olace and content, insomuch that (to my
great wonder) I presently found myself whistling like any boy. At last
I got me forth mightily refreshed, and that the wind and sun might dry
me, strove to cleanse my garments, but finding it a thankless task I
got dressed at last, but my chain-shirt I left folded beside the pool
and I much more comfortable therefor.

Following the dancing rill, I clambered down the rocks and so into the
little valley where ran the stream. Fording this, I came amid thickets
where was a glory of flowers of all colours, but one in especial I
noticed, white and trumpet-shaped. And here I was often stayed by
quickset and creeping plants, their stems very pliant and strong and of
the bigness of my little finger. On went I haphazard through a green
twilight of leaves, for here (as hath been said) were many trees both
great and small, some of which were utterly strange to me, but others I
knew for cocos-palms, plantain and bread-fruit, the which rejoiced me
greatly; and hereabouts I found growing great bunches of black fruit
like to grapes, though smaller, and which I would not dare touch until,
seeing divers birds peck at them, I ventured to taste and found them
excellent. So, gathering some of these to stay my hunger I pressed on,
despite the heat, for from somewhere before me was the roar of great
waters, and forced me a passage with my hatchet until this denser wood
gave place to a grove of mighty palm trees, and beyond these I came
suddenly upon a great, barren rock that overhung a lake, whose dark
waters were troubled by a torrent hard by that poured into it with a
great rushing sound, a torrent of prodigious volume though of no great
height. "So here" (thinks I) "is Adam's 'notable fall of water,'" and
sitting down, I fell to viewing the place, munching my grapes the
while. Opposite me the lake was bounded by a high-sloping sandy beach
with trees beyond, while beyond these again rose that high, tree-clad
hill whose barren, rocky dome we had seen from afar. Now the waters of
this lake flooded away through a great rent in the surrounding rocks
betwixt which I might catch a glimpse of the distant sea; and beholding
this rushing cataract I must needs fall a-wondering where so great a
body of water should come from, and to ponder on the marvels of nature.
And from this I got to considering how we might cross this stream,
supposing we should explore the island. I was yet puzzling this when,
gla