CHAPTERXIX
NexttoOppenheimerandMorrell，whorottedwithmethroughtheyearsofdarkness，IwasconsideredthemostdangerousprisonerinSanQuentin。OntheotherhandIwasconsideredthetoughest——
toughereventhanOppenheimerandMorrell。OfcoursebytoughnessI
meanenduringness。Terribleasweretheattemptstobreaktheminbodyandinspirit，moreterribleweretheattemptstobreakme。
AndIendured。DynamiteorcurtainshadbeenWardenAtherton’sultimatum。Andintheenditwasneither。Icouldnotproducethedynamite，andWardenAthertoncouldnotinducethecurtains。
Itwasnotbecausemybodywasenduring，butbecausemyspiritwasenduring。Anditwasbecause，inearlierexistences，myspirithadbeenwroughttosteel-hardnessbysteel-hardexperiences。Therewasoneexperiencethatforlongwasasortofnightmaretome。Ithadneitherbeginningnorend。AlwaysIfoundmyselfonarocky，surge-
batteredisletsolowthatinstormsthesaltspraysweptoveritshighestpoint。Itrainedmuch。Ilivedinalairandsufferedgreatly，forIwaswithoutfireandlivedonuncookedmeat。
AlwaysIsuffered。ItwasthemiddleofsomeexperiencetowhichI
couldgetnoclue。Andsince，whenIwentintothelittledeathI
hadnopowerofdirectingmyjourneys，Ioftenfoundmyselfrelivingthisparticularlydetestableexperience。Myonlyhappymomentswerewhenthesunshone，atwhichtimesIbaskedontherocksandthawedoutthealmostperpetualchillIsuffered。
Myonediversionwasanoarandajackknife。UponthisoarIspentmuchtime，carvingminutelettersandcuttinganotchforeachweekthatpassed。Thereweremanynotches。Isharpenedtheknifeonaflatpieceofrock，andnobarberwasevermorecarefulofhisfavouriterazorthanwasIofthatknife。NordideveramiserprizehistreasureasdidIprizetheknife。Itwasaspreciousasmylife。Intruth，itwasmylife。
Bymanyrepetitions，Imanagedtobringbackoutofthejacketthelegendthatwascarvedontheoar。AtfirstIcouldbringbutlittle。Later，itgreweasier，amatterofpiecingportionstogether。AndatlastIhadthethingcomplete。Hereitis:
ThisistoacquaintthepersonintowhosehandsthisOarmayfall，thatDanielFoss，anativeofElkton，inMaryland，oneoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，andwhosailedfromtheportofPhiladelphia，in1809，onboardthebrigNegociator，boundtotheFriendlyIslands，wascastuponthisdesolateislandtheFebruaryfollowing，whereheerectedahutandlivedanumberofyears，subsistingonseals——hebeingthelastwhosurvivedofthecrewofsaidbrig，whichranfoulofanislandofice，andfounderedonthe25thNov。1809。
Thereitwas，quiteclear。BythismeansIlearnedalotaboutmyself。Onevexedpoint，however，Ineverdidsucceedinclearingup。WasthisislandsituatedinthefarSouthPacificorthefarSouthAtlantic？Idonotknowenoughofsailing-shiptrackstobecertainwhetherthebrigNegociatorwouldsailfortheFriendlyIslandsviaCapeHornorviatheCapeofGoodHope。Toconfessmyownignorance，notuntilafterIwastransferredtoFolsomdidI
learninwhichoceanweretheFriendlyIslands。TheJapanesemurderer，whomIhavementionedbefore，hadbeenasailmakeronboardtheArthurSewallships，andhetoldmethattheprobablesailingcoursewouldbebywayoftheCapeofGoodHope。Ifthiswereso，thenthedatesofsailingfromPhiladelphiaandofbeingwreckedwouldeasilydeterminewhichocean。Unfortunately，thesailingdateismerely1809。Thewreckmightaslikelyhaveoccurredinoneoceanastheother。
OnlyoncedidI，inmytrances，getahintoftheperiodprecedingthetimespentontheisland。Thisbeginsatthemomentofthebrig’scollisionwiththeiceberg，andIshallnarrateit，iffornootherreason，atleasttogiveanaccountofmycuriouslycoolanddeliberateconduct。Thisconductatthistime，asyoushallsee，waswhatenabledmeintheendtosurvivealoneofalltheship’scompany。
Iwasawakened，inmybunkintheforecastle，byaterrificcrash。
Infact，aswastrueoftheothersixsleepingmenofthewatchbelow，awakingandleapingfrombunktofloorweresimultaneous。Weknewwhathadhappened。Theotherswaitedfornothing，rushingonlypartlycladupondeck。ButIknewwhattoexpect，andIdidwait。
Iknewthatifweescapedatall，itwouldbebythelongboat。Nomancouldswiminsofreezingasea。Andnoman，thinlyclad，couldlivelongintheopenboat。Also，Iknewjustabouthowlongitwouldtaketolaunchtheboat。
So，bythelightofthewildlyswingingslush-lamp，tothetumultondeckandtocriesof\"She’ssinking！\"Iproceededtoransackmysea-
chestforsuitablegarments。Also，sincetheywouldneverusethemagain，Iransackedtheseachestsofmyshipmates。Workingquicklybutcollectedly，Itooknothingbutthewarmestandstoutestofclothes。Iputonthefourbestwoollenshirtstheforecastleboasted，threepairsofpants，andthreepairsofthickwoollensocks。SolargeweremyfeetthusincasedthatIcouldnotputonmyowngoodboots。Instead，IthrustonNicholasWilton’snewboots，whichwerelargerandevenstouterthanmine。Also，IputonJeremyNalor’speajacketovermyown，and，outsideofboth，putonSethRichard’sthickcanvascoatwhichIrememberedhehadfresh-
oiledonlyashortwhileprevious。
Twopairsofheavymittens，JohnRobert’smufflerwhichhismotherhadknittedforhim，andJosephDawes’beavercapatopmyown，bothbearingear-andneck-flaps，completedmyoutfitting。Theshoutsthatthebrigwassinkingredoubled，butItookaminutelongertofillmypocketswithalltheplugtobaccoIcouldlayhandson。
ThenIclimbedoutondeck，andnotamomenttoosoon。
Themoon，burstingthroughacrackofcloud，showedableakandsavagepicture。Everywherewaswreckedgear，andeverywherewasice。Thesails，ropes，andsparsofthemainmast，whichwasstillstanding，werefringedwithicicles；andtherecameovermeafeelingalmostofreliefinthatneveragainshouldIhavetopullandhaulonthestifftacklesandhammericesothatthefrozenropescouldrunthroughthefrozenshivs。Thewind，blowinghalfagale，cutwiththesharpnessthatisasignoftheproximityoficebergs；andthebigseaswerebittercoldtolookuponinthemoonlight。
Thelongboatwasloweringawaytolarboard，andIsawmen，strugglingontheice-sheeteddeckwithbarrelsofprovisions，abandonthefoodintheirhastetogetaway。InvainCaptainNichollstrovewiththem。Asea，breachingacrossfromwindward，settledthematterandsentthemleapingovertherailinheaps。I
gainedthecaptain’sshoulder，and，holdingontohim，Ishoutedinhisearthatifhewouldboardtheboatandpreventthemenfromcastingoff，Iwouldattendtotheprovisioning。
Littletimewasgivenme，however。ScarcelyhadImanaged，helpedbythesecondmate，AaronNorthrup，tolowerawayhalf-a-dozenbarrelsandkegs，whenallcriedfromtheboatthattheywerecastingoff。Goodreasontheyhad。Downuponusfromwindwardwasdriftingatoweringice-mountain，whiletoleeward，closeaboard，wasanotherice-mountainuponwhichweweredriving。
QuickerinhisleapwasAaronNorthrup。Idelayedamoment，evenastheboatwasshovingaway，inordertoselectaspotamidshipswherethemenwerethickest，sothattheirbodiesmightbreakmyfall。I
wasnotmindedtoembarkwithabrokenmemberonsohazardousavoyageinthelongboat。Thatthemenmighthaveroomattheoars，I
workedmywayquicklyaftintothesternsheets。Certainly，Ihadotherandsufficientreasons。Itwouldbemorecomfortableinthesternsheetsthaninthenarrowbow。Andfurther，itwouldbewelltobeneartheafterguardinwhatevertroublesthatweresuretoariseundersuchcircumstancesinthedaystocome。
Inthesternsheetswerethemate，WalterDrake，thesurgeon，ArnoldBentham，AaronNorthrup，andCaptainNicholl，whowassteering。ThesurgeonwasbendingoverNorthrup，wholayinthebottomgroaning。
