Робінзон Крузо
First Weeks on the Island
Iswamroundhertwice,andthesecondtimeIspiedasmallpieceofrope,whichIwonderedIdidnotseeatfirst, hangdownbythefore-chainssolowasthatwithgreatdifficultyIgotholdofit,andbythehelpofthatropegotupintotheforecastleoftheship. HereIfoundthattheshipwasbulged,andhadagreatdealofwaterinherhold,butthatshelaysoonthesideofabankofhardsand,orratherearth,thathersternlayliftedupuponthebank,andherheadlowalmosttothewater. Bythismeansallherquarterwasfree,andallthatwasinthatpartwasdry; foryoumaybesuremyfirstworkwastosearchandtoseewhatwasspoiledandwhatwasfree. AndfirstIfoundthatalltheship’sprovisionsweredryanduntouchedbythewater;andbeingverywelldisposedtoeat,Iwenttothebread-roomandfilledmypocketswithbiscuit,andeatitasIwentaboutotherthings,forIhadnotimetolose. Ialsofoundsomeruminthegreatcabin,ofwhichItookalargedram,andwhichIhadindeedneedenoughoftospiritmeforwhatwasbeforeme. NowIwantednothingbutaboat,tofurnishmyselfwithmanythingswhichIforesawwouldbeverynecessarytome.
Itwasinvaintositstillandwishforwhatwasnottobehad,andthisextremityrousedmyapplication. Wehadseveralspareyards,andtwoorthreelargesparsofwood,andasparetopmastortwointheship. Iresolvedtofalltoworkwiththese,andflungasmanyofthemoverboardasIcouldmanagefortheirweight,tyingeveryonewitharope,thattheymightnotdriveaway. WhenthiswasdoneIwentdowntheship’sside,and,pullingthemtome,ItiedfourofthemfasttogetheratbothendsaswellasIcould,intheformofaraft; andlayingtwoorthreeshortpiecesofplankuponthem,crossways,IfoundIcouldwalkuponitverywell,butthatitwasnotabletobearanygreatweight,thepiecesbeingtoolight.
