldesiredtogototheseaandthatnothingelsewouldmakemehappy.IsaidthatIwaseighteenyearsold,toooldtobeginanotherprofession.Iaskedhertopersuademyfathertoletmegotosea.

Thismadeherveryangry.Shesaidthatitwouldbeuselesstospeaktomyfather.IfIwantedtoruinmyself,shesaid,therewasnothingsheormyfathercoulddotostopme.However,theywouldneveragreetoit.

Ayearlater,Iranofftosea.Thisishowithappened.OnedayIwenttotheportofHull.AfriendofminewasgoingbyseatoLondoninhisfather’sship.Heaskedmetogowithhim.Sinceitwouldcostmenothing,Idecidetogo,evennottellingmotherandfather.ThusonthefirstofSeptember1651Iwentonboardashipforthefirsttime.

Assoonastheshipwasatsea,thewindbegantoblow.Ifeltverysickandfrightened.IthoughtthatGodwaspunishingmeforleavingmyfather’shouse.Thestormgrewworst,althoughitwasnotasbadasmanyIhaveseensince.ItwasnotevenasbadasthestormIsawjustafewdayslater,butitfrightenedmethen.Ithoughttheseawouldswallowus.IsworetoGodthat,ifIlived,Iwouldreturntomyfather’shouseandnevergotoseaagain.

Thenextdaytheseagrewclamandthesunshone.Inolongerfeltsickorfrightened.Myfriendsaid,‘well,Bob,howdoyoufeel?Wereyouafraid?

“Itwasaterriblestorm,''saidI.

“Doyoucallthatastorm?Saidhe.”Thatwasnothing.Let’sdrinksomerumandforgetaboutit.”

Wedranktherum,andIforgotmypromisetoGod.Afewdayslater,therewasareallyterriblestorm.Thewaveswereashighasmountains.Iwasveryfrightened,IfeltsorrythatIhadforgottenmypromisetoGod.

Thesailorsbegantocryoutthattheshipwouldfounder.Fortunately,Ididnotknowwhattheword“founder”meant.IsawthecaptainandsomeothersprayingtoGod.Atlastwewererescuedbyaboatfromanothership.Asweescaped,wesawourshipgodown.ItwasonlythenthatIunderstoodtheword“founder”.

Whenwereachedtheshore,thepeoplewereverykindtous.TheygaveusmoneytoreturnHullorcontinuetoLondon,aswepleased.IfIhadreturnedhome,Iwouldhavebeenhappy.Myfather,likethefatherinChrist’sstoryoftheprodigalson,wouldhaveweledme.ButIwasfoolish,andIdidnotgohome.

Thecaptain,whowasmyfather’sfriend,saidtome,‘Youngman,youshouldnevergotoseaagain’.

“Why,sir?”saidI.”Willyounevergotoseaagain?”

“Thatisdifferent,”saidthecaptain.”Theseaismyprofession.Itismudutytogotosea,butyoumadethisvoyagetoseeifyoulikedit.Godhasshownyouthattheseaisnotforyou,perhapsthatiswhymyshipfoundered.YouarelikeJonahoftheBiblestory.IamsorryIeverallowedyouonmyship.”

IwenttoLondonbyland.Howunwiseyoungpeopleare！Theyarenotafraidtosin,buttheyareafraidtoseemfoolish！IsignedupforvoyagetoAfrica.Ishouldhavesignedupasasailor.Icouldhavelearnedthesailor’sprofession.Intime,Imightevenhavebeeacaptain,however,Ialwaysmadetheworstchoice,andIchosetogoseaasagentleman.ThereforeIhadnodutiesontheship,andIhavenochanceoflearningtobeasailor.

ImetthecaptainofashipthathadbeenonthecoastofAfrica.Hehadmadegoodprofitsfromthevoyageandwaseagertogoagain.Heaskedmetogowithhimashispanion.HesaidIneednotpayforthevoyage.IfIhadanymoney,hesaid,hewouldshowmehowtomakeaprofitintrade.