Notsofortunatehadhebeeninhisill-consideredleap，forhehadbrokenhisrightlegatthehipjoint。
Therewaslittletimeforhimthen，however，forwewerelabouringinaheavyseadirectlybetweenthetwoiceislandsthatwererushingtogether。NicholasWilton，atthestrokeoar，wascrampedforroom；soIbetterstowedthebarrels，and，kneelingandfacinghim，wasabletoaddmyweighttotheoar。For’ard，IcouldseeJohnRobertsstrainingatthebowoar。Pullingonhisshouldersfrombehind，ArthurHaskinsandtheboy，BennyHardwater，addedtheirweighttohis。Infact，soeagerwereallhandstohelpthatmorethanonewasthusinthewayandclutteredthemovementsoftherowers。
Itwasclosework，butwewentclearbyamatterofahundredyards，sothatIwasabletoturnmyheadandseetheuntimelyendoftheNegociator。Shewascaughtsquarelyinthepinchandshewassqueezedbetweentheiceasasugarplummightbesqueezedbetweenthumbandforefingerofaboy。Intheshoutingofthewindandtheroarofwaterweheardnothing，althoughthecrackofthebrig’sstoutribsanddeckbeamsmusthavebeenenoughtowakenahamletonapeacefulnight。
Silently，easily，thebrig’ssidessqueezedtogether，thedeckbulgedup，andthecrushedremnantdroppeddownandwasgone，whilewhereshehadbeenwasoccupiedbythegrindingconflictoftheice-
islands。Ifeltregretatthedestructionofthishavenagainsttheelements，butatthesametimewaswellpleasedatthoughtofmysnugnessinsidemyfourshirtsandthreecoats。
Yetitprovedabitternight，evenforme。Iwasthewarmestcladintheboat。WhattheothersmusthavesufferedIdidnotcaretodwelluponovermuch。Forfearthatwemightmeetupwithmoreiceinthedarkness，webailedandheldtheboatbow-ontotheseas。
Andcontinually，nowwithonemitten，nowwiththeother，Irubbedmynosethatitmightnotfreeze。Also，withmemorieslivelyinmeofthehomecircleinElkton，IprayedtoGod。
Inthemorningwetookstock。Tocommencewith，allbuttwoorthreehadsufferedfrost-bite。AaronNorthrup，unabletomovebecauseofhisbrokenhip，wasverybad。Itwasthesurgeon’sopinionthatbothofNorthrup’sfeetwerehopelesslyfrozen。
Thelongboatwasdeepandheavyinthewater，foritwasburdenedbytheentireship’scompanyoftwenty-one。Twoofthesewereboys。
BennyHardwaterwasabarethirteen，andLishDickery，whosefamilywasnearneighbourtomineinElkton，wasjustturnedsixteen。Ourprovisionsconsistedofthreehundred-weightofbeefandtwohundred-weightofpork。Thehalf-dozenloavesofbrine-pulpedbread，whichthecookhadbrought，didnotcount。Thentherewerethreesmallbarrelsofwaterandonesmallkegofbeer。
CaptainNichollfranklyadmittedthatinthisunchartedoceanhehadnoknowledgeofanynearland。Theonethingtodowastorunformoreclementclimate，whichweaccordinglydid，settingoursmallsailandsteeringquarteringbeforethefreshwindtothenorth-
east。
Thefoodproblemwassimplearithmetic。WedidnotcountAaronNorthrup，forweknewhewouldsoonbegone。Atapoundperday，ourfivehundredpoundswouldlastustwenty-fivedays；athalfapound，itwouldlastfifty。Sohalfapoundhadit。Idividedandissuedthemeatunderthecaptain’seyes，andmanageditfairlyenough，Godknows，althoughsomeofthemengrumbledfromthefirst。
Also，fromtimetotimeImadefairdivisionamongthemenoftheplugtobaccoIhadstowedinmymanypockets——athingwhichIcouldnotbutregret，especiallywhenIknewitwasbeingwastedonthismanandthatwhoIwascertaincouldnotliveadaymore，or，atbest，twodaysorthree。
Forwebegantodiesoonintheopenboat。Nottostarvationbuttothekillingcoldandexposurewerethoseearlierdeathsdue。Itwasamatterofthesurvivalofthetoughestandtheluckiest。Iwastoughbyconstitution，andluckyinasmuchasIwaswarmlycladandhadnotbrokenmyleglikeAaronNorthrup。Evenso，sostrongwashethat，despitebeingthefirsttobeseverelyfrozen，hewasdaysinpassing。VanceHathawaywasthefirst。Wefoundhiminthegrayofdawncroucheddoubledinthebowandfrozenstiff。Theboy，LishDickery，wasthesecondtogo。Theotherboy，BennyHardwater，lastedtenoradozendays。
Sobitterwasitintheboatthatourwaterandbeerfrozesolid，anditwasadifficulttaskjustlytoapportionthepiecesIbrokeoffwithNorthrup’sclaspknife。Thesepiecesweputinourmouthsandsuckedtilltheymelted。Also，onoccasionofsnow-squalls，wehadallthesnowwedesired。Allofwhichwasnotgoodforus，causingafeverofinflammationtoattackourmouthssothatthemembraneswerecontinuallydryandburning。Andtherewasnoallayingathirstsogenerated。Tosuckmoreiceorsnowwasmerelytoaggravatetheinflammation。Morethananythingelse，IthinkitwasthisthatcausedthedeathofLishDickery。Hewasoutofhisheadandravingfortwenty-fourhoursbeforehedied。Hediedbabblingforwater，andyethedidnotdieforneedofwater。I
resistedasmuchaspossiblethetemptationtosuckice，contentingmyselfwithashredoftobaccoinmycheek，andmadeoutwithfaircomfort。
Westrippedallclothingfromourdead。Starktheycameintotheworld，andstarktheypassedoutoverthesideofthelongboatanddownintothedarkfreezingocean。Lotswerecastfortheclothes。
ThiswasbyCaptainNicholl’scommand，inordertopreventquarrelling。
Itwasnotimeforthefolliesofsentiment。Therewasnotoneofuswhodidnotknowsecretsatisfactionattheoccurrenceofeachdeath。LuckiestofallwasIsraelStickneyincastinglots，sothatintheend，whenhepassed，hewasaveritabletreasuretroveofclothing。Itgaveanewleaseoflifetothesurvivors。
Wecontinuedtoruntothenorth-eastbeforethefreshwesterlies，butourquestforwarmerweatherseemedvain。Everthesprayfrozeinthebottomoftheboat，andIstillchippedbeeranddrinkingwaterwithNorthrup’sknife。MyownknifeIreserved。Itwasofgoodsteel，withakeenedgeandstoutlyfashioned，andIdidnotcaretoperilitinsuchmanner。
Bythetimehalfourcompanywasoverboard，theboathadareasonablyhighfreeboardandwaslessticklishtohandleinthegusts。Likewisetherewasmoreroomforamantostretchoutcomfortably。
Asourceofcontinualgrumblingwasthefood。Thecaptain，themate，thesurgeon，andmyself，talkingitover，resolvednottoincreasethedailywhackofhalfapoundofmeat。Thesixsailors，forwhomTobiasSnowmadehimselfspokesman，contendedthatthedeathofhalfofuswasequivalenttoadoublingofourprovisioning，andthatthereforetherationshouldbeincreasedtoapound。Inreply，weoftheafterguardpointedoutthatitwasourchanceforlifethatwasdoubleddidwebutbearwiththehalf-poundration。
Itistruethateightouncesofsaltmeatdidnotgofarinenablingustoliveandtoresisttheseverecold。Wewerequiteweak，and，becauseofourweakness，wefrostedeasily。Nosesandcheekswereallblackwithfrost-bite。Itwasimpossibletobewarm，althoughwenowhaddoublethegarmentswehadstartedwith。
FiveweeksafterthelossoftheNegociatorthetroubleoverthefoodcametoahead。Iwasasleepatthetime——itwasnight——whenCaptainNichollcaughtJudHetchkinsstealingfromtheporkbarrel。
Thathewasabettedbytheotherfivemenwasprovedbytheiractions。ImmediatelyJudHetchkinswasdiscovered，thewholesixthrewthemselvesuponuswiththeirknives。Itwasclose，sharpworkinthedimlightofthestars，anditwasamercytheboatwasnotoverturned。Ihadreasontobethankfulformymanyshirtsandcoatswhichservedmeasanarmour。Theknife-thrustsscarcelymorethandrewbloodthroughthesogreatthicknessofcloth，althoughI
wasscratchedtobleedinginarounddozenofplaces。
