Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 19
InthesixthyearIincreasedthebaseofmypyramid,sothatineighteenmonthsthereaftertheheightofmymonumentwasfiftyfeetabovetheheightoftheisland.ThiswasnotowerofBabel.Itservedtworightpurposes.Itgavemealookoutfromwhichtoscantheoceanforships,andincreasedthelikelihoodofmyislandbeingsightedbythecarelessrovingeyeofanyseaman.Anditkeptmybodyandmindinhealth.Withhandsneveridle,therewassmallopportunityforSatanonthatisland.Onlyinmydreamsdidhetormentme,principallywithvisionsofvariedfoodsandwithimaginedindulgenceinthefoulweedcalledtobacco.
OntheeighteenthdayofthemonthofJune,inthesixthyearofmysojournontheisland,Idescriedasail.Butitpassedfartoleewardattoogreatadistancetodiscoverme.Ratherthansufferingdisappointment,theveryappearanceofthissailaffordedmetheliveliestsatisfaction.ItconvincedmeofafactthatIhadbeforeinadegreedoubted,towit:thattheseseasweresometimesvisitedbynavigators.
Amongotherthings,wherethesealshauledupoutofthesea,Ibuiltwide-spreadingwingsoflowrockwallsthatnarrowedtoaculdesac,whereImightconvenientlykillsuchsealsasenteredwithoutexcitingtheirfellowsoutsideandwithoutpermittinganywoundedorfrighteningsealtoescapeandspreadacontagionofalarm.Sevenmonthstothisstructurealoneweredevoted.
