The case was thus: he had been with us now about a month, during which time I had let him see in what manner I had provided, with the assistance of Providence, for my support; and he saw evidently what stock of corn and rice I had laid up; which, though it was more than sufficient for myself, yet it was not sufficient, without good husbandry, for my family, now it was increased to four; but much less would it be sufficient if his countrymen, who were, as he said, sixteen, still alive, should come over; and least of all would it be sufficient to victual our vessel, if we should build one, for a voyage to any of the Christian colonies of America; so he told me he thought it would be more advisable to let him and the other two dig and cultivate some more land, as much as I could spare seed to sow, and that we should wait another harvest, that we might have a supply of corn for his countrymen, when they should come; for want might be a temptation to them to disagree, or not to think themselves delivered, otherwise than out of one difficulty into another.
Közel egy hónapja volt már velünk, és ezalatt megismerte éléskamrámat, gabonakészletemet, s úgy tartotta, hogy ez négy embernek bőségesen elég lehet ugyan, de tizenkilenc csakhamar elfogyasztja. Még kevésbé lenne elegendő élelmiszer-tartalék gyanánt, ha útra kelnénk a földrész valamely európai gyarmata felé.