Instead of the sun rising to dry me , it came on to rain , with a thick mist ; so that my case was lamentable . I stood in the rain , and shivered , and wondered what to do , till it occurred to me that perhaps the creek was fordable . Back I went to the narrowest point and waded in . But not three yards from shore , I plumped in head over ears ; and if ever I was heard of more , it was rather by God 's grace than my own prudence . I was no wetter -LRB- for that could hardly be -RRB- , but I was all the colder for this mishap ; and having lost another hope was the more unhappy . And now , all at once , the yard came in my head . What had carried me through the roost would surely serve me to cross this little quiet creek in safety . With that I set off , undaunted , across the top of the isle , to fetch and carry it back . It was a weary tramp in all ways , and if hope had not buoyed me up , I must have cast myself down and given up . Whether with the sea salt , or because I was growing fevered , I was distressed with thirst , and had to stop , as I went , and drink the peaty water out of the hags . I came to the bay at last , more dead than alive ; and at the first glance , I thought the yard was something farther out than when I left it . In I went , for the third time , into the sea . The sand was smooth and firm , and shelved gradually down , so that I could wade out till the water was almost to my neck and the little waves splashed into my face . But at that depth my feet began to leave me , and I durst venture in no farther . As for the yard , I saw it bobbing very quietly some twenty feet beyond . I had borne up well until this last disappointment ; but at that I came ashore , and flung myself down upon the sands and wept . The time I spent upon the island is still so horrible a thought to me , that I must pass it lightly over . In all the books I have read of people cast away , they had either their pockets full of tools , or a chest of things would be thrown upon the beach along with them , as if on purpose . My case was very different . I had nothing in my pockets but money and Alan 's silver button ; and being inland bred , I was as much short of knowledge as of means .
I knew indeed that shell-fish were counted good to eat ; and among the rocks of the isle I found a great plenty of limpets , which at XXXXX I could scarcely strike from their places , not knowing quickness to be needful .
Alan books feet first hags left mishap money something third