When
we first came the land near Tent House was a bare waste; now it bore
fine crops, and was kept as neat as a Swiss farm. At the foot of the
hill by the side of Rock Cave was a large plot of ground, which we laid
out in beds, and here we grew herbs and shrubs, and such plants as we
used for food. Near this we dug a pond, and by means of a sluice which
led from the stream, we kept our plants fresh in times of drought. Nor
was this the sole use we made of the pond; for in it we kept small fish
and crabs, and took them out with a rod and line when we had need of
food, and time to spare for that kind of sport. In the ground round the
mouth of the Cave we drove a row of strong canes, bound at the top to a
piece of wood, so as to form a fence, up which grew a vine, and, at
each side, plants that threw a good show of gay bloom crept up to meet
it. Shells of great size and strange shapes were got from the shore,
and these we built up here and there with burnt clay, so as to form
clumps of rock work, on which grew ferns and rare plants. All this gave
a charm to our home, and made the grounds round it a source of joy
when, we laid by our work for the day. In fact, we thought there was
now scarce a thing to wish for that we had not got.
Our cares were few, and our life was as full of joy and peace as we
could well wish; yet I oft cast a look on the sea, in the hope that
some day I should spy a sail, and once more greet a friend from the
wide world from which we had been so long shut out.
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