Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 19
Ittookmenineweeks.OthersmallonesIalsomadefromtimetotime.One,thatwouldhavecontainedeightgallons,developedaflawwhenIhadworkedsevenweeksonit.
Butitwasnotuntilmyfourthyearontheisland,whenIhadbecomereconciledtothepossibilitythatImightcontinuetolivethereforthetermofmynaturallife,thatIcreatedmymasterpiece.Ittookmeeightmonths,butitwastight,anditheldupwardsofthirtygallons.Thesestonevesselswereagreatgratificationtome—somuchso,thatattimesIforgotmyhumilityandwasundulyvainofthem.Truly,theyweremoreeleganttomethanwaseverthecostliestpieceoffurnituretoanyqueen.Also,Imademeasmallrockvessel,containingnomorethanaquart,withwhichtoconveywaterfromthecatching-placestomylargereceptacles.WhenIsaythatthisone-quartvesselweighedalloftwostone,thereaderwillrealizethatthemeregatheringoftherainwaterwasnolighttask.
Thus,Irenderedmylonelysituationascomfortableascouldbeexpected.Ihadcompletedmeasnugandsecureshelter;and,astoprovision,Ihadalwaysonhandasixmonths’supply,preservedbysaltinganddrying.Forthesethings,soessentialtopreservelife,andwhichonecouldscarcelyhaveexpectedtoobtainuponadesertisland,IwassensiblethatIcouldnotbetoothankful.
