24° ROBINSON CRUSOE. ~

addling as it is called, the first part of the day, and with walk-
ing the latter part, that I did not wake thoroughly ; but dozing
between sleeping ‘and waking, thought I dreamed that soine-
body spoke to me; but as the voice continued to repeat,
“‘ Robin Crusoe, Robin Crusoe,” at last I began to wake more
perfectly, and was at first dreadfully frightened, and started up
in the utmost consternation ; but no sooner were my eyes open,
but I saw my Poll sitting on the top of the hedge ; and imme-
diately knew that it was he that spoke to me; for just in such
bemoaning language I had used to talk to him, and teach him ;
and he had learned it so perfectly that he would sit uponemy
finger, and lay his bill close to my face, and cry, “ Poor Robin
Crusoe! Where are you? Where have you been? How
came you here?” and such things as I had taught him.
However, even though I knew it was the parrot, and that
indeed it could be nobody else, it was a good while before I
could compose myself. First, I was amazed how the creature
got thither; and then, how he should just keep about the
place, and nowhere else; but as I was well satisfied it would,
be nobody but honest Poll, I got over it; and holding out my
hand, and calling him by his name, “ Poll,” the sociable crea-
ture came to me, and sat upon my thumb, as he used to do,
and continued talking to me, “ Poor Robin Crusoe! and how
did I come hear? and where had I been?” just as if he had
been overjoyed to see me again; and so I carried him home
along with me. .

* | had now had enough of rambling to sea for some time,
and had enough to do for many days, to sit still, and reflect
upon the danger I had been in. I would have been very glad
to have had my boat again on my side of the island; but I
knew not how it was practical to get it about. As to the east
side of the island which I had gone round, I knew well enough
there was no venturing that way ; my very heart would shrink,
and my very blood run chill, but to think of it; and as to the
other side of the island, I did not know how it might be there ;
but supposing the current ran with the same force against the
shore at the east as it passed by it on the other, I might-run the
same risk of being driven down the stream, and carried by the
island, as I had been betore of being carried away from it: so
with these thoughts, I contented myself to be without any boat,
though it had been the product of so many months’ labor to
make it, and of so many more to get it into the sea. P

In this government of my temper, I remained near a year ;
and lived a very sedate, retired life, as you may well suppose ;