THE RECOVERY OF SELKIRK FROM JUAN FERNANDEZ.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2695, 19 October 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE RECOVERY OF SELKIRK FROM JUAN FERNANDEZ.

It was when Dampier sailed as pilot to Woodes Rogers that Alexander Selkirk was recovered from the island of Juan Fernandez. The account of his recovery is chiefly given from Cooke : — ' As soon as it was dark we saw a Light ashore. Our Boat was then about a League from the Island, and bore away for the Ships as soon as she saw the Lights. We put our Lights aboard for the Boat, tho' some were of Opinion the Lights we saw were our boat's Lights; but as Night came on it appeared too large for that. We fired our Quarterdeck Gun and several Musquets, showing lights in our Mizen and Fore Shrouds that our Boat might find us whilst we were in the Lee of the Island. . . . All this Stir and Apprehension arose, as we afterwards found from one poor naked Man who passed in our Imagination, at present, for a Spanish Garrison, a Body of Frenchmen, or a Crew of pirates.' Next day they sent their yawl ashore, and as this Boat did not return they dispatched the pinnace to seek her. Rogers then continues—

'Immediately ourPitinacereturned from the Shore and brought abundance of Crayfish with a Man clothed in Goatskins, who looked wilder than thefirst Owners of them. He had been on the Island Four Years and Pour Months, being left there by Captain Strandling in the Cinque Ports ; his Name was Alexander Selkirk, a Scotsman who had been Master of the Cinque Ports, a ship that came here last with Captain Danipier, who told me that this was the best inan in her, and I immediately agreed with him to be a Mate on board our Ship: 'Twas he that made the Fire last Night when he saw our Ships, which he judged to be English. , . . The reason of his being left here was a Difference between him and his Captain ; which, together with the Ship's being leaky, made him willing rather to stay here than go along with him at first; and when he was at last willing to go the Captain would not receive him. ... He had with him

his Clothes and Bedding, with a Firelock some Powder, Bullets, and Tobacco a Hatchet, a Knife a Kettle, a Bible, some Practical Pieces, and his Mathematical instruments and Books. He diverted and provided for himself as well as he could ; but for the first eight Months had much ado to bear up against Melancholy and the Terror of being left alone in such a Place. He built two Huts with Pimento trees, covered them with long Grass, and lined with the Skins of Goats, which he killed with his Gun ashe wanted, so long as his Powder lasted, which was but a Pound ; and that being almost spent he got fire by rubbing two Sticks of Pimento Wood together upon his Knee. In the lesser Hut, at some Distance from the other, he dressed his Victuals ; and in the latter he slept, and enjoyed himself in Reading, singing Psalms, and Praying, so that he said he was a better Christian while in this Soltitude than ever he was before, or than he was afraid he should ever be again. At firs-t he never eat anything till Hunger constrained him, partly for grief and partly fur want of Bread and Salt. Nor did he go to Bed till he could watch no longer; the Pimento Wood, which burnt very clear, served him both for Fire and Cindle. and refreshed him with its fragrant Smell. , . . By the

Favor ofProvidencand Vigor of his Youth being now but thirty years old, he came at last to conquer all the Inconveniences of hiaSolitude anil to be very easy. When his Clothes wore out he made himself a Coat and a Cap of Goatskins, which he stitched together with little Thongß of the same that lie cut with hi« Knife. He had no other Needle but a Nail; md when his Knifo was worn to tho B : ick he made others as well as he could of some iron Hoops that were left ashore, which he beat thin, and ground upon Stones. Having some Linen Cloth by him, he sewed him some Shirts with a Nail, and stitched them with the Worsted of his old Stocking.*, which lie pulled out on purpose. He had his laßt Shirt on when wo found him in the Island. At his first, coining on board us he had so much forgot his Linguiige for want of use tlist we could scarce understand him ; for he seened to speak his Words by halves. We offered him a Dram ; but he Could not touch it, having drunk nothing but Water muco his being there, and it was aomeTime beforehe could relish our Victuals.'