Робинзон Крузо
A Cave Retreat
Themouthofthishollowwasatthebottomofagreatrock,where,mereaccidentIwouldsay(ifIdidnotseeabundantreasontoascribeallsuchthingsnowtoProvidence),Iwascuttingdownsomethickbranchesoftreestomakecharcoal;andbeforeIgoon,Imustobservethereasonofmymakingthischarcoal,whichwasthus.
Iwasafraidofmakingasmokeaboutmyhabitation,asIsaidbefore;andyetIcouldnotlivetherewithoutbakingmybread,cookingmymeat,etc. SoIcontrivedtoburnsomewoodhere,asIhadseendoneinEnglandunderturf,tillitbecamechark,ordrycool; andthenputtingthefireout,Ipreservedthecoaltocarryhome,andperformtheotherserviceswhichfirewaswantingforathome,withoutdangerofsmoke.
Butthisisby-the-bye. WhileIwascuttingdownsomewoodhere,Iperceivedthatbehindaverythickbranchoflowbrush-wood,orunderwood,therewasakindofhollowplace. Iwascurioustolookintoit; andgettingwithdifficultyintothemouthofit,Ifounditwasprettylarge; thatistosay,sufficientformetostanduprightinit,andperhapsanotherwithme. ButImustconfesstoyouImademorehasteoutthanIdidinwhen,lookingfartherintotheplace,andwhichwasperfectlydark,Isawtwobroadshiningeyesofsomecreature,whetherdevilormanIknewnot,whichtwinkledliketwostars,thedimlightfromthecave’smouthshiningdirectlyin,andmakingthereflection.
However,aftersomepauseIrecoveredmyself,andbegantocallmyselfathousandfools,andtellmyselfthathethatwasafraidtoseethedevilwasnotfittolivetwentyyearsinanislandallalone,andthatIdursttobelievetherewasnothinginthiscavethatwasmorefrightfulthanmyself.
