OF ROBINSON CRUSOE. © 181

 

This I saw no remedy for, but by making an enclosure about it with
a hedge, which I did with a great deal of toil; and the more, because
it required a great deal of speed, the creatures daily spoiling my corn,
However, as my arable land was but small, suited to my crop, I got it
totally well fenced in about three weeks time, and shooting some of the
creatures in the daytime, I set my dog to guard it in the night, tying
him up to a stake at the gate, where he would stand and bark all night
long; so in a little time the enemies forsook the place, and the corn
grew very strong and well, and began to ripen apace.

But as the beasts ruined me before, while my corn was in the: blade,
so the birds were as likely to ruin me now, when it was in the ear; for,
going along by the place to see how it throve, I saw my little crop
surrounded with fowls of I know not how many sorts, which stood as it
were watching till I should be gone. I immediately let fly among
them, (for I always had my gun with me). I had no sooner shot, but
there arose up a little cloud of fowls, which I had not seen at all, from
among the corn itself.

This touched me sensibly; for I foresaw that, in a few days, they
would devour all my hopes; that I should be starved, and never be able
to raise a crop at all; and what to do I could not tell; however, I
resolved not to lose my corn, if possible, though I should watch it night
and day. In the first place, I went among it to see what damage was
already done, and found they had spoiled a good deal of it; but that,
as it was yet too green for them, the loss was not so great, but the
remainder was like to be a good crop, if it could be saved.

I stayed by it to load my gun, and then coming away, I could easily
see the thieves sitting upon all the trees about me, as if they only
waited till I was gone away, and the event proved it to be so; for, as 1
walked off as if I was gone, I was no sooner out of their sight but they
dropped down one by one into the corn again. I was so provoked that
I could not have patience to stay till more came on, knowing that every
grain that they ate now was, as it might be said, a peck loaf to me in
the consequence ; but, coming up to the hedge, I fired again, and killed
three of them. This was what I wished for; so I took them up, and
served them as we serve notorious thieves in England, namely, hanged
them in chains for a terror to others. It is impossible to imagine
alinost that this should have such an effect as it had; for the fowls
would not only not come at the corn, but, in short, they forsook allthat
part of the island, and I could never see @ bird near the place ‘ag fong
as my scarecrows hung there. ep ART Die a

This I was very glad of, you may be sure; and about the
of December, which was our second harvest of the year, Trea