"My heart telleth me so!" says she drowsily, and looking down I saw her
eyes were closed and she on the verge of slumber. And beholding her
thus, my self-hate grew, insomuch that her fingers loosing their hold,
I stole away my hand and, seeing her asleep, crept from the place.
Being come to the stream I stood awhile staring down at the hurrying
waters, minded to cast myself therein; but presently I turned aside,
and coming amid leafy gloom lay there outstretched, my face hidden from
the stars and I very full of bitterness, for it seemed that I was as
great a rogue and well-nigh as vile as ever Bartlemy had been. And
thus merciful sleep found me at last.

CHAPTER XXXIV

HOW I STOOD RESOLUTE IN MY FOLLY

The day was still young when we reached our habitation, and both of us
glad to return, especially my lady.

"For truly I do grow to love this home of ours," says she, and sets
herself to sweeping out her three caves. As for me I was determined on
making her an arm chair forthright; to the which end I took my saw and
set out for Deliverance Sands, there to cut and select such timber as I
needed from my store. But scarce was I come hither than I uttered a
shout of joy, for there, cast up high upon these white sands, lay a
great mast in a tangle of ropes and cordage.

Drawing near, I saw this for the mainmast of some noble ship but lately
wrecked, wherefore I hasted along the beach and out upon the reef to
see if haply any other wreckage had come ashore, but found nothing to
reward my search. Returning to the mast I saw to my joy that this
cordage was all new and sound, though woefully tangled. Howbeit I had
soon unravelled some fifty yards of good stout twine, and abundance of
more yet to hand together with the heavier ropes such as shrouds and
back-stays. Taking this line I came to that rocky cleft where I had
killed the goat, and clambering up the bush-grown cliff found it to be
honey-combed with caves large and small and with abundant evidences of
the animals I sought. Wherefore, choosing me a narrow, well-worn track
I set there a trap formed of a running noose, and this did I in divers
other places, which done I returned to my labours on the mast. At the
which occupation my lady, finding me, must needs fall to work beside
me, aiding as well as she might like the true comrade she was.

Thus by late afternoon I had coiled and stowed safely away more good
hempen rope and cordage than I could ever want.