Theothersweresimilarlyprotected，andthefightwouldhaveendedinnomorethanamaulingallaround，hadnotthemate，WalterDakon，averypowerfulman，hitupontheideaofendingthematterbytossingthemutineersoverboard。ThiswasjoinedinbyCaptainNicholl，thesurgeon，andmyself，andinatricefiveofthesixwereinthewaterandclingingtothegunwale。CaptainNichollandthesurgeonwerebusyamidshipswiththesixth，JeremyNalor，andwereintheactofthrowinghimoverboard，whilethematewasoccupiedwithrappingthefingersalongthegunwalewithaboat-
stretcher。ForthemomentIhadnothingtodo，andsowasabletoobservethetragicendofthemate。AsheliftedthestretchertorapSethRichards’fingers，thelatter，sinkingdownlowinthewaterandthenjerkinghimselfupbybothhands，spranghalfintotheboat，lockedhisarmsaboutthemateand，fallingbackwardandoutboard，draggedthematewithhim。Doubtlesslyheneverrelaxedhisgrip，andbothdrownedtogether。
Thusleftaliveoftheentireship’scompanywerethreeofus:
CaptainNicholl，ArnoldBenthamthesurgeon，andmyself。Sevenhadgoneinthetwinklingofaneye，consequentonJudHetchkins’
attempttostealprovisions。Andtomeitseemedapitythatsomuchgoodwarmclothinghadbeenwastedthereinthesea。Therewasnotoneofuswhocouldnothavemanagedgratefullywithmore。
CaptainNichollandthesurgeonweregoodmenandhonest。Oftenenough，whentwoofusslept，theoneawakeandsteeringcouldhavestolenfromthemeat。Butthisneverhappened。Wetrustedoneanotherfully，andwewouldhavediedratherthanbetraythattrust。
Wecontinuedtocontentourselveswithhalfapoundofmeateachperday，andwetookadvantageofeveryfavouringbreezetoworktothenorth’ard。NotuntilJanuaryfourteenth，sevenweekssincethewreck，didwecomeupwithawarmerlatitude。Eventhenitwasnotreallywarm。Itwasmerelynotsobitterlycold。
Herethefreshwesterliesforsookusandwebobbedandblobbedaboutindoldrummyweatherformanydays。Mostlyitwascalm，orlightcontrarywinds，thoughsometimesaburstofbreeze，aslikeasnotfromdeadahead，wouldlastforafewhours。Inourweakenedcondition，withsolargeaboat，itwasoutofthequestiontorow。
WecouldmerelyhoardourfoodandwaitforGodtoshowamorekindlyface。ThethreeofuswerefaithfulChristians，andwemadeapracticeofprayereachdaybeforetheapportionmentoffood。
Yes，andeachofusprayedprivately，oftenandlong。
BytheendofJanuaryourfoodwasnearitsend。Theporkwasentirelygone，andweusedthebarrelforcatchingandstoringrainwater。Notmanypoundsofbeefremained。Andinallthenineweeksintheopenboatwehadraisednosailandglimpsednoland。
CaptainNichollfranklyadmittedthataftersixty-threedaysofdeadreckoninghedidnotknowwherewewere。
ThetwentiethofFebruarysawthelastmorseloffoodeaten。I
prefertoskipthedetailsofmuchthathappenedinthenexteightdays。Ishalltouchonlyontheincidentsthatservetoshowwhatmannerofmenweremycompanions。Wehadstarvedsolong，thatwehadnoreservesofstrengthonwhichtodrawwhenthefoodutterlyceased，andwegrewweakerwithgreatrapidity。
OnFebruarytwenty-fourthwecalmlytalkedthesituationover。Wewerethreestout-spiritedmen，fulloflifeandtoughness，andwedidnotwanttodie。Nooneofuswouldvolunteertosacrificehimselffortheothertwo。Butweagreedonthreethings:wemusthavefood；wemustdecidethematterbycastinglots；andwewouldcastthelotsnextmorningiftherewerenowind。
Nextmorningtherewaswind，notmuchofit，butfair，sothatwewereabletologasluggishtwoknotsonournortherlycourse。Themorningsofthetwenty-sixthandtwenty-seventhfounduswithasimilarbreeze。Wewerefearfullyweak，butweabidedbyourdecisionandcontinuedtosail。
Butwiththemorningofthetwenty-eighthweknewthetimewascome。
Thelongboatrolleddrearilyonanempty，windlesssea，andthestagnant，overcastskygavenopromiseofanybreeze。Icutthreepiecesofcloth，allofasize，frommyjacket。Intheravelofoneofthesepieceswasabitofbrownthread。Whoeverdrewthislost。
Ithenputthethreelotsintomyhat，coveringitwithCaptainNicholl’shat。
Allwasready，butwedelayedforatimewhileeachprayedsilentlyandlong，forweknewthatwewereleavingthedecisiontoGod。I
wasnotunawareofmyownhonestyandworth；butIwasequallyawareofthehonestyandworthofmycompanions，sothatitperplexedmehowGodcoulddecidesofine-balancedanddelicateamatter。
Thecaptain，aswashisrightanddue，drewfirst。Afterhishandwasinthehathedelayedforsometimewithclosedeyes，hislipsmovingalastprayer。Andhedrewablank。Thiswasright——atruedecisionIcouldnotbutadmittomyself；forCaptainNicholl’slifewaslargelyknowntomeandIknewhimtobehonest，upright，andGod-fearing。
Remainedthesurgeonandme。Itwasoneortheother，and，accordingtoship’srating，itwashisduetodrawnext。Againweprayed。AsIprayedIstrovetoquestbackinmylifeandcastahurriedtally-sheetofmyownworthandunworth。
IheldthehatonmykneeswithCaptainNicholl’shatoverit。Thesurgeonthrustinhishandandfumbledaboutforsometime，whileI
wonderedwhetherthefeelofthatonebrownthreadcouldbedetectedfromtherestoftheravel。
Atlasthewithdrewhishand。Thebrownthreadwasinhispieceofcloth。IwasinstantlyveryhumbleandverygratefulforGod’sblessingthusextendedtome；andIresolvedtokeepmorefaithfullythaneverallofHiscommandments。ThenextmomentIcouldnothelpbutfeelthatthesurgeonandthecaptainwerepledgedtoeachotherbyclosertiesofpositionandintercoursethanwithme，andthattheywereinameasuredisappointedwiththeoutcome。Andclosewiththatthoughtrantheconvictionthattheyweresuchtruementhattheoutcomewouldnotinterferewiththeplanarranged。
Iwasright。Thesurgeonbaredarmandknifeandpreparedtoopenagreatvein。First，however，hespokeafewwords。
\"IamanativeofNorfolkintheVirginias，\"hesaid，\"whereI
expectIhavenowawifeandthreechildrenliving。TheonlyfavourthatIhavetorequestofyouis，thatshoulditpleaseGodtodelivereitherofyoufromyourperiloussituation，andshouldyoubesofortunateastoreachoncemoreyournativecountry，thatyouwouldacquaintmyunfortunatefamilywithmywretchedfate。\"
NextherequestedcourteouslyofusafewminutesinwhichtoarrangehisaffairswithGod。NeitherCaptainNichollnorIcouldutteraword，butwithstreamingeyeswenoddedourconsent。
WithoutdoubtArnoldBenthamwasthebestcollectedofthethreeofus。Myownanguishwasprodigious，andIamconfidentthatCaptainNichollsufferedequally。Butwhatwasonetodo？ThethingwasfairandproperandhadbeendecidedbyGod。
ButwhenArnoldBenthamhadcompletedhislastarrangementsandmadereadytodotheact，Icouldcontainmyselfnolonger，andcriedout:
\"Wait！Wewhohaveenduredsomuchsurelycanendurealittlemore。
Itisnowmid-morning。Letuswaituntiltwilight。Then，ifnoeventhasappearedtochangeourdreadfuldestiny，doyouArnoldBentham，doaswehaveagreed。\"
HelookedtoCaptainNichollforconfirmationofmysuggestion，andCaptainNichollcouldonlynod。Hecouldutternoword，butinhismoistandfrostyblueeyeswasawealthofacknowledgmentIcouldnotmisread。
Ididnot，Icouldnot，deemitacrime，havingsodeterminedbyfairdrawingoflots，thatCaptainNichollandmyselfshouldprofitbythedeathofArnoldBentham。IcouldnotbelievethattheloveoflifethatactuatedushadbeenimplantedinourbreastsbyaughtotherthanGod。ItwasGod’swill，andweHispoorcreaturescouldonlyobeyandfulfilHiswill。Andyet，Godwaskind。InHisall-
kindnessHesavedusfromsoterrible，thoughsorighteous，anact。
Scarcehadaquarterofanhourpassed，whenafanofairfromthewest，withahintoffrostanddampinit，crispedonourcheeks。
Inanotherfiveminuteswehadsteeragefromthefilledsail，andArnoldBenthamwasatthesteeringsweep。
