ROBINSON CRUSOF. 415

to my old one, taking with me my grapes, which were now be-
come fine raisins of the sun.

Thad been concerned for the loss of one of my cats; but
about this time she came home, and increased my family with
three kittens, she having bred, as I supposed, by a wild cat, of
which there wei me in the woods, and they soon multiplied
so fast, that I was obliged to drive them from me,

The rainy and dry seasons now appeared quite regular to me.
T dug a piece of ground as well as I could with a wooden spade
of my own making, and began to sow my own grain; but as I
was doing it, it occurred to my thoughts, that I would not sow
all, for fear it should not grow, so I reserved about a handful of
cach sort ; and well it was I did so; for it did not come up till
anany months afterwards. When I saw it did not grow, I
sought for moister ground, and dug up a piece nearer my bower,
which answered to my wishes ; and my crop amounted to about
half a peck of cach kind: by this means I was made master of
my business ; knew when to sow, and that I might expect two
seed-times and two harvests every year ; for the corn I set first
came up after the next wet season,

When the rains were over, I made a visit to my bower, where
1 found the stakes I set for my defence were shot up into trees,
which I pruned, and made as much alike as possible ; and they
hecame a complete shade, ‘This was my work in the dry sea
son; and to employ myself when I could not go abroad, I made
baskets, having, when a child, taken much delight to sce a
basket-maker.

Inone of the dry seasons, I took another ramble, armed with
my gun and hatehet, and guarded by my faithful dog. When
I had passed the valley in which stood my bower, [ came within
view of the sea, and it being a clear day, I plainly discovered
land; but whether island or continent, I could not tell; I