But what does all human pains and industry avail, if the blessing of God does not crown our labours?  Or who can stand before the Almighty, when he stretcheth forth his arm?  For one time as I was at the entrance of my cave, there happened such a dreadful earthquake, that not only the roof of the cave came rumbling about my ears, but the posts seemed to crack terribly at the same time.  This put me in great amazement; and running to the ladder, and getting over the wall, I then plainly knew it was an earthquake, the place I stood on sustaining three terrible shocks in less than three minutes.  But judge of my terror when I saw the top of a great rock roll into the sea; I then expected the island would be swallowed up every moment:  And what made the scene still more dreadful, was to see the sea thrown into the most violent agitations and disorders by this tremendous accident.

For my part I stood like a criminal at the place of execution ready to expire.  At the moving of the earth, I was, as it were, sea-sick; and very much afraid lest the rock, under which was my fence and habitation, should overwhelm it and myself in a lasting tomb.

When the third dreadful shock had spent itself, my spirits began to revive; yet still I would not venture to ascend the ladder, but continued fitting, not knowing what I should do.  So little grace had I then, as only to say Lord have mercy upon me! and no sooner was the earthquake over, but that pathetic prayer left me.

It was not long after, when a horrible tempest arose, at the same time attended with a huricane of wind.  The sea seemed mountains high, and the waves rolled so impetously, that nothing could be perceived but froth and foam.  Three hours did this storm continue, and in so violent a manner, as to tear the very trees up by the roots, which was succeeded by abundance of rain.  When the tempest was over I went to my tent:  but the rain coming on in a furious manner, I was obliged to take shelter in the cave, where I was forced to cut a channel through my fortification to let the water out.  It continued raining all that night, and some time the next day.  These accidents made me resolve, as soon as the weather cleared up, to build me a little hut in some open place, walled round to defend me from wild creatures and savages; not doubting but at the next earthquake, the mountain would fall upon my habitation and me, and swallow up all in its bowels.

April 16—­20.  These days I spent in contriving how and in what manner I should fix my place of abode.  All this while I was under the most dreadful apprehensions.  When I looked round my habitation, every thing I found in its proper place.  I had several resolutions whether I should move or not; but at length resolved to stay where I was, till I found out a convenient place where I might pitch my tent.

April 22.  When I began to put my resolutions in practice, I was stopt for want of tools and instruments to work with.  Most of my axes and hatchets were useless, occasioned by cutting the hard timber that grew on the island.  It took me up a full week to make my grind-stone of use to me, and at last I found out a way to turn it about with my foot, by help of a wheel and a string.