\"Savewhatlittlestrengthyouhave，\"hehadsaid。\"Letmeconsumethelittlestrengthleftinmeinorderthatitmayincreaseyourchancetosurvive。\"
Andsohesteeredtoafresheningbreeze，whileCaptainNichollandIlaysprawledintheboat’sbottomandinourweaknessdreameddreamsandglimpsedvisionsofthedearthingsoflifefaracrosstheworldfromus。
Itwasanever-fresheningbreezeofwindthatsoonbegantopuffandgust。Thecloudstuffflyingacrosstheskyforetoldusofagale。
BymiddayArnoldBenthamfaintedatthesteering，and，eretheboatcouldbroachinthetidyseaalreadyrunning，CaptainNichollandI
wereatthesteeringsweepwithallthefourofourweakhandsuponit。Wecametoanagreement，and，justasCaptainNichollhaddrawnthefirstlotbyvirtueofhisoffice，sonowhetookthefirstspellatsteering。Thereafterthethreeofusspelledoneanothereveryfifteenminutes。Wewereveryweakandwecouldnotspelllongeratatime。
Bymid-afternoonadangerousseawasrunning。Weshouldhaveroundedtheboatto，hadoursituationnotbeensodesperate，andletherdriftbow-ontoasea-anchorextemporizedofourmastandsail。Hadwebroachedinthosegreat，over-toppingseas，theboatwouldhavebeenrolledoverandover。
Timeandagain，thatafternoon，ArnoldBentham，foroursakes，beggedthatwecometoasea-anchor。Heknewthatwecontinuedtorunonlyinthehopethatthedecreeofthelotsmightnothavetobecarriedout。Hewasanobleman。SowasCaptainNichollnoble，whosefrostyeyeshadwizenedtopointsofsteel。AndinsuchnoblecompanyhowcouldIbelessnoble？IthankedGodrepeatedly，throughthatlongafternoonofperil，fortheprivilegeofhavingknowntwosuchmen。Godandtherightdweltinthemandnomatterwhatmypoorfatemightbe，Icouldbutfeelwellrecompensedbysuchcompanionship。LikethemIdidnotwanttodie，yetwasunafraidtodie。Thequick，earlydoubtIhadhadofthesetwomenwaslongsincedissipated。Hardtheschool，andhardthemen，buttheywerenoblemen，God’sownmen。
Isawitfirst。ArnoldBentham，hisowndeathaccepted，andCaptainNicholl，wellnighacceptingdeath，layrollinglikeloose-bodieddeadmenintheboat’sbottom，andIwassteeringwhenIsawit。
Theboat，foamingandsurgingwiththeswiftnessofwindinitssail，wasupliftedonacrest，when，closebeforeme，Isawthesea-
batteredisletofrock。Itwasnothalfamileoff。Icriedout，sothattheothertwo，kneelingandreelingandclutchingforsupport，werepeeringandstaringatwhatIsaw。
\"Straightforit，Daniel，\"CaptainNichollmumbledcommand。\"Theremaybeacove。Theremaybeacove。Itisouronlychance。\"
Onceagainhespoke，whenwewereatopthatdreadfulleeshorewithnocoveexistent。
\"Straightforit，Daniel。Ifwegoclearwearetooweakevertowinbackagainstseaandwind。\"
Hewasright。Iobeyed。Hedrewhiswatchandlooked，andIaskedthetime。Itwasfiveo’clock。HestretchedouthishandtoArnoldBentham，whometandshookitweakly；andbothgazedatme，intheireyesextendingthatsamehand-clasp。Itwasfarewell，Iknew；forwhatchancehadcreaturessofeebleaswetowinaliveoverthosesurf-batteredrockstothehigherrocksbeyond？
Twentyfeetfromshoretheboatwassnatchedoutofmycontrol。InatriceitwasoverturnedandIwasstranglinginthesalt。Ineversawmycompanionsagain。BygoodfortuneIwasbuoyedbythesteering-oarIstillgrasped，andbygreatgoodfortuneaflingofsea，attherightinstant，attherightspot，threwmefarupthegentleslopeoftheoneshelvingrockonallthatterribleshore。I
wasnothurt。Iwasnotbruised。AndwithbrainreelingfromweaknessIwasabletocrawlandscramblefartherupbeyondtheclutchingbackwashofthesea。
Istoodupright，knowingmyselfsaved，andthankingGod，andstaggeringasIstood。Alreadytheboatwaspoundedtoathousandfragments。AndthoughIsawthemnot，IcouldguesshowgrievouslyhadbeenpoundedthebodiesofCaptainNichollandArnoldBentham。
Isawanoarontheedgeofthefoam，andatcertainriskIdrewitclear。ThenIfelltomyknees，knowingmyselffainting。Andyet，ereIfainted，withasailor’sinstinctIdraggedmybodyonandupamongthecruelhurtingrockstofaintfinallybeyondthereachofthesea。
Iwasnearadeadmanmyself，thatnight，mostlyinstupor，onlydimlyawareattimesoftheextremityofcoldandwetthatI
endured。Morningbroughtmeastonishmentandterror。Noplant，notabladeofgrass，grewonthatwretchedprojectionofrockfromtheocean’sbottom。Aquarterofamileinwidthandahalfmileinlength，itwasnomorethanaheapofrocks。NaughtcouldI
discovertogratifythecravingsofexhaustednature。Iwasconsumedwiththirst，yetwastherenofreshwater。InvainI
tastedtomymouth’sundoingeverycavityanddepressionintherocks。Thesprayofthegalesocompletelyhadenvelopedeveryportionoftheislandthateverydepressionwasfilledwithwatersaltasthesea。
Oftheboatremainednothing——notevenasplintertoshowthataboathadbeen。Istoodpossessedofmygarments，astoutknife，andtheoneoarIhadsaved。Thegalehadabated，andallthatday，staggeringandfalling，crawlingtillhandsandkneesbled，Ivainlysoughtwater。
Thatnight，nearerdeaththanever，Ishelteredbehindarockfromthewind。Aheavyshowerofrainmadememiserable。Iremovedmyvariouscoatsandspreadthemtosoakuptherain；but，whenIcametowringthemoisturefromthemintomymouth，Iwasdisappointed，becausetheclothhadbeenthoroughlyimpregnatedwiththesaltoftheoceaninwhichIhadbeenimmersed。Ilayonmyback，mymouthopentocatchthefewrain-dropsthatfelldirectlyintoit。Itwastantalizing，butitkeptmymembranesmoistandmefrommadness。
TheseconddayIwasaverysickman。I，whohadnoteatenforsolong，begantoswelltoamonstrousfatness——mylegs，myarms，mywholebody。Withtheslightestofpressuresmyfingerswouldsinkinafullinchintomyskin，andthedepressionssomadewerelongingoingaway。YetdidIlaboursoreinordertofulfilGod’swillthatIshouldlive。Carefully，withmyhands，Icleanedoutthesaltwaterfromeveryslighthole，inthehopethatsucceedingshowersofrainmightfillthemwithwaterthatIcoulddrink。
MysadlotandthememoriesofthelovedonesatElktonthrewmeintoamelancholy，sothatIoftenlostmyrecollectionforhoursatatime。Thiswasamercy，foritveiledmefrommysufferingsthatelsewouldhavekilledme。
InthenightIwasrousedbythebeatofrain，andIcrawledfromholetohole，lappinguptherainorlickingitfromtherocks。
Brackishitwas，butdrinkable。Itwaswhatsavedme，for，towardmorning，Iawoketofindmyselfinaprofuseperspirationandquitefreeofalldelirium。
Thencamethesun，thefirsttimesincemystayontheisland，andI
spreadmostofmygarmentstodry。OfwaterIdrankmycarefulfill，andIcalculatedtherewastendays’supplyifcarefullyhusbanded。ItwasamazinghowrichIfeltwiththisvastwealthofbrackishwater。Andnogreatmerchant，withallhisshipsreturnedfromprosperousvoyages，hiswarehousesfilledtotherafters，hisstrong-boxesoverflowing，couldhavefeltaswealthyasdidIwhenI
discovered，castupontherocks，thebodyofasealthathadbeendeadformanydays。NordidIfail，first，tothankGodonmykneesforthismanifestationofHisever-unfailingkindness。Thethingwascleartome:GodhadnotintendedIshoulddie。FromtheveryfirstHehadnotsointended。
Iknewthedebilitatedstateofmystomach，andIatesparinglyintheknowledgethatmynaturalvoracitywouldsurelykillmedidI
yieldmyselftoit。Neverhadsweetermorselspassedmylips，andI
makefreetoconfessthatIshedtearsofjoy，againandagain，atcontemplationofthatputrefiedcarcass。
