ROBINSON CRUSOE. | 151

But this is by the bye. While I was cutting down some wood
here, § perceived that, behind a very thick branch of low brush-
wood or underwood, there was a kind of hollow place: I was
curious to look in it ; and getting with difficulty into the mouth
of it, I found it was pretty large, that is to say, sufficient for me
to stand upright in it, and perhaps another with me ; but I must
confess to you that I made more haste out than I did in, when
looking farther into the place, and which was perfectly dark, I
saw two broad shining eyes of some creature, whether devil or
man I knew not, which twinkled like tw stars ; the dim light
from the cave’s mouth shining directly in, and making the re-
flection. However, after some pause, I recovered myself, and
began to call myself a thousand fools, and to think that he that
was afraid to see the devil, was not fit to live twenty years in
an island all alone; and that I might well think ‘there was
nothing in this cave that was more frightful than myself. Upon
this, plucking up my courage, I took up a firebrand, and in I
rushed again, with the stick flaming in my hand; I had not
gone three steps in, before I was almost as much frightened as.
before ; for I heard a very loud sigh, like that of a man in some
pain, and it was followed by a broken noise, as of words half
expressed, and then a deep sigh again. I stepped back, and
was indeed struck with such a surprise that it put me into a cold
sweat, and if I had had a hat on my head, I will not answer for
it that my hair might not have lifted it off. But still plucking up
my spirits as well as I could, and encouraging myself a little
with considering that the power and presence of God was every-
where, and was able to protect me, I stepped forward again, and
by the light of the firebrand, holding it up a little over my head,
I saw lying on the ground a monstrous, frightful, old. he-goat,
iust making his will, as we say, and gasping for life, and dying,
indeed, of mere old age. I stirred him a little to see if J could
get him out, and he essayed to get up, but was not able to raise
himself ; and I thought with myself he might even lie there,—
for if he had frightened me, so he would certainly fright any of
the savages, if any one of them should be so hardy as to come
in there while he had any life in him.

I was now recovered from my surprise, and began to look
round me, when I found the cave was but very small ; that is to
say, it might be about twelve feet over, but in no manner of
shape, neither round nor square, no hands having ever been

_employed in making it but those of mere nature. I observed
also that there was a place at the farther side that went in fur
ther, but was so low that it required me to creep upon my hands