Iacceptedtheoffer,andbeefriendwiththecaptain,whowasagoodandhonestman.Followingthecaptain’sadvice,Ispentaboutfortypoundsonthingsoflittlevalue.TheseIcouldtradeforgoldonthecoastofAfrica.

Thevoyagewasagreatsuccessforme.Indeed,itwasmyonlysuccessfulvoyage.Myfriendthecaptaintaughtmetheskillsofbothasailorandamerchant.Ibroughthomefivepoundsnineounceofgold,whichIsoldinLondonfornearlythreehundredpounds.

SoonafteroutreturntoEnglish,myfrienddied,Idecidedtodothesamevoyageagainandsigneduponthesomeshipwithitsnewcaptain.AsweapproachedthecoastofAfrica.WewerepursuedbyaTurkishship.Afterashortbattle,theTurkishshipwasvictorious,andwewerealltakenasprisonerstotheportofSallee.

ThecaptainofTurkishshipmademehisslave.Iwashorrifiedbythissurprisingchangefrommerchanttomiserableslave.Iremembermyfather’sprophesythatIwouldbemiserable,andIrealizedthatithadindeedbeenfulfilled.

Afterabouttwoyearsofslavery,Isawmychanceofescape.Oneday,mymastersentmeoutfishingwithhisbrotherIsmaelandablackslaveboycalledXury.Thefishingboatwasfulloffood,gunsandfreshwater.Whilewewerefishing,IpushedIsmaelintothesea.Hecriedforhelp.Ipointedagunathimandsaid,’Iwillnothurtyou,ifyoudoasIsay.Youswimwellenoughtoreachtheshore.Go,swimtotheshoreandletusalone.Ifyounot,Iwillshootyouinthehead,forIwantmyliberty.’

Ismealswamawayfromtheship,andIturnedtotheslaveboy.‘Xury'saidI,

‘Ifyouwillbefaithfultome,Iwillmakeyouagreatman.Ifnot,Iwillthrowyouintotheseatoo'.Theboysmiledandpromisedtobefaithfultome.

WesailedalongthecoastofAfrica,closetotheshore.Sometimesweheardlionsandotherwildbeasts.Weneededfreshwater,butwewereafraidtogoashore,forfearofwildbreastsandsavages.Xurysaidthathewouldgoashoretogetwater,andIshouldwaitintheboat.

‘Whyshouldyougo,Xury?'Iasked.’whyshouldInotgo,andyouwaitintheboat?’

Xuryrepliedinwordsthatmademelovehimeverafter:‘Ifwildmene,theywilleatme,andyouwillescape.’

‘Well,Xury,’Isaid,‘wewillbothgo.Ifwildmenewewillkillthem,andtheywilleatneitherofus.’Wewentashoreandgotfreshwater.Aswewerereturningtotheboat,wesawaliononthebeach,forIthoughtitmightbeofsomevalue.Wesailedalongthecoastfortendays.IhopedthatwewouldmeetaEuropeantradingshipandbesaved,butwedidnotmeetone.

Sometimeswesawpeopleontheshore.Theirskinwasblack,andtheywerenaked.OnceIthoughtofgoingashoretomeetthem,butXuryadvisedagainstit.Imadesignstothemthatweneededfood.Theybroughtmeatandgrainandleftitonthebeachforus.Imadesignstothankthembuthadnothingtogivetheminpayment.

However,wesoonhadthechancetodothemagreatservice.Justaswereachedourboat,aleopardcamerunningdownfromthemountaintowardsthebeach.Ishotitdead.TheNegroeswereamazedandterrifiedbythesoundofmygun.Whentheysawthattheleopardwasdead,theyapproachedhim.Theywishedtoeatthefreshofthisanimal.Imadesignstotellthemthattheycouldhavehim,andtheybegancuttinghimup.Theycutofftheskinandgaveittome.