Myheartofhopebeatstronginmeoncemore。CarefullyIpreservedtheportionsofthecarcassremaining。CarefullyIcoveredmyrockcisternswithflatstonessothatthesun’sraysmightnotevaporatethepreciousfluidandinprecautionagainstsomeupspringingofwindinthenightandthesuddenflyingofspray。AlsoIgatheredmetinyfragmentsofseaweedanddriedtheminthesunforaneasementbetweenmypoorbodyandtheroughrockswhereonImademylodging。Andmygarmentsweredry——thefirsttimeindays；sothatIslepttheheavysleepofexhaustionandofreturninghealth。
WhenIawoketoanewdayIwasanotherman。Theabsenceofthesundidnotdepressme，andIwasswiftlytolearnthatGod，notforgettingmewhileIslumbered，hadpreparedotherandwonderfulblessingsforme。Iwouldhavefainrubbedmyeyesandlookedagain，for，asfarasIcouldsee，therocksborderingupontheoceanwerecoveredwithseals。Therewerethousandsofthem，andinthewaterotherthousandsdisportedthemselves，whilethesoundthatwentupfromalltheirthroatswasprodigiousanddeafening。Iknewitwhen:Isawit——meatlaythereforthetaking，meatsufficientforascoreofships’companies。
Idirectlyseizedmyoar——thanwhichtherewasnootherstickofwoodontheisland——andcautiouslyadvanceduponallthatimmensityofprovender。Itwasquicklyguessedbymethatthesecreaturesoftheseawereunacquaintedwithman。Theybetrayednosignalsoftimidityatmyapproach，andIfounditaboy’stasktorapthemontheheadwiththeoar。
AndwhenIhadsokilledmythirdandmyfourth，Iwentimmediatelyandstrangelymad。IndeedquitebereftwasIofalljudgmentasI
slewandslewandcontinuedtoslay。ForthespaceoftwohoursI
toiledunceasinglywiththeoartillIwasreadytodrop。WhatexcessofslaughterImighthavebeenguiltyofIknownot，forattheendofthattime，asifbyasignal，allthesealsthatstilllivedthrewthemselvesintothewaterandswiftlydisappeared。
Ifoundthenumberofslainsealstoexceedtwohundred，andIwasshockedandfrightenedbecauseofthemadnessofslaughterthathadpossessedme。Ihadsinnedbywantonwastefulness，andafterIhaddulyrefreshedmyselfwiththisgoodwholesomefood，IsetaboutaswellasIcouldtomakeamends。Butfirst，erethegreattaskbegan，IreturnedthankstothatBeingthroughwhosemercyIhadbeensomiraculouslypreserved。ThereuponIlaboureduntildark，andafterdark，skinningtheseals，cuttingthemeatintostrips，andplacingituponthetopsofrockstodryinthesun。Also，I
foundsmalldepositsofsaltinthenooksandcranniesoftherocksontheweathersideoftheisland。ThisIrubbedintothemeatasapreservative。
FourdaysIsotoiled，andintheendwasfoolishlyproudbeforeGodinthatnoscrapofallthatsupplyofmeathadbeenwasted。Theunremittinglabourwasgoodformybody，whichbuiltuprapidlybymeansofthiswholesomedietinwhichIdidnotstintmyself。
AnotherevidenceofGod’smercy；never，intheeightyearsIspentonthatbarrenislet，wastheresolongaspellofclearweatherandsteadysunshineasintheperiodimmediatelyfollowingtheslaughteroftheseals。
Monthsweretopassoreeverthesealsrevisitedmyisland。ButinthemeantimeIwasanythingbutidle。Ibuiltmeahutofstone，and，adjoiningit，astorehouseformycuredmeat。ThehutIroofedwithmanyseal-skins，sothatitwasfairlywater-proof。ButI
couldneverceasetomarvel，whentherainbeatonthatroof，thatnolessthanaking’sransomintheLondonfurmarketprotectedacastawaysailorfromtheelements。
Iwasquicklyawareoftheimportanceofkeepingsomekindofreckoningoftime，withoutwhichIwassensiblethatIshouldsoonloseallknowledgeofthedayoftheweek，andbeunabletodistinguishonefromtheother，andnotknowwhichwastheLord’sday。
IrememberedbackcarefullytothereckoningoftimekeptinthelongboatbyCaptainNicholl；andcarefully，againandagain，tomakesurebeyondanyshadowofuncertainty，IwentoverthetaleofthedaysandnightsIhadspentontheisland。Then，bysevenstonesoutsidemyhut，Ikeptmyweeklycalendar。InoneplaceontheoarIcutasmallnotchforeachweek，andinanotherplaceontheoarI
notchedthemonths，beingdulycarefulindeed，toreckonintheadditionaldaystoeachmonthoverandbeyondthefourweeks。
ThusIwasenabledtopaydueregardtotheSabbath。AstheonlymodeofworshipIcouldadopt，Icarvedashorthymn，appropriatetomysituation，ontheoar，whichIneverfailedtochantontheSabbath。God，inHisall-mercy，hadnotforgottenme；nordidI，inthoseeightyears，failatallpropertimestorememberGod。
Itwasastonishingtheworkrequired，undersuchcircumstances，tosupplyone’ssimpleneedsoffoodandshelter。Indeed，Iwasrarelyidle，thatfirstyear。Thehut，itselfamerelairofrocks，neverthelesstooksixweeksofmytime。Thetardycuringandtheendlessscrapingofthesealskins，soastomakethemsoftandpliableforgarments，occupiedmysparemomentsformonthsandmonths。
Thentherewasthematterofmywatersupply。Afteranyheavygale，theflyingspraysaltedmysavedrainwater，sothatattimesIwasgrievouslyputtolivethroughtillfreshrainsfellunaccompaniedbyhighwinds。Awarethatacontinualdroppingwillwearastone，I
selectedalargestone，fineandtightoftextureand，bymeansofsmallerstones，Iproceededtopoundithollow。InfiveweeksofmostarduoustoilImanagedthustomakeajarwhichIestimatedtoholdagallonandahalf。Later，Isimilarlymadeafour-gallonjar。Ittookmenineweeks。OthersmallonesIalsomadefromtimetotime。One，thatwouldhavecontainedeightgallons，developedaflawwhenIhadworkedsevenweeksonit。
Butitwasnotuntilmyfourthyearontheisland，whenIhadbecomereconciledtothepossibilitythatImightcontinuetolivethereforthetermofmynaturallife，thatIcreatedmymasterpiece。Ittookmeeightmonths，butitwastight，anditheldupwardsofthirtygallons。Thesestonevesselswereagreatgratificationtome——somuchso，thatattimesIforgotmyhumilityandwasundulyvainofthem。Truly，theyweremoreeleganttomethanwaseverthecostliestpieceoffurnituretoanyqueen。Also，Imademeasmallrockvessel，containingnomorethanaquart，withwhichtoconveywaterfromthecatching-placestomylargereceptacles。WhenIsaythatthisone-quartvesselweighedalloftwostone，thereaderwillrealizethatthemeregatheringoftherainwaterwasnolighttask。
Thus，Irenderedmylonelysituationascomfortableascouldbeexpected。Ihadcompletedmeasnugandsecureshelter；and，astoprovision，Ihadalwaysonhandasixmonths’supply，preservedbysaltinganddrying。Forthesethings，soessentialtopreservelife，andwhichonecouldscarcelyhaveexpectedtoobtainuponadesertisland，IwassensiblethatIcouldnotbetoothankful。
Althoughdeniedtheprivilegeofenjoyingthesocietyofanyhumancreature，notevenofadogoracat，Iwasfarmorereconciledtomylotthanthousandsprobablywouldhavebeen。Uponthedesolatespot，wherefatehadplacedme，Iconceivedmyselffarmorehappythanmany，who，forignominiouscrimes，weredoomedtodragouttheirlivesinsolitaryconfinementwithconscienceeverbitingasacorrosivecanker。
Howeverdrearymyprospects，IwasnotwithouthopethatthatProvidence，which，attheverymomentwhenhungerthreatenedmewithdissolution，andwhenImighteasilyhavebeenengulfedinthemawofthesea，hadcastmeuponthosebarrenrocks，wouldfinallydirectsomeonetomyrelief。
Ifdeprivedofthesocietyofmyfellowcreatures，andoftheconveniencesoflife，Icouldnotbutreflectthatmyforlornsituationwasyetattendedwithsomeadvantages。Ofthewholeisland，thoughsmall，Ihadpeaceablepossession。Noone，itwasprobable，wouldeverappeartodisputemyclaim，unlessitweretheamphibiousanimalsoftheocean。Sincetheislandwasalmostinaccessible，atnightmyreposewasnotdisturbedbycontinualapprehensionoftheapproachofcannibalsorofbeastsofprey。
