Робинзон Крузо
Agricultural Experience
AttheendofthismarchIcametoanopening,wherethecountryseemedtodescendtothewest; andalittlespringoffreshwater,whichissuedoutofthesideofthehillbyme,rantheotherway,thatis,dueeast; andthecountryappearedsofresh,sogreen,soflourishing,everythingbeinginaconstantverdureorflourishofspring,thatitlookedlikeaplantedgarden.
Idescendedalittleonthesideofthatdeliciousvale,surveyingitwithasecretkindofpleasure,thoughmixedwithmyotherafflictingthoughts,tothinkthatthiswasallmyown; andIwaskingandlordofallthiscountryindefeasibly,andhadarightofpossession; and,ifIcouldconveyit,ImighthaveitininheritanceascompletelyasanylordofamanorinEngland. Isawhereabundanceofcocoatrees,orange,andlemon,andcitrontrees;butallwild,andveryfewbearinganyfruit,atleastnotthen. However,thegreenlimesthatIgatheredwerenotonlypleasanttoeat,butverywholesome; andImixedtheirjuiceafterwardswithwater,whichmadeitverywholesome,andverycoolandrefreshing.
IfoundnowIhadbusinessenoughtogatherandcarryhome; andIresolvedtolayupastore,aswellofgrapesaslimesandlemonstofurnishmyselfforthewetseason,whichIknewwasapproaching.
Inordertothis,Igatheredagreatheapofgrapesinoneplace,andalesserheapinanotherplace; andagreatparceloflimesandlemonsinanotherplace; andtakingafewofeachwithme,Itravelledhomeward;andresolvedtocomeagain,andbringabagorsack,orwhatIcouldmake,tocarrytheresthome.
Accordingly,havingspentthreedaysinthisjourney,Icamehome(soImustnowcallmytentandmycave); butbeforeIgotthither,thegrapeswerespoiled;