第8章

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，ArnoldBentham(thesurgeon)，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，tosecuretheoarfromtheweather(forIuseditinmildbreezesasaflagstaffontopofmypyramidfromwhichtoflyaflagImademefromoneofmypreciousshirts)Icontrivedforitacoveringofwell-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。Iseizedmyoar(whichIhadlongsincedeterminedtopresenttothePhiladelphiaMuseumifeverIwerepreserved)andwithitplungedheadlongintothefoamingsurf。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。

IthappenedthatoneoftheSanFrancisconewspapers(seeking，aseverynewspaperandaseverycommercialenterpriseseeks，amarketthatwillenableittorealizeaprofit)triedtointeresttheradicalportionoftheworkingclassinprisonreform。Asaresult，unionlabourpossessinganimportantpoliticalsignificanceatthetime，thetime-servingpoliticiansatSacramentoappointedasenatorialcommitteeofinvestigationofthestateprisons。

ThisStateSenatecommitteeINVESTIGATED(pardonmyitalicizedsneer)SanQuentin。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。