ROBINSON CRUSOF. 4it

 

to think of making another raft, but while I was preparing i
the wind hegan to rise, and to blow off shore : I then found it
was time to he gone, lest I should not be able to reach the
shore: accordingly J let myself down into the water, and swam
to land.

It blew very hard all night, and in the morning when I
looked out no more ship was to be scen. I now went in search
of a place where I might fix my dwelling, endeavouring to
choose one where I might have the advantage of a healthy situa-
tion, fresh water, and securi 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 one side of this rock was a hollow place like the entrance
of un cave, before which I resolved to fix my tent. This plain
was not above one hundred yards broad, and twice as long,
descending to the sea, Before I set up my tent, I drew a half
circle hefore 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, sharpened on the top: then I
took the pieces of cable I had cut in the ship, and laid them in
rows, one upon another, up to the top ; and this defence was so
strong, that neither man nor beast could enter it. ‘The entrance
1 made bya short ladder to go over the top, which when I was
in I lifted afterime. Into this fence I by degrees carried all my
riches, all my provisions, ammunition, and stores, and made me
a large tent to sccure myself and them from the weather.
When Thad done this I began to work my way into the rock,
laying all the earth und stones I dug out within my fence, in
the manner of a terrace ; and thus I had a cave just behind my
hut. But hefore the above works were completed, a sudden
storm of thunder and lightning filled me with the greatest terror ;
for my powder suddenly darted into my mind, and my heart