AgainandagainIthankedGodonmykneesforthesevariousandmanybenefactions。
Yetismaneverastrangeandunaccountablecreature。I，whohadaskedofGod’smercynomorethanputridmeattoeatandasufficiencyofwaternottoobrackish，wasnosoonerblessedwithanabundanceofcuredmeatandsweetwaterthanIbegantoknowdiscontentwithmylot。Ibegantowantfire，andthesavourofcookedmeatinmymouth。AndcontinuallyIwoulddiscovermyselflongingforcertaindelicaciesofthepalatesuchaswerepartofthecommondailyfareonthehometableatElkton。StriveasI
would，evermyfancyeludedmywillandwantonedinday-dreamingofthegoodthingsIhadeatenandofthegoodthingsIwouldeatifeverIwererescuedfrommylonelysituation。
ItwastheoldAdaminme，Isuppose——thetaintofthatfirstfatherwhowasthefirstrebelagainstGod’scommandments。Moststrangeisman，everinsatiable，everunsatisfied，neveratpeacewithGodorhimself，hisdaysfilledwithrestlessnessanduselessendeavour，hisnightsaglutofvaindreamsofdesireswilfulandwrong。Yes，andalsoIwasmuchannoyedbymycravingfortobacco。Mysleepwasoftenatormenttome，foritwasthenthatmydesirestooklicencetorove，sothatathousandtimesIdreamedmyselfpossessedofhogsheadsoftobacco——ay，andofwarehousesoftobacco，andofshiploadsandofentireplantationsoftobacco。
ButIrevengedmyselfuponmyself。IprayedGodunceasinglyforahumbleheart，andchastisedmyfleshwithunremittingtoil。Unabletoimprovemymind，Ideterminedtoimprovemybarrenisland。I
labouredfourmonthsatconstructingastonewallthirtyfeetlong，includingitswings，andadozenfeethigh。Thiswasasaprotectiontothehutintheperiodsofthegreatgaleswhenalltheislandwasasatinypetrelinthemawofthehurricane。NordidI
conceivethetimemisspent。ThereafterIlaysnugintheheartofcalmwhilealltheairforahundredfeetabovemyheadwasonestreamofgust-drivenwater。
InthethirdyearIbeganmeapillarofrock。Ratherwasitapyramid，four-square，broadatthebase，slopingupwardnotsteeplytotheapex。InthisfashionIwascompelledtobuild，forgearandtimbertherewasnoneinalltheislandfortheconstructionofscaffolding。Notuntilthecloseofthefifthyearwasmypyramidcomplete。Itstoodonthesummitoftheisland。Now，whenIstatethatthesummitwasbutfortyfeetabovethesea，andthatthepeakofmypyramidwasfortyfeetabovethesummit，itwillbeconceivedthatI，withouttools，haddoubledthestatureoftheisland。ItmightbeurgedbysomeunthinkingonesthatIinterferedwithGod’splaninthecreationoftheworld。Notso，Ihold。ForwasnotI
equallyapartofGod’splan，alongwiththisheapofrocksupjuttinginthesolitudeofocean？Myarmswithwhichtowork，mybackwithwhichtobendandlift，myhandscunningtoclutchandhold——werenotthesepartstooinGod’splan？MuchIponderedthematter。IknowthatIwasright。
InthesixthyearIincreasedthebaseofmypyramid，sothatineighteenmonthsthereaftertheheightofmymonumentwasfiftyfeetabovetheheightoftheisland。ThiswasnotowerofBabel。Itservedtworightpurposes。Itgavemealookoutfromwhichtoscantheoceanforships，andincreasedthelikelihoodofmyislandbeingsightedbythecarelessrovingeyeofanyseaman。Anditkeptmybodyandmindinhealth。Withhandsneveridle，therewassmallopportunityforSatanonthatisland。Onlyinmydreamsdidhetormentme，principallywithvisionsofvariedfoodsandwithimaginedindulgenceinthefoulweedcalledtobacco。
OntheeighteenthdayofthemonthofJune，inthesixthyearofmysojournontheisland，Idescriedasail。Butitpassedfartoleewardattoogreatadistancetodiscoverme。Ratherthansufferingdisappointment，theveryappearanceofthissailaffordedmetheliveliestsatisfaction。ItconvincedmeofafactthatIhadbeforeinadegreedoubted，towit:thattheseseasweresometimesvisitedbynavigators。
Amongotherthings，wherethesealshauledupoutofthesea，I
builtwide-spreadingwingsoflowrockwallsthatnarrowedtoaculdesac，whereImightconvenientlykillsuchsealsasenteredwithoutexcitingtheirfellowsoutsideandwithoutpermittinganywoundedorfrighteningsealtoescapeandspreadacontagionofalarm。Sevenmonthstothisstructurealoneweredevoted。
Asthetimepassed，Igrewmorecontentedwithmylot，andthedevilcamelessandlessinmysleeptotormenttheoldAdaminmewithlawlessvisionsoftobaccoandsavouryfoods。AndIcontinuedtoeatmysealmeatandcallitgood，andtodrinkthesweetrainwaterofwhichalwaysIhadplenty，andtobegratefultoGod。AndGodheardme，Iknow，forduringallmytermonthatislandIknewneveramomentofsickness，savetwo，bothofwhichwereduetomygluttony，asIshalllaterrelate。
Inthefifthyear，ereIhadconvincedmyselfthatthekeelsofshipsdidonoccasionploughtheseseas，IbegancarvingonmyoarminutesofthemoreremarkableincidentsthathadattendedmesinceIquittedthepeacefulshoresofAmerica。ThisIrenderedasintelligibleandpermanentaspossible，thelettersbeingofthesmallestsize。Six，andevenfive，letterswereoftenaday’sworkforme，sopainstakingwasI。
And，lestitshouldprovemyhardfortunenevertomeetwiththelong-wishedopportunitytoreturntomyfriendsandtomyfamilyatElkton，Iengraved，ornitched，onthebroadendoftheoar，thelegendofmyillfatewhichIhavealreadyquotednearthebeginningofthisnarrative。
Thisoar，whichhadprovedsoserviceabletomeinmydestitutesituation，andwhichnowcontainedarecordofmyownfateandthatofmyshipmates，Isparednopainstopreserve。NolongerdidI
riskitinknockingsealsonthehead。Instead，Iequippedmyselfwithastoneclub，somethreefeetinlengthandofsuitablediameter，whichoccupiedanevenmonthinthefashioning。Also，tosecuretheoarfromtheweatherforIuseditinmildbreezesasaflagstaffontopofmypyramidfromwhichtoflyaflagImademefromoneofmypreciousshirtsIcontrivedforitacoveringofwell-curedsealskins。
InthemonthofMarchofthesixthyearofmyconfinementI
experiencedoneofthemosttremendousstormsthatwasperhapseverwitnessedbyman。Itcommencedataboutnineintheevening，withtheapproachofblackcloudsandafresheningwindfromthesouth-
west，which，byeleven，hadbecomeahurricane，attendedwithincessantpealsofthunderandthesharpestlightningIhadeverwitnessed。
Iwasnotwithoutapprehensionforthesafetyoftheisland。Overeveryparttheseasmadeacleanbreach，exceptofthesummitofmypyramid。Therethelifewasnighbeatenandsuffocatedoutofmybodybythedriveofthewindandspray。Icouldnotbutbesensiblethatmyexistencewassparedsolelybecauseofmydiligenceinerectingthepyramidandsodoublingthestatureoftheisland。
Yet，inthemorning，Ihadgreatreasonforthankfulness。Allmysavedrainwaterwasturnedbrackish，savethatinmylargestvesselwhichwasshelteredintheleeofthepyramid。BycarefuleconomyI
knewIhaddrinksufficientuntilthenextrain，nomatterhowdelayed，shouldfall。Myhutwasquitewashedoutbytheseas，andofmygreatstoreofsealmeatonlyawretched，pulpymodicumremained。NeverthelessIwasagreeablysurprisedtofindtherocksplentifullydistributedwithasortoffishmorenearlylikethemulletthananyIhadeverobserved。OftheseIpickedupnolessthantwelvehundredandnineteen，whichIsplitandcuredinthesunafterthemannerofcod。Thiswelcomechangeofdietwasnotwithoutitsconsequence。Iwasguiltyofgluttony，andforallofthesucceedingnightIwasneartodeath’sdoor。
