'By all this,' said he, 'you will not be able, in this country, to
purchase yourself one morsel of bread; nothing is of less use here
than those sciences: but if you will be advised by me,' said he,
'dress yourself in a labourer's frock; and since you appear to be
strong and of a good constitution, you shall go into the next
forest and cut fire-wood, which you may bring to the market to be
sold; and I can assure you it will turn to such good account that
you may live by it, without dependence upon any man: and by this
means you will be in a condition to wait for the favourable moment
when Heaven shall think fit to dispel those clouds of misfortune
that thwart your happiness, and oblige you to conceal your birth. I
will take care to supply you with a rope and a hatchet.'
The fear of being known, and the necessity I was under of getting a
livelihood, made me agree to this proposal, notwithstanding all the
hardships that attended it. The day following the tailor bought me
a rope, a hatchet, and a short coat, and recommended me to some
poor people who gained their bread after the same manner, that they
might take me into their company. They conducted me to the wood,
and the first day I brought in as much upon my head as earned me
half a piece of gold, which is the money of that country; for
though the wood is not far distant from the town, yet it was very
scarce there, for few or none would be at the trouble to go and cut
it.
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