Межзвёздный скиталец

           Afterdiversunsuccessfulattemptstheysignalledmethattheymustreturntotheship.Conceivemydespairatthusbeingunabletoquitthedesolateisland.Iseizedmyoar(whichIhadlongsincedeterminedtopresenttothePhiladelphiaMuseumifeverIwerepreserved)andwithitplungedheadlongintothefoamingsurf.Suchwasmygoodfortune,andmystrengthandagility,thatIgainedtheboat.

           Icannotrefrainfromtellinghereacuriousincident.Theshiphadbythistimedriftedsofaraway,thatwewereallofanhouringettingaboard.DuringthistimeIyieldedtomypropensitiesthathadbeenbaffledforeightlongyears,andbeggedofthesecondmate,whosteered,apieceoftobaccotochew.Thisgranted,thesecondmatealsoprofferedmehispipe,filledwithprimeVirginialeaf.ScarcehadtenminutespassedwhenIwastakenviolentlysick.Thereasonforthiswasclear.Mysystemwasentirelypurgedoftobacco,andwhatInowsufferedwastobaccopoisoningsuchasafflictsanyboyatthetimeofhisfirstsmoke.AgainIhadreasontobegratefultoGod,andfromthatdaytothedayofmydeath,Ineitherusednordesiredthefoulweed.

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           I,DarrellStanding,mustnowcompletetheamazingnessofthedetailsofthisexistencewhichIrelivedwhileunconsciousinthestrait-jacketinSanQuentinprison.IoftenwonderedifDanielFosshadbeentrueinhisresolveanddepositedthecarvedoarinthePhiladelphiaMuseum.