my goats, so strongly fortified by labour and time, that it was much stronger than a wall, and consequently impossible for them to break through.  As for my bower itself, I kept it constantly in repair, and cut the trees in such a manner, as made them grow thick and wild, and form a most delightful shade.  In the centre of this stood my tent, thus erected.  I had driven four piles in the ground, spreading over it a piece of the ship’s sail; beneath which I made a sort of couch with the skins of the creatures I had slain, and other things; and having laid thereon one of the sailor’s blankets, which I had saved from the wreck of the ship, and covering myself with a great watch-coat, I took up this place for my country retreat.

Very frequently from this settlement did I use to visit my boat, and keep her in very good order.  And sometimes I would venture in her a cast or two from shore, but no further, lest either a strong current, a sudden stormy wind, or some unlucky accident should hurry me from the island as before.  But now I entreat your attention, whilst I proceed to inform you of a new, but most surprising scent of life which there befel me.

You may easily suppose, that, after having been here so long, nothing could be more amazing than to see a human creature.  One day it happened, that going to my boat I saw the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, very evident on the sand, as the toes, heel, and every part of it.  Had I seen an apparition in the most frightful shape, I could not have been more confounded.  My willing ears gave the strictest attention.  I cast my eyes around, but could satisfy neither the one nor the other, I proceeded alternately in every part of the shore, but with equal effect; neither could I see any other mark, though the sand about it was as susceptible to take impression, as that which was so plainly stamped.  Thus struck with confusion and horror, I returned to my habitation, frightened at every bush and tree, taking every thing for men; and possessed with the wildest ideas.  That night my eyes never closed.  I formed nothing but the most dismal imaginations, concluding it must be the mark of the devil’s foot which I had seen.  For otherwise how could any mortal come to this island? where was the ship that transported them? & what signs of any other footsteps?  Though these seemed very strong reasons for such a supposition, yet (thought I) why should the devil make the print of his foot to no purpose, as I can see, when he might have taken other ways to have terrified me? why should he leave his mark on the other side of the island, and that too on the sand, where the surging waves of the ocean might soon have erased the impression.  Surely this action is not consistent with the subtility of Satan, said I to myself; but rather must be some dangerous creature, some wild savage of the main land over against me, that venturing too far in the ocean, has been driven here, either by the violent currents or contrary winds; and not caring to stay on this desolate island, has gone back to sea again.