we had made, by digging away the sand from
beneath her, and a trench to the water's edge. We had been two months
on the island when all was ready for launching.

Anxious as I was to return to England, I cannot say that I was unhappy
when on this island: there was always a fine sea-breeze, which cooled
the air, and enabled us to work without exhaustion. With the exception
of the unfortunate quarrel I have referred to, everything went on
quietly. After work was over, I resorted as usual to my Bible, and read
for hours; and this calmed and allayed any impatient feelings which
might at times arise. I felt that I had great cause to be grateful to
the Almighty for preserving me as he had done, and that it would be
folly and wickedness on my part to repine because I could not obtain all
that I wished. I waited, therefore, for His own good time, without
murmuring, and in full confidence that all was for the best.

At last we contrived to get our boat into the water, and she floated
much lighter than we thought she would have done, considering the weight
of wood that was in her. As soon as she was anchored about ten feet
from the beach, we made a gangway to her with planks, and commenced
getting all our salt provisions, water, and stores, which we had
selected as most necessary, on board of her. The stowage of these
occupied us two days; we then got the yard up, and bent the sail, and,
having fitted oars, we determined that the next day we would embark. As
she still swam light, we got on board of her as many turtle as we could
conveniently carry, and then, for the last time, went on shore to sleep.

As there was no room for our chests, it was agreed that we each should
have a bundle on board, selecting those things which we most required
and most valued. This proposal, which was made by the captain, put me
in mind of the diamond, which had scarcely once entered my thoughts
since I had been on the island. When I took it out of my chest, I
thought that I might as well make it more convenient to carry, as there
was no saying what might be the result of our new expedition; so, when
the other men were all busy about their own effects, or asleep, I first
took the precaution to roll it up in a covering of pitch, so that, if
taken from me or lost, it might not be known to be a diamond, and then I
sewed it up in a piece of leather, which I cut from an old glove,
putting a strong leather lanyard to it, so that I might wear it r