having made a small stay and a sail, or a foresail to it, to
assist, if we should turn to the westward; and what is still more, I
fixed a rudder to the stern of her, to steer with; and though I was but
a very indifferent shipwright, yet, as I was sensible of the great
usefulness and absolute necessity of a thing like this, I applied myself
to it with such a confident application, that at last I accomplished my
design; but what with the many dull contrivances I had about it, and the
failure of many things, it cost me as much pains in ordering as in
making the boat. Besides when all this was done, I had my man to teach
what belonged to its navigation; for though he very well understood how
to paddle a canoe along, he was an utter stranger to a sail and a
rudder, and was amazed when he saw me work the boat to and again in the
sea, by them, and how the sail gibbed and filled this way or that way,
as the course we sailed changed. After some time and a little use, I
made all these things very familiar to him, so that he became an expert
sailor, except in relation to the compass, and that I could make him
understand but little of. But, as it happened, there was seldom occasion
for it, there being but little cloudy weather, and scarce any fog in
those parts; the stars were always visible in the night, and the shore
perspicuous by day, except in the rainy season, which confined every one
to his habitation. Thus entered in the seven and twentieth year of my
reign, or captivity, which you please, (the last three of which blessed
with the company of my man Friday, ought not to be reckoned) I kept the
anniversary of my landing here with the same thankfulness to God, for
his tender mercies, as I did before; and certainly, as I had great
cause for a thankful acknowledgement for my deliverance at first, I had
much greater now for such singular and additional testimonies of the
care of Providence over me, in all my distress of both body and mind,
and the great hopes I had of being effectually and speedily delivered;
for I had a strong impression upon my mind, that I should not be another
year in this island. But, however, I still continued on with my
husbandry, digging, planting, and fencing, as usual; gathering and
curing my grapes, and doing all other things that were necessary.

And now the rainy season beginning to come on, obliged me to keep the
longer within doors; but before this I brought my new vessel into the
creek, where I had