metimes with the other, I
came to an island, and got safely ashore.

"I sat down upon the grass, to recover myself from my fatigue, after
which I went into the island to explore it. I found trees everywhere,
some of them bearing green, and others ripe fruits, and streams of fresh
pure water. I ate of the fruits, which I found excellent; and drank of
the water, which was very good.

"When I was a little advanced into the island, I saw an old man, who
appeared very weak and infirm. He was sitting on the bank of a stream,
and at first I took him to be one who had been shipwrecked like myself.
I went toward him and saluted him, but he only slightly bowed his head.
I asked him why he sat so still, but instead of answering me, he made a
sign for me to take him upon my back, and carry him over the brook,
signifying that it was to gather fruit.

"I believed him really to stand in need of my assistance, took him upon
my back, and having carried him over, bade him get down, and for that
end stooped, that he might get off with ease; but instead of doing so
(which I laugh at every time I think of it) the old man, who to me
appeared quite decrepit, clasped his legs nimbly about my neck. He sat
astride upon my shoulders, and held my throat so tight, that I thought
he would have strangled me, the apprehension of which made me swoon and
fall down.

"Notwithstanding my fainting, the ill-natured old fellow kept fast about
my neck, but opened his legs a little to give me time to recover my
breath. When I had done so, he thrust one of his feet against my
stomach, and struck me so rudely on the side with the other that he
forced me to rise up against my will. Having arisen, he made me walk
under the trees, and forced me now and then to stop, to gather and eat
fruit. He never left me all day, and when I lay down to rest at night,
laid himself down with me, holding always fast about my neck. Every
morning he pushed me to make me awake, and afterward obliged me to get
up and walk, and pressed me with his feet.

"One day I found in my way several dry calabashes that had fallen from a
tree. I took a large one, and after cleaning it, pressed into it some
juice of grapes, which abounded in the island; having filled the
calabash, I put it by in a convenient place, and going thither again
some days after, I tasted it, and found the wine so good, that it soon
made me forget my sorrow, gave me new vigour, and so exhilarated my
spirits, that I be