Intheseventhyearofmystayontheisland，intheverysamemonthofMarch，occurredasimilarstormofgreatviolence。Followinguponit，tomyastonishment，Ifoundanenormousdeadwhale，quitefresh，whichhadbeencastuphighanddrybythewaves。ConceivemygratificationwheninthebowelsofthegreatfishIfounddeeplyimbeddedaharpoonofthecommonsortwithafewfathomsofnewlineattachedthereto。
ThusweremyhopesagainrevivedthatIshouldfinallymeetwithanopportunitytoquitthedesolateisland。Beyonddoubttheseseaswerefrequentedbywhalemen，and，solongasIkeptupastoutheart，soonerorlaterIshouldbesaved。ForsevenyearsIhadlivedonsealmeat，sothatatsightoftheenormousplentitudeofdifferentandsucculentfoodIfellavictimtomyweaknessandateofsuchquantitiesthatonceagainIwaswellnightodying。Andyet，afterall，this，andtheaffairofthesmallfish，weremereindispositionsduetotheforeignnessofthefoodtomystomach，whichhadlearnedtoprosperonsealmeatandonnothingbutsealmeat。
OfthatonewhaleIpreservedafullyear’ssupplyofprovision。
Also，underthesun’srays，intherockhollows，Itriedoutmuchoftheoil，which，withtheadditionofsalt，wasawelcomethinginwhichtodipmystripsofseal-meatwhilstdining。OutofmypreciousragsofshirtsIcouldevenhavecontrivedawick，sothat，withtheharpoonforsteelandrockforflint，Imighthavehadalightatnight。Butitwasavainthing，andIspeedilyforwentthethoughtofit。IhadnoneedforlightwhenGod’sdarknessdescended，forIhadschooledmyselftosleepfromsundowntosunrise，winterandsummer。
I，DarrellStanding，cannotrefrainfrombreakinginonthisrecitalofanearlierexistenceinordertonoteaconclusionofmyown。
Sincehumanpersonalityisagrowth，asumofallpreviousexistencesaddedtogether，whatpossibilitywasthereforWardenAthertontobreakdownmyspiritintheinquisitionofsolitary？I
amlifethatsurvived，astructurebuildedupthroughtheagesofthepast——andsuchapast！Whatweretendaysandnightsinthejackettome？——tome，whohadoncebeenDanielFoss，andforeightyearslearnedpatienceinthatschoolofrocksinthefarSouthOcean？
AttheendofmyeighthyearontheislandinthemonthofSeptember，whenIhadjustsketchedmostambitiousplanstoraisemypyramidtosixtyfeetabovethesummitoftheisland，Iawokeonemorningtostareoutuponashipwithtopsailsabackandnearlywithinhail。ThatImightbediscovered，Iswungmyoarintheair，jumpedfromrocktorock，andwasguiltyofallmanneroflivelinessesofaction，untilIcouldseetheofficersonthequarter-decklookingatmethroughtheirspyglasses。Theyansweredbypointingtotheextremewesterlyendoftheisland，whitherI
hastenedanddiscoveredtheirboatmannedbyhalfadozenmen。Itseems，asIwastolearnafterward，theshiphadbeenattractedbymypyramidandhadaltereditscoursetomakecloserexaminationofsostrangeastructurethatwasgreaterofheightthanthewildislandonwhichitstood。
Butthesurfprovedtobetoogreattopermittheboattolandonmyinhospitableshore。Afterdiversunsuccessfulattemptstheysignalledmethattheymustreturntotheship。Conceivemydespairatthusbeingunabletoquitthedesolateisland。IseizedmyoarwhichIhadlongsincedeterminedtopresenttothePhiladelphiaMuseumifeverIwerepreservedandwithitplungedheadlongintothefoamingsurf。Suchwasmygoodfortune，andmystrengthandagility，thatIgainedtheboat。
Icannotrefrainfromtellinghereacuriousincident。Theshiphadbythistimedriftedsofaraway，thatwewereallofanhouringettingaboard。DuringthistimeIyieldedtomypropensitiesthathadbeenbaffledforeightlongyears，andbeggedofthesecondmate，whosteered，apieceoftobaccotochew。Thisgranted，thesecondmatealsoprofferedmehispipe，filledwithprimeVirginialeaf。ScarcehadtenminutespassedwhenIwastakenviolentlysick。Thereasonforthiswasclear。Mysystemwasentirelypurgedoftobacco，andwhatInowsufferedwastobaccopoisoningsuchasafflictsanyboyatthetimeofhisfirstsmoke。AgainIhadreasontobegratefultoGod，andfromthatdaytothedayofmydeath，I
neitherusednordesiredthefoulweed。
I，DarrellStanding，mustnowcompletetheamazingnessofthedetailsofthisexistencewhichIrelivedwhileunconsciousinthestrait-jacketinSanQuentinprison。IoftenwonderedifDanielFosshadbeentrueinhisresolveanddepositedthecarvedoarinthePhiladelphiaMuseum。
Itisadifficultmatterforaprisonerinsolitarytocommunicatewiththeoutsideworld。Once，withaguard，andoncewithashort-
timerinsolitary，Ientrusted，bymemorization，aletterofinquiryaddressedtothecuratoroftheMuseum。Althoughunderthemostsolemnpledges，boththesemenfailedme。ItwasnotuntilafterEdMorrell，byastrangewhirloffate，wasreleasedfromsolitaryandappointedheadtrustyoftheentireprison，thatIwasabletohavethelettersent。Inowgivethereply，sentmebythecuratorofthePhiladelphiaMuseum，andsmuggledtomebyEdMorrell:
\"Itistruethereissuchanoarhereasyouhavedescribed。Butfewpersonscanknowofit，foritisnotonexhibitioninthepublicrooms。Infact，andIhaveheldthispositionforeighteenyears，Iwasunawareofitsexistencemyself。
\"ButuponconsultingouroldrecordsIfoundthatsuchanoarhadbeenpresentedbyoneDanielFoss，ofElkton，Maryland，intheyear1821。Notuntilafteralongsearchdidwefindtheoarinadisusedatticlumber-roomofoddsandends。Thenotchesandthelegendarecarvedontheoarjustasyouhavedescribed。
\"Wehavealsoonfileapamphletpresentedatthesametime，writtenbythesaidDanielFoss，andpublishedinBostonbythefirmofN。
Coverly，Jr。，intheyear1834。Thispamphletdescribeseightyearsofacastaway’slifeonadesertisland。Itisevidentthatthismariner，inhisoldageandinwant，hawkedthispamphletaboutamongthecharitable。
\"Iamverycurioustolearnhowyoubecameawareofthisoar，oftheexistenceofwhichweofthemuseumwereignorant。AmIcorrectinassumingthatyouhavereadanaccountinsomediarypublishedlaterbythisDanielFoss？Ishallbegladforanyinformationonthesubject，andamproceedingatoncetohavetheoarandthepamphletputbackonexhibition。
Verytrulyyours，\"HOSEASALSBURTY。\"{1}
CHAPTERXX
ThetimecamewhenIhumbledWardenAthertontounconditionalsurrender，makingavainandemptymouthingofhisultimatum，\"Dynamiteorcurtains。\"Hegavemeupasonewhocouldnotbekilledinastrait-jacket。Hehadhadmendieafterseveralhoursinthejacket。Hehadhadmendieafterseveraldaysinthejacket，although，invariably，theywereunlacedandcartedintohospitaleretheybreathedtheirlast……andreceivedadeathcertificatefromthedoctorofpneumonia，orBright’sdisease，orvalvulardiseaseoftheheart。
ButmeWardenAthertoncouldneverkill。Neverdidtheurgencyariseofcartingmymaltreatedandperishingcarcasstothehospital。YetIwillsaythatWardenAthertontriedhisbestanddaredhisworst。Therewasthetimewhenhedouble-jacketedme。ItissorichanincidentthatImusttellit。
IthappenedthatoneoftheSanFrancisconewspapersseeking，aseverynewspaperandaseverycommercialenterpriseseeks，amarketthatwillenableittorealizeaprofittriedtointeresttheradicalportionoftheworkingclassinprisonreform。Asaresult，unionlabourpossessinganimportantpoliticalsignificanceatthetime，thetime-servingpoliticiansatSacramentoappointedasenatorialcommitteeofinvestigationofthestateprisons。
ThisStateSenatecommitteeINVESTIGATEDpardonmyitalicizedsneerSanQuentin。Neverwastheresomodelaninstitutionofdetention。Theconvictsthemselvessotestified。Norcanoneblamethem。Theyhadexperiencedsimilarinvestigationsinthepast。
