Pagina 183 van 483

"Food, however, became scarce, and I often spent the whole day

searching in vain for a few acorns to assuage the pangs of

hunger. When I found this, I resolved to quit the place that I

had hitherto inhabited, to seek for one where the few wants I

experienced would be more easily satisfied. In this emigration I

exceedingly lamented the loss of the fire which I had obtained

through accident and knew not how to reproduce it. I gave several

hours to the serious consideration of this difficulty, but I was

obliged to relinquish all attempt to supply it, and wrapping

myself up in my cloak, I struck across the wood towards the

setting sun. I passed three days in these rambles and at length

discovered the open country. A great fall of snow had taken place

the night before, and the fields were of one uniform white; the

appearance was disconsolate, and I found my feet chilled by the

cold damp substance that covered the ground.