CHAPTER X--TAMES GOATS
I cannot say that after this, for five years, any extraordinary thinghappened to me, but I lived on in the same course, in the same postureand place, as before; the chief things I was employed in, besides myyearly labour of planting my barley and rice, and curing my raisins, ofboth which I always kept up just enough to have sufficient stock of oneyear's provisions beforehand; I say, besides this yearly labour, and mydaily pursuit of going out with my gun, I had one labour, to make acanoe, which at last I finished: so that, by digging a canal to it of sixfeet wide and four feet deep, I brought it into the creek, almost half amile. As for the first, which was so vastly big, for I made it withoutconsidering beforehand, as I ought to have done, how I should be able tolaunch it, so, never being able to bring it into the water, or bring thewater to it, I was obliged to let it lie where it was as a memorandum toteach me to be wiser the next time: indeed, the next time, though I couldnot get a tree proper for it, and was in a place where I could not getthe water to it at any less distance than, as I have said, near half amile, yet, as I saw it was practicable at last, I never gave it over; andthough I was near two years about it, yet I never grudged my labour, inhopes of having a boat to go off to sea at last.
However, though my little periagua was finished, yet the size of it wasnot at all answerable to the design which I had in view when I made thefirst; I mean of venturing over to the _terra firma_, where it was aboveforty miles broad; accordingly, the smallness of my boat assisted to putan end to that design, and now I thought no more of it. As I had a boat,my next design was to make a cruise round the island; for as I had beenon the other side in one place, crossing, as I have already described it,over the land, so the discoveries I made in that little journey made mevery eager to see other parts of the coast; and now I had a boat, Ithought of nothing but sailing round the island.
For this purpose, that I might do everything with discretion andconsideration, I fitted up a little mast in my boat, and made a sail tooout of some of the pieces of the ship's sails which lay in store, and ofwhich I had a great stock by me. Having fitted my mast and sail, andtried the boat, I found she would sail very well; then I made littlelockers or boxes at each end of my boat, to put provisions, necessaries,ammunition, &c., into, to be kept dry, either from rain or the spray ofthe sea; and a little, long, hollow place I cut in the inside of theboat, where I could lay my gun, making a flap to hang down over it tokeep it dry.
I fixed my umbrella also in the step at the stern, like a mast, to standover my head, and keep the heat of the sun off me, like an awning; andthus I every now and then took a little voyage upon the sea, but neverwent far out, nor far from the little creek. At last, being eager toview the circumference of my little kingdom, I resolved upon my cruise;and accordingly I victualled my ship for the voyage, putting in two dozenof loaves (cakes I should call them) of barley-bread, an earthen pot fullof parched rice (a food I ate a good deal of), a little bottle of rum,half a goat, and powder and shot for killing more, and two largewatch-coats, of those which, as I mentioned before, I had saved out ofthe seamen's chests; these I took, one to lie upon, and the other tocover me in the night.
It was the 6th of November, in the sixth year of my reign--or mycaptivity, which you please--that I set out on this voyage, and I foundit much longer than I expected; for though the island itself was not verylarge, yet when I came to the east side of it, I found a great ledge ofrocks lie out about two leagues into the sea, some above water, someunder it; and beyond that a shoal of sand, lying dry half a league more,so that I was obliged to go a great way out to sea to double the point.
When I first discovered them, I was going to give over my enterprise, andcome back again, not knowing how far it might oblige me to go out to sea;and above all, doubting how I should get back again: so I came to ananchor; for I had made a kind of an anchor with a piece of a brokengrappling which I got out of the ship.
Having secured my boat, I took my gun and went on shore, climbing up ahill, which seemed to overlook that point where I saw the full extent ofit, and resolved to venture.
In my viewing the sea from that hill where I stood, I perceived a strong,and indeed a most furious current, which ran to the east, and even cameclose to the point; and I took the more notice of it because I saw theremight be some danger that when I came into it I might be carried out tosea by the strength of it, and not be able to make the island again; andindeed, had I not got first upon this hill, I believe it would have beenso; for there was the same current on the other side the island, onlythat it set off at a further distance, and I saw there was a strong eddyunder the shore; so I had nothing to do but to get out of the firstcurrent, and I should presently be in an eddy.
