I LIGHT THE FRAGRANT FIRE. 129 



upon my cliair-back or on tlie table, treating me to 

 frequent bursts of song ; and their attitude of trustful 

 friendliness was most touching. They viewed with 

 mistrust the frequent intrusion of the mocking birds, 

 and the parrots they positively hated, scolding them 

 with ardor, but always keeping out of their way. 



In this time of rain, as Crusoe says, "I found 

 much Employment, and very suitable also to the 

 Time, for I found occasion for many Things which 

 I had no way to furnish myself with but by hard 

 Labor and constant Application." 



Having brought with me a goodly supply of cook- 

 ing utensils and tools, I was not put to the shifts he 

 was, but I felt the need of several things, when I came 

 to gather in the harvest of corn — such, especially, as a 

 mill for grinding the grain. My flour and biscuit I 

 had used sparingly, eking them out with the many 

 things the forest afforded and the wild grains and 

 fruits ; but by the end of May I could see the bottoms 

 of the barrels. 



My friends had not returned at the end of a month, 

 as they had agreed to, probably having thought the 

 better of it. And indeed I saw no necessity for their 

 so doing, as there was no danger of my starving, my 

 exile being voluntary and my isolation of my own 

 seeking. In truth, I felt so satisfied with my mode 

 of life, and fitted so snugly into my environment, 

 that I should have resented any intrusion. 



1 was, as the great poet has said of Crusoe, mon- 

 arch of all I surveyed — at least, until some one came 

 to dispute my claim. That was my only fear : not 



