OR THE DESERT ISLAND. 67

He was not apprehensive of dying from hunger; for he
knew that in that latitude he could always find on the
beach either turtles or the eggs of that animal. Whilst
he was rambling along the shore, occupied. with a multi-
plicity of thoughts and forgetful of his hunger, Neptune
discovered in the sand a superb turtle. His master killed
it, threw a large portion to the faithful animal, and set
about collecting some remnants of the wreck in order to
kindle a fire. He found a pebble which, when struck with
his pocket knife, readily emitted sparks of fire; but all his
ingenuity could not enkindle the wood, whilst he succeeded
however in scorching the skin of his hands and lacerating
his fingers. This vexation enraged him; and he continued
striking the pebble and knife together, until the former
split into a thousand pieces. He sat down in the worst
possible humour, glancing his eyes sorrowfully over the
pile of chips and the raw meat of the turtle. He at last
recollected that if he could not cook his food, he could at
least allay his thirst at the delicious spring of pure water
which the unfortunate boat’s crew had discovered on their
disembarkation. He-goon found it, and refreshed himself
at his ease. At some distance from the spring was the
valley where the cocoa and the linden trees were in full
bloom; and it was not without something like envy that

Bea