Theyknewonwhichsidetheirbreadwasbuttered。Theyknewthatalltheirsidesandmostoftheirribswouldacheveryquicklyafterthetakingoftheirtestimony……ifsaidtestimonywereadversetotheprisonadministration。Oh，believeme，myreader，itisaveryancientstory。ItwasancientinoldBabylon，manyathousandyearsago，asIwellrememberofthatoldtimewhenIrottedinprisonwhilepalaceintriguesshookthecourt。
AsIhavesaid，everyconvicttestifiedtothehumanenessofWardenAtherton’sadministration。Infact，sotouchingweretheirtestimonialstothekindnessoftheWarden，tothegoodandvariedqualityofthefoodandthecooking，tothegentlenessoftheguards，andtothegeneraldecencyandeaseandcomfortoftheprisondomicile，thattheoppositionnewspapersofSanFranciscoraisedanindignantcryformorerigourinthemanagementofourprisons，inthat，otherwise，honestbutlazycitizenswouldbeseducedintoseekingenrolmentasprisonguests。
TheSenateCommitteeeveninvadedsolitary，wherethethreeofushadlittletoloseandnothingtogain。JakeOppenheimerspatinitsfacesandtolditsmembers，allandsundry，togotohell。EdMorrelltoldthemwhatanoisomestewstheplacewas，insultedtheWardentohisface，andwasrecommendedbythecommitteetobegivenatasteoftheantiquatedandobsoletepunishmentsthat，afterall，musthavebeendevisedbypreviousWardensoutofnecessityfortherighthandlingofhardcharacterslikehim。
IwascarefulnottoinsulttheWarden。Itestifiedcraftily，andasascientist，beginningwithsmallbeginnings，makinganartofmyexposition，stepbystep，bytinysteps，inveiglingmysenatorialauditorsonintowillingnessandeagernesstolistentothenextexposure，thewholefabricsowoventhattherewasnonaturalhaltingplaceatwhichtodropaperiodorinterpolateaquery……
inthisfashion，thus，Igotmytaleacross。
Alas！nowhisperofwhatIdivulgedeverwentoutsidetheprisonwalls。TheSenateCommitteegaveabeautifulwhitewashtoWardenAthertonandSanQuentin。ThecrusadingSanFrancisconewspaperassureditsworking-classreadersthatSanQuentinwaswhiterthansnow，andfurther，thatwhileitwastruethatthestrait-jacketwasstillarecognizedlegalmethodofpunishmentfortherefractory，that，nevertheless，atthepresenttime，underthepresenthumaneandspirituallyright-mindedWarden，thestrait-jacketwasnever，underanycircumstance，used。
Andwhilethepoorassesoflabourersreadandbelieved，whiletheSenateCommitteedinedandwinedwiththeWardenattheexpenseofthestateandthetaxpayer，EdMorrell，JakeOppenheimer，andI
werelyinginourjackets，lacedjustatriflemoretightlyandmorevindictivelythanwehadeverbeenlacedbefore。
\"Itistolaugh，\"EdMorrelltappedtome，withtheedgeofthesoleofhisshoe。
\"Ishouldworry，\"tappedJake。
Andasforme，Itoocappedmybitterscornandlaughter，rememberedtheprisonhousesofoldBabylon，smiledtomyselfahugecosmicsmile，anddriftedoffandawayintothelargenessofthelittledeaththatmademeheirofalltheagesandtheriderfull-panopliedandastrideoftime。
Yea，dearbrotheroftheoutsideworld，whilethewhitewashwasrunningoffthepress，whiletheaugustsenatorswerewininganddining，wethreeofthelivingdead，buriedaliveinsolidarity，weresweatingourpaininthecanvastorture。
Andafterthedinner，warmwithwine，WardenAthertonhimselfcametoseehowfareditwithus。Me，asusual，theyfoundincoma。
DoctorJacksonforthefirsttimemusthavebeenalarmed。Iwasbroughtbackacrossthedarktoconsciousnesswiththebiteofammoniainmynostrils。Ismiledintothefacesbentoverme。
\"Shamming，\"snortedtheWarden，andIknewbytheflushonhisfaceandthethicknessinhistonguethathehadbeendrinking。
Ilickedmylipsasasignforwater，forIdesiredtospeak。
\"Youareanass，\"Iatlastmanagedtosaywithcolddistinctness。
\"Youareanass，acoward，acur，apitifulthingsolowthatspittlewouldbewastedonyourface。InsuchmatterJakeOppenheimerisover-generouswithyou。Asforme，withoutshameI
tellyoutheonlyreasonIdonotspituponyouisthatIcannotdemeanmyselfnorsodegrademyspittle。\"
\"I’vereachedthelimitofmypatience！\"hebellowed。\"Iwillkillyou，Standing！\"
\"You’vebeendrinking，\"Iretorted。\"AndIwouldadviseyou，ifyoumustsaysuchthings，nottotakesomanyofyourprisoncursintoyourconfidence。Theywillsnitchonyousomeday，andyouwillloseyourjob。\"
Butthewinewasupandmasterofhim。
\"Putanotherjacketonhim，\"hecommanded。\"Youareadeadman，Standing。Butyou’llnotdieinthejacket。We’llburyyoufromthehospital。\"
Thistime，overthepreviousjacket，thesecondjacketwasputonfrombehindandlacedupinfront。
\"Lord，Lord，Warden，itisbitterweather，\"Isneered。\"Thefrostissharp。WhereforeIamindeedgratefulforyourgivingmetwojackets。Ishallbealmostcomfortable。\"
\"Tighter！\"heurgedtoAlHutchins，whowasdrawingthelacing。
\"Throwyourfeetintotheskunk。Breakhisribs。\"
ImustadmitthatHutchinsdidhisbest。
\"YouWILLlieaboutme，\"theWardenraved，theflushofwineandwrathfloodingruddierintohisface。\"Nowseewhatyougetforit。
Yournumberistakenatlast，Standing。Thisisyourfinish。Doyouhear？Thisisyourfinish。\"
\"Afavour，Warden，\"Iwhisperedfaintly。FaintIwas。PerforceI
wasnearlyunconsciousfromthefearfulconstriction。\"Makeitatriplejacketing，\"Imanagedtocontinue，whilethecellwallsswayedandreeledaboutmeandwhileIfoughtwithallmywilltoholdtomyconsciousnessthatwasbeingsqueezedoutofmebythejackets。\"Anotherjacket……Warden……It……will……be……so……much……er……warmer。\"
AndmywhisperfadedawayasIebbeddownintothelittledeath。
Iwasneverthesamemanafterthatdouble-jacketing。Neveragain，tothisday，nomatterwhatmyfood，wasIproperlynurtured。I
sufferedinternalinjuriestoanextentInevercaredtoinvestigate。TheoldpaininmyribsandstomachiswithmenowasIwritetheselines。Butthepoor，maltreatedmachineryhasserveditspurpose。Ithasenabledmetolivethusfar，anditwillenablemetolivethelittlelongertothedaytheytakemeoutintheshirtwithoutacollarandstretchmyneckwiththewell-stretchedrope。
Butthedouble-jacketingwasthelaststraw。ItbrokedownWardenAtherton。HesurrenderedtothedemonstrationthatIwasunkillable。AsItoldhimonce:
\"Theonlywayyoucangetme，Warden，istosneakinheresomenightwithahatchet。\"
JakeOppenheimerwasresponsibleforagoodoneontheWardenwhichImustrelate:
\"Isay，Warden，itmustbestraighthellforyoutohavetowakeupeverymorningwithyourselfonyourpillow。\"
AndEdMorrelltotheWarden:
\"Yourmothermusthavebeendamnfondofchildrentohaveraisedyou。\"
Itwasreallyanoffencetomewhenthejacketingceased。Isadlymissedthatdreamworldofmine。Butnotforlong。IfoundthatI
couldsuspendanimationbytheexerciseofmywill，aidedmechanicallybyconstrictingmychestandabdomenwiththeblanket。
ThusIinducedphysiologicalandpsychologicalstatessimilartothosecausedbythejacket。So，atwill，andwithouttheoldtorment，Iwasfreetoroamthroughtime。
EdMorrellbelievedallmyadventures，butJakeOppenheimerremainedscepticaltothelast。ItwasduringmythirdyearinsolitarythatIpaidOppenheimeravisit。Iwasneverabletodoitbutthatonce，andthatonetimewaswhollyunplannedandunexpected。
ItwasmerelyafterunconsciousnesshadcometomethatIfoundmyselfinhiscell。Mybody，Iknew，layinthejacketbackinmyowncell。AlthoughneverbeforehadIseenhim，IknewthatthismanwasJakeOppenheimer。Itwassummerweather，andhelaywithoutclothesontophisblanket。Iwasshockedbyhiscadaverousfaceandskeleton-likebody。Hewasnoteventheshellofaman。Hewasmerelythestructureofaman，thebonesofaman，stillcohering，strippedpracticallyofallfleshandcoveredwithaparchment-likeskin。