LeavingmyfriendlyNegroes,Isailedonforelevendays.AsweapproachedCapeVerde,Xurycriedout,‘master!Aship!’IsawthatitwasaPortugueseship.Isailedtowardsit,andinthreehoursIreachedit.

ThenmenontheshipaskedmewhoIwas.WhenItoldthemmystory,theywereverykind.Theytookmeonboardtheirshipwithallmypropertyfromtheboat.Iofferedallmypropertytothecaptain,tothankhimforsavingme,buthewouldnottakeit.HesaidtheyweresailingtoBrazil.Hesaidthatmypropertywouldbereturnedtomewhenwearrived.Heofferedtobuymyboatfromme.Hepaidmeeightypiecesofeightforit.HealsoofferedmesixtypiecesofeightformyboyXury.Ididnotwanttosellthepoorboy’slibertybecausehehadhelpedmetoescapefromslavery,thenthecaptainofferedtosetXuryfreeintenyearsifhebecameaChristian.Xurysaidhewaswillingtogowithhim,soIletthecaptainhavehim.

About22dayslaterwelandedinAllSaints’BayinBrazil,Iwillneverforgetthecaptain’skindness.Hebroughtalotofmypropertyfromtheboat.Ilefttheshipwithtwohundredandtwentyofeight.

InBrazilIsawhowwellthesugarplanterslived.Theygrewrichquickly.IdecidedtosettleinBrazilandbecameasugarplanter.Thefirsttwoyearwasdifficult,butthenmyplantationgrewprosperous.IwassorrythatIhadsoldmyboyXury,forIneededhelp.Iwasnothappyinmynewlife.Thiswasthemiddlestateofwhichmyfatherhadspoken.Ioftensaidtomyself,‘Icouldhavedonethisathome,insteadofingfivethousandmilestodoitamongstrangersandsavages.

IthoughtIwaslikeamanstrandedaloneuponanisland.Neverpareyoursituationtoaworseone!Godmayplaceyouintheworsesituation,sothatyoulongforyouroldlife!Isay,GodwasjusttoleavemeonanislandwhereIreallywasalone!IfIhadbeencontenttostayasIwas,Iwouldhavebeenrichandhappy.Byleavingmeonanisland,Godmademeunderstandthis.

ThecaptainofthePortugueseshipadvisedmetosendforsomemoney.IhadleftmymoneywithfriendinLondon.Myfriendsentmethemoneyintheformofgoods.Whentheyarrived,Ithoughtthatmyfortunewasmade.Isoldthegoodsatagreatprofitforaboutfourhundredpounds.AssoonasIgotthismoney,IbroughtmyselfaNegroslave.

Afterfouryears,Ihadlearnedthelanguageandmadesomefriendsamongmyfellowplanters.ItoldthemofthetradeinNegroslavesonthecoast,‘Ifamerchanttakesknives,hatchets,andotherthingsoflittlevalue.’Isaid,‘hecaneasilytradethemforgoldandNegroslaves.’

Theylistenedveryattentively,especiallytothepartaboutbuyingslaves.TherewereveryfewslavesinBrazilatthetime,andtheycostalotofmoney.Threeplanterscametomenextmorning.TheysaidtheyplannedtobuyashipandsailtotheAfricancoasttobuyslaves.Theywantedtomakeonevoyageonly,thensharetheslavesamongtheirplantations.TheyaskedmeifIwouldgoonthisvoyage,andtheypromisedthatIwouldhaveashareofslaveswithoutspendinganymoney.

Iagreedtogo.IwentaboardtheshiponthefirstofSeptember1659,exactlyeightyearsaftermyfirstvoyagefromHull.WesailedupthecoasttoCapeStAugustine,andthenwelostsightofland.Twelvedayslater,ahurricanehitourship.Fortwelvedaysthewindsblewstrongly.EverydayIexpectedtheseatoswallowus.

