As we naturally are fond of Life, I return'd Thanks to Providence for my
Escape, and thought myself extreamly happy, tho' thrown on an unknown
Coast, and destitute of every thing necessary to sustain me: But I
trusted in that Goodness which had preserved, and which I hoped would
provide for me. To despond, I thought, would be mistrusting the Bounty
of our Creator, and might be the ready way to plunge me into the
Miseries Men naturally apprehend in my Circumstances. I therefore
heartily recommended me to the Divine Protection, and enter'd the Woods
which lay along the Coast.

The Storm, which seem'd rais'd for the Destruction of those Enemies
of Mankind, and Shame of human Nature, ceas'd in few Hours after the
Vessel perish'd. I found in the Woods all sorts of _Indian_ Fruits, as,
Guavers, Cushoes, Sowresops, Oranges, _&c._ with which I appeased my
Hunger. I was desirous, yet fearful of discovering, whether I was in a
desolate or inhabited Country, and whether I was on the Continent, or
some Island.

I wandered in the Woods till Sun-set, and then apprehending Danger from
wild Beasts, I climb'd a tall Tree, where I sat, tho' I could not sleep,
till Morning. By the time it had been dark about an Hour, I was cruelly
terrified by hearing human Voices in the Air; for tho' I did not
understand, I plainly heard these Words: _Sup gravimiaco caputasco
deumorian_; with others which I could not retain.

Let any Man suppose himself in my Circumstances, and he will much easier
form an Idea, than I describe the Agony I was in on this surprizing
Accident. The Sun was two Hours high before I durst descend; but seeing
nothing to apprehend, I came down, prosecuted my Journey, as I had
begun, Eastward. In three Hours, or thereabout, I came to the Extremity
of the Wood, which was bounded by a large Meadow, enamell'd with the
most beautiful-coloured Flowers, and hedg'd on the three other Sides
with Limes, and with large Orange-Trees, placed at equal Distances
in the Fence. This, with the Prospect I had of Corn Fields, made me
conclude the Country inhabited by a civiliz'd People.

I cross'd the Meadow, highly delighted with the agreeable Prospect which
lay before me. To avoid trampling on, and doing Damage to the Corn,
I turn'd a little to the Northward, in hopes of falling in with some
Village, or meeting with some or other of the Inhabitants. I found here
very rich Pastures, and large Flocks of Sheep, intermix'd with Deer; the
Sheep