I lay here, however, two days, because the wind blowing pretty fresh atESE., and that being just contrary to the current, made a great breach ofthe sea upon the point: so that it was not safe for me to keep too closeto the shore for the breach, nor to go too far off, because of thestream.
The third day, in the morning, the wind having abated overnight, the seawas calm, and I ventured: but I am a warning to all rash and ignorantpilots; for no sooner was I come to the point, when I was not even myboat's length from the shore, but I found myself in a great depth ofwater, and a current like the sluice of a mill; it carried my boat alongwith it with such violence that all I could do could not keep her so muchas on the edge of it; but I found it hurried me farther and farther outfrom the eddy, which was on my left hand. There was no wind stirring tohelp me, and all I could do with my paddles signified nothing: and now Ibegan to give myself over for lost; for as the current was on both sidesof the island, I knew in a few leagues distance they must join again, andthen I was irrecoverably gone; nor did I see any possibility of avoidingit; so that I had no prospect before me but of perishing, not by the sea,for that was calm enough, but of starving from hunger. I had, indeed,found a tortoise on the shore, as big almost as I could lift, and hadtossed it into the boat; and I had a great jar of fresh water, that is tosay, one of my earthen pots; but what was all this to being driven intothe vast ocean, where, to be sure, there was no shore, no mainland orisland, for a thousand leagues at least?
And now I saw how easy it was for the providence of God to make even themost miserable condition of mankind worse. Now I looked back upon mydesolate, solitary island as the most pleasant place in the world and allthe happiness my heart could wish for was to be but there again. Istretched out my hands to it, with eager wishes--"O happy desert!" saidI, "I shall never see thee more. O miserable creature! whither amgoing?" Then I reproached myself with my unthankful temper, and that Ihad repined at my solitary condition; and now what would I give to be onshore there again! Thus, we never see the true state of our conditiontill it is illustrated to us by its contraries, nor know how to valuewhat we enjoy, but by the want of it. It is scarcely possible to imaginethe consternation I was now in, being driven from my beloved island (forso it appeared to me now to be) into the wide ocean, almost two leagues,and in the utmost despair of ever recovering it again. However, I workedhard till, indeed, my strength was almost exhausted, and kept my boat asmuch to the northward, that is, towards the side of the current which theeddy lay on, as possibly I could; when about noon, as the sun passed themeridian, I thought I felt a little breeze of wind in my face, springingup from SSE. This cheered my heart a little, and especially when, inabout half-an-hour more, it blew a pretty gentle gale. By this time Ihad got at a frightful distance from the island, and had the least cloudyor hazy weather intervened, I had been undone another way, too; for I hadno compass on board, and should never have known how to have steeredtowards the island, if I had but once lost sight of it; but the weathercontinuing clear, I applied myself to get up my mast again, and spread mysail, standing away to the north as much as possible, to get out of thecurrent.
Just as I had set my mast and sail, and the boat began to stretch away, Isaw even by the clearness of the water some alteration of the current wasne
ar; for where the current was so strong the water was foul; butperceiving the water clear, I found the current abate; and presently Ifound to the east, at about half a mile, a breach of the sea upon somerocks: these rocks I found caused the current to part again, and as themain stress of it ran away more southerly, leaving the rocks to thenorth-east, so the other returned by the repulse of the rocks, and made astrong eddy, which ran back again to the north-west, with a very sharpstream.
They who know what it is to have a reprieve brought to them upon theladder, or to be rescued from thieves just going to murder them, or whohave been in such extremities, may guess what my present surprise of joywas, and how gladly I put my boat into the stream of this eddy; and thewind also freshening, how gladly I spread my sail to it, runningcheerfully before the wind, and with a strong tide or eddy underfoot.