Onthetwelfthday,theweatherwasalittlecalmer.Theshipwasfillingwithwater,soIadvisedthecaptaintosailforBarbados.Aswesailedanotherstormhitus.Thewindblewusfarawayfromthetradingroutes.Ifwecametoland,wewouldprobablybeeatenbysavages.

Onemorning,asailorcriedout,‘land!’weranouttolook,butatthatmomenttheshipstrucksand.Thewavesbrokeovertheship,andwethoughtwewouldalldie.

Wecouldnotmovetheshipoffthesand.Weweresurethattheshipwouldsoonbreakintopieces.Therefore,weclimbedintoaboatandlefttheship.Werowedthroughthatwildwatertowardstheland,knowingthatwewererowingtowardsourgreatestdanger.Thenagreatwavecameandtheboatturnedover.

ThoughIwasagoodswimmer,Icouldnotgetmybreathinthisstormysea.Awavecarriedmealongtowardstheshore.Itleftmeonthesand,half-drowned.Istoodupandwalkedfasttowardsthebeach.Iknewanotherwavewouldsoonbreakoverme.Thesearosebehindmelikeamountain.Iheldmybreath,andthewavecarriedmeclosertotheshore.Itriedtostandupandgetmybreathagainbutanotherwavebrokeoverme.Iwascarriedwithgreatforceandspeedtowardstheshore.Thenmyheadshotabovethewateragain,thenthatwavetoobegantowithdraw.

Ifelttheearthundermyfeet.Irantowardstheshore,buttwicemorethewavescameoverme.Thelasttimenearlykilledme.Theseathrewmehardagainstarock.Iheldontotherockasthenextwavebrokeoverme.Whenthewavewithdraw,Irantothebeach,climbedovertherocks,andlaydownonthegrass.

Chaptertwo

LookedupandthankedGodforsavingmylife.Ashorttimebeforetherehadseemedtobenohope.Itisimpossibletodescribethejoyofsomeonewhohasjustescapeddeath.Ialonehadsurvived;allmypanionsweredead.WhenIsawhowfarawaytheshipwas,IwasamazedthatIhadbeenabletogettoshore.

Ithenbegantolookaroundme,toseewhatkindofaplaceIwasin.Myjoyleftme.Iwaswet,Ihadnootherclothes,andIhadnothingtoeatordrink.SurelyIwoulddieofstarvationorbeeatenbywildanimals.Ihadnogunwithwhichtohuntforfoodordefendmyself.ForawhileIranaround,tremblingandcrying.Nightcame.Iwalkedaround,lookingforfreshwater.WhenIfoundsome,Idrank,andthenIclimbedupatreetosleep.

WhenIawokethesunwasshining.Thewaveshadmovedtheshipclosertotheshoreduringthenight.Irealizedthatifwehadstayedonboarduswouldallhavesurvivedthestorm.Thisthoughtmadethetearsrundownmyface.

Itookoffmyclothesandswamtotheship.Iclimbedaboardandlookedaround.Theship’sstoreoffoodwasnotwet;Ineededaboatorrafttocarrythegoodsbacktotheshore.Therewereseverallargepiecesofwoodontheship.Ithrowthemintotheseathenjumpedinmyselftiedthemalltogetherwithrope.Inthisway,afteralotoftimeandeffort,Imadearaft.

Ithenloadedtheraftwithfood;clothes,tools,guns,andbullets,allpackedinwoodenboxes.Igotontotheraftandreturnedtotheshore.AshortdistancefromwhereIhadlandedthenightbefore,Isawariver.Ilandedtheraftalittlewayuptheriverandgotallmygoodsonshore.

IdidnotyetknowwhetherIwasonthemainlandoronanisland.Ilookagunandclimbedahill.FromthetopofthehillIsawthatIwasonanisland.Isawmanybirds,noanimalsorpeople.Onmywaybackdownthehill,Ishotabird.Ibelieveitwasthefirstgunfiredtheresincethecreationoftheworld.Atthesound,thousandsofbirdsrosescreamingintotheair.

