Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 19
Asthetimepassed,Igrewmorecontentedwithmylot,andthedevilcamelessandlessinmysleeptotormenttheoldAdaminmewithlawlessvisionsoftobaccoandsavouryfoods.AndIcontinuedtoeatmysealmeatandcallitgood,andtodrinkthesweetrainwaterofwhichalwaysIhadplenty,andtobegratefultoGod.AndGodheardme,Iknow,forduringallmytermonthatislandIknewneveramomentofsickness,savetwo,bothofwhichwereduetomygluttony,asIshalllaterrelate.
Inthefifthyear,ereIhadconvincedmyselfthatthekeelsofshipsdidonoccasionploughtheseseas,IbegancarvingonmyoarminutesofthemoreremarkableincidentsthathadattendedmesinceIquittedthepeacefulshoresofAmerica.ThisIrenderedasintelligibleandpermanentaspossible,thelettersbeingofthesmallestsize.Six,andevenfive,letterswereoftenaday’sworkforme,sopainstakingwasI.
And,lestitshouldprovemyhardfortunenevertomeetwiththelong-wishedopportunitytoreturntomyfriendsandtomyfamilyatElkton,Iengraved,ornitched,onthebroadendoftheoar,thelegendofmyillfatewhichIhavealreadyquotednearthebeginningofthisnarrative.
Thisoar,whichhadprovedsoserviceabletomeinmydestitutesituation,andwhichnowcontainedarecordofmyownfateandthatofmyshipmates,Isparednopainstopreserve.
