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kirk with his goats and cats, often danced together upon the green before the huts

In this way, our adventurer passed on from month to month, and year to year. As his clothes wore out, he made others of goat's-skins. He used an iron nail instead of a needle, and little strips of goat's-skin instead of thread. As he had no shoes, his feet became so hard, that he could walk over the rocks without the slightest inconvenience.

Thus time went on ; but at length a serious accident happened that nearly terminated Selkirk's life. He was one day chasing a wild goat among some high rocks; the animal ran very swiftly, and Selkirk pursued it with all his speed. At length the goat came to the very edge of a high precipice. The spot was partly covered by bushes, and Selkirk did not perceive the precipice. The goat, frightened at the near approach of its pursuer, leapt over the rock, and Selkirk instantly followed.

They both fell to the bottom of the valley,

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the goat was killed, and Selkirk remained a whole day in a state of insensibility. At length his reason returned, and with great difficulty and much pain, he crawled home to his hut. Here he remained for near ten days, before he was able to go out. After awhile, he recovered entirely, and then things went on as before.

Thus lived our sailor, for four years; but now the time of his release was at hand. In the year 1709, an English ship, commanded by Captain Rogers, came near to the island. The people discovered a fire on shore. Some of them got into a boat, and went to the land. What was their surprise, to see a white man dressed in goats-skins approach them, as they were landing! This man was Selkirk. At first he could not tell his story; for he had been so long without talking, that he had forgotten the use of his tongue. But by degrees he was able to relate his history. Captain Rogers took him on board his vessel, and Selkirk returned with him to England.

Such is the story of Alexander Selkirk.

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After his arrival in England, a man, by the name of De Foe, heard of his adventures, and, of these, he framed the entertaining story of Robinson Crusoe, which all my little friends, I suppose, have read.

CHAPTER VI.

Parley stops at Valparaiso. Goes to the Sandwich islands. Description of the Sandwich isles. The inhabitants. About Captain Cook.

As I have now done with the story of Selkirk, I must proceed with my own. As we were in need of water and provisions, our Captain determined to stop at Valparaiso, in Chili. At the time of which I am speaking, this was quite a small seaport. But it has since increased very much, and is now one of the most flourishing commercial towns on the western coast of America.

What gave rise to the story of Robinson Crusoe? Who was the author of Robinson Crusoe ? Where is Valparaiso? What can you say of Valparaiso ?

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