Crusoe's island . wanted to enjoy the romance of that placeagain. No better alternative remained for us than tomake a bargain with Pearce, the American, for quartersin his straw cabin. This we were the more content todo upon seeing him emerge from the bushes with a deadkid hanging over his shoulders, which we naturally sup-posed he intended for supper. At first he spoke rather gruffly for a fellow-country-man; but this we attributed to his wild manner of life,separated from all society; nor were we at all disposedto quarrel with him on account of his uncouth address,when we came to consider th
Crusoe's island . wanted to enjoy the romance of that placeagain. No better alternative remained for us than tomake a bargain with Pearce, the American, for quartersin his straw cabin. This we were the more content todo upon seeing him emerge from the bushes with a deadkid hanging over his shoulders, which we naturally sup-posed he intended for supper. At first he spoke rather gruffly for a fellow-country-man; but this we attributed to his wild manner of life,separated from all society; nor were we at all disposedto quarrel with him on account of his uncouth address,when we came to consider that a man might understandbut little of politeness, and^yet be a very good sort offellow, and understand very well how to cook a had no money, which we honestly told him in thebeginning; but we promised him, in lieu thereof, a largesupply of ham and bread from the ship. This did notseem to improve the matter at all; indeed, we began tothink he was loth to credit us, which, however, was not 92 CRUSOES - THE AMERICAN CRUSOE. the case. He said the Californians who had been therehad eaten up nearly all his stores, and had paid him littleor nothing. They had promised him a good deal, butpromises were the principal amount of what he got. Ifthis Avas all, he wouldnt mind it; they were welcome towhat he had; but he didnt like folks to come and takepossession of his honse as a matter of right, and getdrunk in it, and raise Old Scratch with his furniture,and then swear at him next morning for not keepin abetter tavern. He didnt pretend to keep a tavern; itwas his own private house, and he Avanted it to be pri-vate—thats what he came here for. He had societyenough at home, and a darnd sight too much of it. Heliked to choose his own company. He was an independ-ent character himself, and meant to be independent inspite of all the Californians on this side of creation. Allhe wished was that old Nick had a hold of Californiaand all the gold in it—if there was any in it, whi
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