ThateveningIsetwoodenboardsandboxesaroundmetoprotectmeasIslept.ThenextdayIreturnedtotheship.ThistimeIgotahammockblankets,hatchets,aperspectiveglassandsails,Ibroughteverythingintothetentthatcouldberuinedbyrainandsun,thenImadeabedandsleptinitquietlyallnight,forIwasverytiredformtheworkoftheday.

Ihadthelargeststore,Ibelieve,thatwaseverlaidupforoneman.However,Iwassatisfied.Theshiphadnotyetbrokentopieces,andIthoughtshouldgeteverythingIcouldoutofher.EverydayIwenttotheshipandbroughtbackmoregoods.Ibroughtbread,rum,sugar,andmanyotherthingsbacktomytent.

Finallytherewasnothingmoretotakeoutoftheship.Ithenbegantotakepiecesoftheshipitself.Iron,nails,andrope–IcarriedawayeverythingIcould.

Ihadnowbeenontheislandforthirteendaysandhadbeeneleventimesonboardtheship.IthinkthatiftheweatherhadremainedcalmIwouldhavebroughtthewholeshipawaypiecebypiece.

ThelasttimeIwenttotheshipIfoundmoney.Ismiledandsaid,‘oh,drug!Whatareyougoodfor?Oneknifeisworthmoretomethanallthismoney.Iwillleaveyouhere!Youareacreaturewhoselifeisnotworthsaving!’However,onsecondthoughts,Itookitaway.

Thencloudscoveredtheskyandthewindbegantoblow.Iwenthometomytent.WhereIlaywithallmywealtharoundme,verysecure.Therewasabadstormthatnight.Inthemorningtheshipwasgone.

Inowbegantothinkaboutprotectingmyselffromsavagesandwildanimals.Iwantedtobuildmyhouseinaplacethatwasnearafreshwatersupply.Itshouldbeshelteredfromthesun.Itshouldbesavingfromattack.Finally,itshouldfacethesea,sothatIcouldseeanyshipthatcameneartheisland.(Istillhopetoberescued).

Ifoundalittleflatshelfonthesideofthehill.Therewasacliffbehindit,sothatnothingcouldattackmefrombehind.Infront,thehilldescendedtothebeach.Itwasonthenorthsideofthehill,sothatitwasshelteredfromthesunallday.

Ibuildmytentagainstthecliff.ThenIbuiltahigh,strong,woodenfenceinasemicirclearoundthefrontofmytent.Imadealadder.WentIwasinside,Icouldbringtheladderinafterme.Inthiswayneithermannorbeastcouldentermyhouse.

Ittookalotoftimeandefforttocarryallmygoodsinside.ThenIbegantodigoutacaveinthecliffbehindmytent,becauseIneededaplacetostoremyproperty.Afterabigstorm,Iwasafraidthatlightningmightstrikemygreatboxofgunpowder.Therefore,Imademanysmallboxandputthegunpowderinthem.TheseIhidinplacessecurefromlightning.

EverydayIwenttohunting.Thereweregoatsontheisland.Ishotashe-goatthathadalittlekidbyher.Thismademeverysad.WhenIcarriedthedeadshe-goattomyhouse,thekidfollowedme,butitwouldnoteat.Iwasthereforeforcedtokillitandeatit.

Ithoughtaboutmysituationalot.ThestormhadblowntheshiphundredsofmilesawayfromtheEuropeantradingroutes.Therefore,Ithought,itwasGod’swillthatIshouldspendtherestofmylifeonthismiserableisland.IoftenaskedmyselfwhyGodchosetoruinhiscreatures.Itseemedhardlyrationaltobethankfulforsuchalife.

Thenoneday,whenIwaswalkingonthebeachwithmygun,Ithought,’certainlyyouaremiserable,butwhathappenedtotheothers?Youalonewerefortunateenoughtosurvive.Isitbettertobeonthisislandoratthebottomofthesea?’