This eddy carried me about a league on my way back again, directlytowards the island, but about two leagues more to the northward than thecurrent which carried me away at first; so that when I came near theisland, I found myself open to the northern shore of it, that is to say,the other end of the island, opposite to that which I went out from.
When I had made something more than a league of way by the help of thiscurrent or eddy, I found it was spent, and served me no further.However, I found that being between two great currents--viz. that on thesouth side, which had hurried me away, and that on the north, which layabout a league on the other side; I say, between these two, in the wakeof the island, I found the water at least still, and running no way; andhaving still a breeze of wind fair for me, I kept on steering directlyfor the island, though not making such fresh way as I did before.
About four o'clock in the evening, being then within a league of theisland, I found the point of the rocks which occasioned this disasterstretching out, as is described before, to the southward, and casting offthe current more southerly, had, of course, made another eddy to thenorth; and this I found very strong, but not directly setting the way mycourse lay, which was due west, but almost full north. However, having afresh gale, I stretched across this eddy, slanting north-west; and inabout an hour came within about a mile of the shore, where, it beingsmooth water, I soon got to land.
When I was on shore, God I fell on my knees and gave God thanks for mydeliverance, resolving to lay aside all thoughts of my deliverance by myboat; and refreshing myself with such things as I had, I brought my boatclose to the shore, in a little cove that I had spied under some trees,and laid me down to sleep, being quite spent with the labour and fatigueof the voyage.
I was now at a great loss which way to get home with my boat! I had runso much hazard, and knew too much of the case, to think of attempting itby the way I went out; and what might be at the other side (I mean thewest side) I knew not, nor had I any mind to run any more ventures; so Iresolved on the next morning to make my way westward along the shore, andto see if there was no creek where I might lay up my frigate in safety,so as to have her again if I wanted her. In about three miles orthereabouts, coasting the shore, I came to a very good inlet or bay,about a mile over, which narrowed till it came to a very little rivuletor brook, where I found a very convenient harbour for my boat, and whereshe lay as if she had been in a little dock made on purpose for her.Here I put in, and having stowed my boat very safe, I went on shore tolook about me, and see where I was.
I soon found I had but a little passed by the place where I had beenbefore, when I travelled on foot to that shore; so taking nothing out ofmy boat but my gun and umbrella, for it was exceedingly hot, I began mymarch. The way was comfortable enough after such a voyage as I had beenupon, and I reached my old bower in the evening, where I found everythingstanding as I left it; for I always kept it in good order, being, as Isaid before, my country house.
I got over the fence, and laid me down in the shade to rest my limbs, forI was very weary, and fell asleep; but judge you, if you can, that readmy story, what a surprise I must be in when I was awaked out of my sleepby a voice calling me by my name several times, "Robin, Robin, RobinCrusoe: poor Robin Crusoe! Where are you, Robin Crusoe? Where are you?Where have you been?"
I was so dead asleep at first, being fatigued with rowing, or part of theday, and with walking the latter part, that I did not wake thoroughly;but dozing thought I dreamed that somebody spoke to me; but as the voicecontinued to repeat, "Robin Crusoe, Robin Crusoe," at last I began towake more perfectly, and was at first dreadfully frightened, and startedup in the utmost consternation; but no sooner were my eyes open, but Isaw my Poll sitting on the top of the hedge; and immediately knew that itwas he that spoke to me; for just in such bemoaning language I had usedto talk to him and teach him; and he had learned it so perfectly that hewould sit upon my finger, and lay his bill close to my face and cry,"Poor Robin Crusoe! Where are you? Where have you been? How came youhere?" and such things as I had taught him.
However, even though I knew it was the parrot, and that indeed it couldbe nobody else, it was a good while before I could compose myself.First, I was amazed how the creature got thither; and then, how he shouldjust keep about the place, and nowhere else; but as I was well satisfiedit could be nobody but honest Poll, I got over it; and holding out myhand, and calling him by his name, "Poll," the sociable creature came tome, and sat upon my thumb, as he used to do, and continued talking to me,"Poor Robin Crusoe! and how did I come here? and where had I been?" justas if he had been overjoyed to see me again; and so I carried him homealong with me.
