Межзвёздный скиталец

           Myonediversionwasanoarandajackknife.UponthisoarIspentmuchtime,carvingminutelettersandcuttinganotchforeachweekthatpassed.Thereweremanynotches.Isharpenedtheknifeonaflatpieceofrock,andnobarberwasevermorecarefulofhisfavouriterazorthanwasIofthatknife.NordideveramiserprizehistreasureasdidIprizetheknife.Itwasaspreciousasmylife.Intruth,itwasmylife.

           Bymanyrepetitions,Imanagedtobringbackoutofthejacketthelegendthatwascarvedontheoar.AtfirstIcouldbringbutlittle.Later,itgreweasier,amatterofpiecingportionstogether.AndatlastIhadthethingcomplete.Hereitis:

           ThisistoacquaintthepersonintowhosehandsthisOarmayfall,thatDanielFoss,anativeofElkton,inMaryland,oneoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,andwhosailedfromtheportofPhiladelphia,in1809,onboardthebrigNegociator,boundtotheFriendlyIslands,wascastuponthisdesolateislandtheFebruaryfollowing,whereheerectedahutandlivedanumberofyears,subsistingonseals—hebeingthelastwhosurvivedofthecrewofsaidbrig,whichranfoulofanislandofice,andfounderedonthe25thNov.1809.

           Thereitwas,quiteclear.BythismeansIlearnedalotaboutmyself.Onevexedpoint,however,Ineverdidsucceedinclearingup.