ThenIthoughthowwell-equippedtomeiftheshiphadnotbeenblownclosertoshore?Thathappychanceallowedmetotakeallthesethingsfromtheship.HowwouldIhavelivedwithoutgunsandbullets,tool,andclothes?

IwasafraidthatIwouldforgetwhatdayitwas.ImightevenforgettheSabbath.Therefore,Iplantedagreatwoodencrossonthebeach,andonitIcarvedthesewordswithmyknife:’Icameonshorehereonthe30ofSeptember1659’.UponthesidesofthepostImadeasmallcutwithmyknifeeverymonth.

IforgottosaybeforethatamongthethingsItookfromtheshipwassomeCatholicprayerbooksandthressBibles.Therewerealsotwocatsandadogonboardtheship.Icarriedthecatsbackwithmetotheisland.Thedogjumpedintotheseaandswamafterme.

ItriedtofortmyselfbylistingthefortsIenjoyedbesidethemiseriesIsufferedlikethis:

Iamstrandedonanisland,withnohopeofbeingsaved.

Ihavebeensingledout.Ialongamchosentoleadthismiserablelife.

Iamseparatedfrommankind.

withouthumansociety.

Ihavenoclothestocoverme.

Ihavenomeansofdefendingmyselfagainstattackbymanorbeast.

Ihavenosoultospeakto.

ButIamalive,notdrowned

asweretheothermenontheship.

ButIhavealsobeensingledoutto

Survive,andHewhosavemecan

delivermefromthiscondition.

ButIamnotstarving.There

Isfoodontheisland.

Buttheweatherishot,andIdonot

needclothes.

ButIseenowildbeastson

Thisisland,whatifIhadbeen

ShipwreckonthecoastofAfrica,whereIsawthelionandthe

Leopard?

ButGodsenttheshipnearenough

totheshorethatIhavebeenableto

supplymyselfwithmanythings.

Thisshowedmeclearlythatenveinthemostmiserableconditionstherearethingsforwhichtobethankful.

RobinsonCrusoe’sJournal

September30,1659.I,poormiserableRobinsonCrusoe,wasshipwreckedneartheshoreofthisunfortunateisland,whichIcalltheislandofDespair.

October1toOctober24.IspentmytimegettingallIcouldoutoftheship.Itoftenrainedduringthisdays,thisbeingtherainyseason.

October25.Itrainedalldayandnight.Thebadweatherbroketheshipintopieces.Ispentthisdayhidingmygoodsfromtherain,

October26toOctober30.Ifoundaplaceinwhichtobuildmyhouseandworkedveryhardcarryingallmypropertytothisplace.

October31.Iwentoutwithmyguntofindfood.Ishotashe-goat.

November1.Isetupmytentandmyhammock.

November2.Isetwoodenboxesandboardstoformafencearoundmytent.

November3.Iwentoutwithmygunandkilledtwobirds,whichwereverygoodfood.IntheafternoonIbegantomakemyselfatable.

November4.ThismorningIbegantoplanmytime.EverymorningafterthisIwalkedoutwithmygunfortwoorthreehoursifitdidnotrain.Iworkeduntilabouteleveno’clock,thenIate.Fromtwelvetotwo,whenitwasveryhot,Islept.Inthe

EveningIworkedagain.

November5.Thisdaywentoutwithmygunandmydog.Ikilledawildcat.Herskinwassoft,butIcouldnoteatthemeat.IskinnedeverycreaturethatIkilledandkepttheskin.

November6.Ifinishedmytablebutwasnotsatisfiedwithit.

November7.Nowtheweatherbegantobepleasant.FormtheseventhtothetwelfthIworkedatmakingmyselfachair(exceptfortheeleventh,whichwasaSunday).Iwasnotsatisfiedwiththechair.

