Робінзон Крузо
A Cave Retreat
Uponthis,pluckingupmycourage,Itookupagreatfirebrand,andinIrushedagain,withthestickflaminginmyhand. Ihadnotgonethreestepsin,butIwasalmostasmuchfrightedasIwasbefore; forIheardaveryloudsighlikethatofamaninsomepain,anditwasfollowedbyabrokennoise,asifofwordshalfexpressed,andthenadeepsighagain. Isteppedback,andwasindeedstruckwithsuchasurprisethatitputmeintoacoldsweat; andifIhadhadahatonmyhead,Iwillnotanswerforit,thatmyhairmightnothavelifteditoff. ButstillpluckingupmyspiritsaswellasIcould,andencouragingmyselfalittlewithconsideringthatthepowerandpresenceofGodwaseverywhere,andwasabletoprotectme,uponthisIsteppedforwardagain,andbythelightofthefirebrand,holdingitupalittleovermyhead,Isawlyingonthegroundamostmonstrous,frightful,oldhe-goat, justmakinghiswill,aswesay,andgaspingforlife;anddying,indeed,ofmereoldage.
IstirredhimalittletoseeifIcouldgethimout,andheessayedtogetup,butwasnotabletoraisehimself; andIthoughtwithmyselfhemightevenliethere; forifhehadfrightedmeso,hewouldcertainlyfrightanyofthesavages,ifanyofthemshouldbesohardyastocomeintherewhilehehadanylifeinhim.
Iwasnowrecoveredfrommysurprise,andbegantolookroundme,whenIfoundthecavewasbutverysmall; thatistosay,itmightbeabouttwelvefeetover,butinnomannerofshape,eitherroundorsquare,nohandshavingeverybeenemployedinmakingitbutthoseofmereNature.