I had now had enough of rambling to sea for some time, and had enough todo for many days to sit still and reflect upon the danger I had been in.I would have been very glad to have had my boat again on my side of theisland; but I knew not how it was practicable to get it about. As to theeast side of the island, which I had gone round, I knew well enough therewas no venturing that way; my very heart would shrink, and my very bloodrun chill, but to think of it; and as to the other side of the island, Idid not know how it might be there; but supposing the current ran withthe same force against the shore at the east as it passed by it on theother, I might run the same risk of being driven down the stream, andcarried by the island, as I had been before of being carried away fromit: so with these thoughts, I contented myself to be without any boat,though it had been the product of so many months' labour to make it, andof so many more to get it into the sea.
In this government of my temper I remained near a year; and lived a verysedate, retired life, as you may well suppose; and my thoughts being verymuch composed as to my condition, and fully comforted in resigning myselfto the dispositions of Providence, I thought I lived really very happilyin all things except that of society.
I improved myself in this time in all the mechanic exercises which mynecessities put me upon applying myself to; and I believe I should, uponoccasion, have made a very good carpenter, especially considering how fewtools I had.
Besides this, I arrived at an unexpected perfection in my earthenware,and contrived well enough to make them with a wheel, which I foundinfinitely easier and better; because I made things round and shaped,which before were filthy things indeed to look on. But I think I wasnever more vain of my own performance, or more joyful for anything Ifound out, than for my being able to make a tobacco-pipe; and though itwas a very ugly, clumsy thing when it was done, and only burned red, likeother earthenware, yet as it was hard and firm, and would draw the smoke,I was exceedingly comforted with it, for I had been always used to smoke;and there were pipes in the ship, but I forgot them at first, notthinking there was tobacco in the island; and afterwards, when I searchedthe ship again, I could not come at any pipes.
In my wicker-ware also I improved much, and made abundance of necessarybaskets, as well as my invention showed me; though not very handsome, yetthey were such as were very handy and convenient for laying things up in,or fetching things home. For example, if I killed a goat abroad, I couldhang it up in a tree, flay it, dress it, and cut it in pieces, and bringit home in a basket; and the like by a turtl
e; I could cut it up, takeout the eggs and a piece or two of the flesh, which was enough for me,and bring them home in a basket, and leave the rest behind me. Also,large deep baskets were the receivers of my corn, which I always rubbedout as soon as it was dry and cured, and kept it in great baskets.
I began now to perceive my powder abated considerably; this was a wantwhich it was impossible for me to supply, and I began seriously toconsider what I must do when I should have no more powder; that is tosay, how I should kill any goats. I had, as is observed in the thirdyear of my being here, kept a young kid, and bred her up tame, and I wasin hopes of getting a he-goat; but I could not by any means bring it topass, till my kid grew an old goat; and as I could never find in my heartto kill her, she died at last of mere age.
But being now in the eleventh year of my residence, and, as I have said,my ammunition growing low, I set myself to study some art to trap andsnare the goats, to see whether I could not catch some of them alive; andparticularly I wanted a she-goat great with young. For this purpose Imade snares to hamper them; and I do believe they were more than oncetaken in them; but my tackle was not good, for I had no wire, and Ialways found them broken and my bait devoured. At length I resolved totry a pitfall; so I dug several large pits in the earth, in places whereI had observed the goats used to feed, and over those pits I placedhurdles of my own making too, with a great weight upon them; and severaltimes I put ears of barley and dry rice without setting the trap; and Icould easily perceive that the goats had gone in and eaten up the corn,for I could see the marks of their feet. At length I set three traps inone night, and going the next morning I found them, all standing, and yetthe bait eaten and gone; this was very discouraging. However, I alteredmy traps; and not to trouble you with particulars, going one morning tosee my traps, I found in one of them a large old he-goat; and in one ofthe others three kids, a male and two females.