Note:IsoonforgotwhichdayswasSunday,havingforgottentomakethelongercutonthepost.

November13.Thisdayisrained,whichcooledtheearthandrefreshedme.Therewasterriblethunderandlightning.Idecidedtoseparatemypowderedintomymanysmallboxesandtostorethemfarfromeachother.

November14,15,and16.Ispentthesethreedaysmakinglittleboxesformypowder.OnoneofthesedaysIkilledalargebirdthatwasgoodtoeat,butIdonotknowitsname.

November17.ThisdayIbegantodigintherockbehindmytenttomakeacaveinwhichtoshoremygoods.

Note:Ineededtwothingsforthiswork–apick–axeandashovel.Istoppedmyworktomakethesetools.Imadeapick-axeoutofthepiecesofironIhadtakenfromtheship,butIhadnoideahowtomakeashovel.

November18.InthewoodsIfoundanirontree,socalledbecauseitswoodsareveryhard.Withgreatdifficulty,Icutapieceofthiswood,carriedithome,andcarveitintotheformofashovel.Themakingofthesetoolstookmefourdays.

November23.Ibeganworkonthecaveagainandworkedforeighteendays.Attheendofthattime,thecavewaslargeenoughtoholdallmygoods.

November10.JustwhenIhadfinishedmycave.Therooffellin.Thisfrightenedme.IfIhadbeeninsideatthetimeIwouldhavebeenkilled.Icarriedoutallthefallenearthandbuiltpropstoholduptheroofsothatitwouldnotfalldownagain.

December17.Fromthisdaytothetwenty-seventh,Ibuiltshelves.

December20.Icarriedallmypropertyintothecaveandputeverythinginorder.

December24.Itrainedalldayandnight,sothatIcouldnotgoout.

December25.Rainallday.

December26.Norain.Theearthwasmuchcoolerthanbefore.

December27.Ikilledayounggoatandshotanotherintheleg.Iledthewoundedgoathomeandtookcareofit.Itlivedandgrewtame.Itatethegrassaroundmyhouseandwouldnotgoaway.Thisgavemetheideaofbreedingthegoatssothattheywouldgrowuptameandprovidemewithfoodwhenmygunpowderwasfinished.

January3toApril14.Ibuiltafencearoundmyhouse.Icutbranchesfromtreesandplantedthemdeepintheground.Afterawhile,theybegantogrow,sothatmyfencelookedlikeanaturalthing.

Chapterthree

Oneday,Ifoundamongmygoodsalittlebagthathadonceheldgrainonboardourship.Idecidedtouseittostoremypowder,soIshookitoutneartherockoutsidemyhouse.Soonafterwardstherainscame.Amonthlater,Isawsomeyoungplantsgrowingthere.Ihadforgottenallaboutthegrainbag.Whentheplantsgrew,IwassurprisedtoseethatsomewereourEnglishbarleyandotherswererice.

Uptothispoint,Ihadverylittleideasofreligion.Ithoughtofeverythingthathadhappenedtomeaschance.WhenIsawEnglishbarleygrowingthere.Ithoughtitwasamiracle.Godhadmadeitgrowtheretofortme.

Thisthoughtbroughttearstomyeyes.ThenIrememberedshuckingoutthebaginthatplacejustbeforetherainscame.Thisrammedmymind.Ithoughtthegrainhadgrowntherebychance,andsoIfeltlessthankfultogod.ButIshouldhavebeenthankfulanyways,becausethechanceofgraingrowingtherewasverysmall.Bychancetenortwelvegrainsofbarelyandricehadmamamedinthebottomofthebag.BychanceIhadshakenoutthebagintheshadeoftherock,whereitwasoftherock,whereitwasprotectedfromthesun.Icarefullysavedthegraintoplantagain,hopingtogrowenoughtosupplymewithbread.

April16.Ifinishedmyladder.Withthislcouldclimboverthefence.Thefencewasnowthickandhigh.Fromoutside,