Page 421 - Child's own book

violent ague, which made me so weak that I could hardly
carry my gun i and when the fit was on me I almost perished
with thirst. One night, as I was ruminating on my sad con­
dition, expecting the return of my fit, it occurred to my
thoughts that the Brazilians took no physic but tobacco ; and
I went, directed by Hi'aven, no doubt, to starch For some in
the chest; and there 1 found a Bible; J brought both that and
the tobacco to my table ; I stet-ped some of the last in rum ;
some I burnt in 3 pan of coals, holding my head over the fume;
and some I c h e w e d . During the interval of this operation, I
opened my book*and the first wotdson which I cast my eyes,
were—4,1 Cali upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver
thee,” The words struck me ■ but I could read no more, for
the tobacco made me excessively sleepy. I therefore went to
bed, and falling into a profound sleep, I believe I slept two
days, and awoke perfectly recovered.
1 now took a survey of the island ; and at about two miles'
distance from my habitation, found some fine savannahs, and a
little further a variety of fruit, melons upon the ground, and
vines covcred with clusters of grapes. - I proceeded with my
discoveries and came to an opening that seemed to descend to
the west, where everything was in such constant verdure, that
it looked like a beautiful garden. I carried some grapes and a
few limes back with me; but the grapes were spoiled before I
got home. [ went the next day, and gathered a large quantity
of grapes, and hung them upon the branches of the trees, that
they might cure, and dry in the sun ; but as for the limes and
melons, I carried a& many as I eould welj stand under, I was
so enamoured of this place, that I built myself a bower, fenced
with a double hedge; and this country-house, as 1 called it,
cost me two months’ labour; but I hardly began to enjoy my
habitation, w hen the rains came on, and I was obliged to retreat