ff and a weapon of defence. I also made a spade, such as
Macco had manufactured; and before long I came to a hollow under some
trees where the ground appeared soft. I eagerly set to work to dig, and
after getting down to the depth of three or four feet, my satisfaction
was great to see water springing up. I had expected to be compelled to
dig much deeper. A piece of bamboo served me as a cup, and allowing the
water to settle, I was enabled to obtain a delicious draught. Thus one
of my chief causes of apprehension was dissipated.

Returning along the beach, I walked along looking up for some cocoa-nut
trees. The shore, however, was lined with rocks, and it did not occur
to me that at such a spot they were not likely to be found. I then
remembered that it was only on low beaches, where the nuts had been
washed ashore, that I had ever seen the trees growing. I therefore
climbed to the top of the highest rock in the neighbourhood, and looked
along the shore, in the hope of discovering some open beach. I saw one
at some distance, and eagerly made towards it. I was not disappointed,
for no sooner had I reached it than I saw in the centre a grove of
cocoa-nut palms. But how should I be able to climb so tall a tree, weak
and unnerved as I was! I was approaching the nearest tree, eagerly
casting up my eyes towards the tempting fruit, which hung down in
clusters, when I heard a loud hammering sound; and there I saw on the
ground a huge crab, such as I had before met with in Amboyna, busily
employed in breaking the shell. If I could kill him, I could secure
both meat and vegetable at the same time. I had got close to him before
he heard me approach, when he began to sidle off at a great rate.
Seizing the cocoa-nut which he had just broken, I ran after him.
Brought to bay, he lifted up his huge claw; but I darted my spear
through the joint and fixed him in the sand. As I did so I dashed the
cocoa-nut with all my might on his back. It bounded off; but I seized
it again, and once more struck him a blow which effectually prevented
him from making further resistance.

I had now an ample supply of food for a hearty meal. I was at no loss
to light a fire; and collecting a supply of sticks and leaves, I struck
a light with the two pieces of bamboo as Macco had done, and soon had
the crab roasting before the fire; while I satisfied the cravings of
hunger with a draught from the cocoa-nut and a portion of the fruit. I
now