--that is to say, it might be about
twelve feet over, but in no manner of shape, neither round nor square, no
hands having ever been employed in making it but those of mere Nature. I
observed also that there was a place at the farther side of it that went
in further, but was so low that it required me to creep upon my hands and
knees to go into it, and whither it went I knew not; so, having no
candle, I gave it over for that time, but resolved to go again the next
day provided with candles and a tinder-box, which I had made of the lock
of one of the muskets, with some wildfire in the pan.

Accordingly, the next day I came provided with six large candles of my
own making (for I made very good candles now of goat's tallow, but was
hard set for candle-wick, using sometimes rags or rope-yarn, and
sometimes the dried rind of a weed like nettles); and going into this low
place I was obliged to creep upon all-fours as I have said, almost ten
yards--which, by the way, I thought was a venture bold enough,
considering that I knew not how far it might go, nor what was beyond it.
When I had got through the strait, I found the roof rose higher up, I
believe near twenty feet; but never was such a glorious sight seen in the
island, I daresay, as it was to look round the sides and roof of this
vault or cave--the wall reflected a hundred thousand lights to me from my
two candles. What it was in the rock--whether diamonds or any other
precious stones, or gold which I rather supposed it to be--I knew not.
The place I was in was a most delightful cavity, or grotto, though
perfectly dark; the floor was dry and level, and had a sort of a small
loose gravel upon it, so that there was no nauseous or venomous creature
to be seen, neither was there any damp or wet on the sides or roof. The
only difficulty in it was the entrance--which, however, as it was a place
of security, and such a retreat as I wanted; I thought was a convenience;
so that I was really rejoiced at the discovery, and resolved, without any
delay, to bring some of those things which I was most anxious about to
this place: particularly, I resolved to bring hither my magazine of
powder, and all my spare arms--viz. two fowling-pieces--for I had three
in all--and three muskets--for of them I had eight in all; so I kept in
my castle only five, which stood ready mounted like pieces of cannon on
my outmost fence, and were ready also to take out upon any expedition.
Upon this occasion