As to the old one, I knew not what to do with him; he was so fierce Idurst not go into the pit to him; that is to say, to bring him awayalive, which was what I wanted. I could have killed him, but that wasnot my business, nor would it answer my end; so I even let him out, andhe ran away as if he had been frightened out of his wits. But I did notthen know what I afterwards learned, that hunger will tame a lion. If Ihad let him stay three or four days without food, and then have carriedhim some water to drink and then a little corn, he would have been astame as one of the kids; for they are mighty sagacious, tractablecreatures, where they are well used.
However, for the present I let him go, knowing no better at that time:then I went to the three kids, and taking them one by one, I tied themwith strings together, and with some difficulty brought them all home.
It was a good while before they would feed; but throwing them some sweetcorn, it tempted them, and they began to be tame. And now I found thatif I expected to supply myself with goats' flesh, when I had no powder orshot left, breeding some up tame was my only way, when, perhaps, I mighthave them about my house like a flock of sheep. But then it occurred tome that I must keep the tame from the wild, or else they would always runwild when they grew up; and the only way for this was to have someenclosed piece of ground, well fenced either with hedge or pale, to keepthem in so effectually, that those within might not break out, or thosewithout break in.
This was a great undertaking for one pair of hands yet, as I saw therewas an absolute necessity for doing it, my first work was to find out aproper piece of ground, where there was likely to be herbage for them toeat, water for them to drink, and cover to keep them from the sun.
Those who understand such enclosures will think I had very littlecontrivance when I pitched upon a place very proper for all these (beinga plain, open piece of meadow land, or savannah, as our people call it inthe western colonies), which had two or three little drills of freshwater in it, and at one end was very woody--I say, they will smile at myforecast, when I shall tell them I began by enclosing this piece ofground in such a manner that, my hedge or pale must have been at leasttwo miles about. Nor was the madness of it so great as to the compass,for if it was ten miles about, I was like to have time enough to do itin; but I did not consider that my goats would be as wild in so muchcompass as if they had had the whole island, and I should have so muchroom to chase them in that I should never catch them.
My hedge was begun and carried on, I believe, about fifty yards when thisthought occurred to me; so I presently stopped short, and, for thebeginning, I resolved to enclose a piece of about one hundred and fiftyyards in length, and one hundred yards in breadth, which, as it wouldmaintain as many as I should have in any reasonable time, so, as my stockincreased, I could add more ground to my enclosure.
This was acting with some prudence, and I went to work with courage. Iwas about three months hedging in the first piece; and, till I had doneit, I tethered the three kids in the best part of it, and used them tofeed as near me as possible, to make them familiar; and very often Iwould go and carry them some ears of barley, or a handful of rice, andfeed them out of my hand; so that after my enclosure was finished and Ilet them loose, they would follow me up and down, bleating after me for ahandful of corn.
This answered my end, and in about a year and a half I had a flock ofabout twelve goats, kids and all; and in two years more I hadthree-and-forty, besides several that I took and killed for my food.After that, I enclosed five several pieces of ground to feed them in,with little pens to drive them to take them as I wanted, and gates out ofone piece of ground into another.
But this was not all; for now I not only had goat's flesh to feed on whenI pleased, but milk too--a thing which, indeed, in the beginning, I didnot so much as think of, and which, when it came into my thoughts, wasreally an agreeable surprise, for now I set up my dairy, and hadsometimes a gallon or two of milk in a day. And as Nature, who givessupplies of food to every creature, dictates even naturally how to makeuse of it, so I, that had never milked a cow, much less a goat, or seenbutter or cheese made only when I was a boy, after a great many essaysand miscarriages, made both butter and cheese at last, also salt (thoughI found it partly made to my hand by the heat of the sun upon some of therocks of the sea), and never wanted it afterwards. How mercifully canour Creator treat His creatures, even in those conditions in which theyseemed to be overwhelmed in destruction! How can He sweeten thebitterest providences, and give us cause to praise Him for dungeons andprisons! What a table was here spread for me in the wilderness, where Isaw nothing at first but to perish for hunger!