le there were two
others close at hand, each about a dozen yards in circumference.
Although they were apparently filled with rain water, and not from a
spring, there was a sufficient quantity to supply all our wants. Even
could it be possible to exhaust them, they would be refilled by fresh
showers.

"Having quenched our thirst we stood up to look around us, when we
caught sight of several animals at no great distance off stopping to
gaze at us. They were goats, and some had kids by their sides. Here
was food enough to last us for years to come, though we might have a
difficulty in catching them ourselves. We felt that Snarley would
render us valuable aid in the matter, and that we need have no fear of
starving. Refreshed, we set off to take a further survey of the island.

"As we passed along the cliffs overlooking the harbour, we caught sight
in a little bay of three boats, hauled up on the beach, with a couple of
huts, but no human being was to be seen. We shouted; our voices,
however, might possibly not reach the spot. It was evident, at all
events, that the island had at some time or other been inhabited, but at
that distance we could not judge of the condition of the boats or the
huts, so that it might have been years before. As we wished to be
housed before night, we now returned to the landing-place, discovering
on our way, among the grass, some leaves which tasted like spinach. I
felt sure that they would serve as vegetable diet, which it was
important to obtain. The mast, yards, and sails were still attached to
the boat. Though we had not strength enough to drag her up entire, we
got hold of them and put up a small tent, which served to shelter us for
the night. We were thankful even for this protection, for after sunset
the atmosphere became very chilly. We were in pretty good spirits, and
thankful to Heaven that we had found the means of sustaining life. I
thought it probable, too, that before long a vessel would appear and
take us off. Snarley, who had dried himself by running about, crawled
into our tent and assisted to keep us warm, while for the first part of
the night we kept a large fire blazing at our feet. We did not keep
watch, for our island did not certainly contain any savage inhabitants
or wild beasts, so that we slept soundly with a sense of perfect
security.

"Next morning, after breakfasting on pork and sorrel leaves, which we
ate raw, for want of means of boiling them, we