Робінзон Крузо
A Cave Retreat
AslongasIkeptupmydailytourtothehilltolookout,solongalsoIkeptupthevigorofmydesign,andmyspiritsseemedtobeallthewhileinasuitableformforsooutrageousanexecutionasthekillingtwentyorthirtynakedsavagesforanoffencewhichIhadnotatallenteredintoadiscussionofinmythoughts, anyfartherthanmypassionswereatfirstfiredbythehorrorIconceivedattheunnaturalcustomofthatpeopleofthecountry; who,itseems,had-beensufferedbyProvidence,inHiswisedispositionoftheworld,tohavenootherguidethanthatoftheirownabominableandvitiatedpassions; andconsequentlywereleft,andperhapshadbeensoforsomeages,toactsuchhorridthings,andreceivesuchdreadfulcustoms,asnothingbutnatureentirelyabandonedofHeaven,andactedbysomehellishdegeneracy,couldhaveruntheminto. Butnowwhen,asIhavesaid,IbegantobewearyofthefruitlessexcursionwhichIhadmadesolongandsofareverymorninginvain,somyopinionoftheactionitselfbegantoalter; andIbegan,withcoolerandcalmerthoughts,toconsiderwhatitwasIwasgoingtoengagein. WhatauthorityorcallIhadtopretendtobejudgeandexecutioneruponthesemenascriminals,whomHeavenhadthoughtfit,forsomanyages,tosuffer,unpunished,togoon,andtobe,asitwere,theexecutionersofHisjudgmentsoneuponanother. Howfarthesepeoplewereoffendersagainstme,andwhatrightIhadtoengageinthequarrelofthatbloodwhichtheyshedpromiscuouslyoneuponanother. Idebatedthisveryoftenwithmyself,thus: HowdoIknowwhatGodHimselfjudgesinthisparticularcase? Itiscertainthesepeopleeitherdonotcommitthisasacrime; itisnotagainsttheirownconsciences’reproving,ortheirlightreproachingthem.
