Робинзон Крузо
Finds Print of Man’s Foot on the Sand
Again,Iconsideredalso,thatIcouldbynomeanstell,forcertain,whereIhadtrod,andwhereIhadnot; andthatif,atlast,thiswasonlytheprintofmyownfoot,Ihadplayedthepartofthesefoolswhostrivetomakestoriesofspectreandapparitions,andthenarefrightedatthemmorethananybody.
NowIbegantotakecourage,andtopeepabroadagain,forIhadnotstirredoutofmycastleforthreedaysandnights,sothatIbegantostarveforprovision; forIhadlittleornothingwithindoorsbutsomebarley-cakesandwater. ThenIknewthatmygoatswantedtobemilkedtoo,whichusuallywasmyeveningdiversion; andthepoorcreatureswereingreatpainandinconvenienceforwantofit;and,indeed,italmostspoiledsomeofthem,andalmostdrieduptheirmilk.
Hearteningmyself,therefore,withthebeliefthatthiswasnothingbuttheprintofoneofmyownfeet,andsoImightbetrulysaidtostartatmyownshadow,Ibegantogoabroadagain,andwenttomycountry-housetomilkmyflock. ButtoseewithwhatfearIwentforward,howoftenIlookedbehindme,howIwasready,everynowandthen,tolaydownmybasket,andrunformylife,itwouldhavemadeanyonehavethoughtIwashauntedwithanevilconscience,orthatIhadbeenlatelymostterriblyfrighted; andso,indeed,Ihad.
However,asIwentdownthustwoorthreedays,andhavingseennothing,Ibegantobealittlebolder,andtothinktherewasreallynothinginitbutmyownimagination. ButIcouldnotpersuademyselffullyofthistillIshouldgodowntotheshoreagain,andseethisprintofafoot,andmeasureitbymyown,andseeiftherewasanysimilitudeorfitness,thatImightbeassureditwasmyownfoot.
