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The next Morning, I began to prepare for my intended Journey, just as the Sun was above the Horizon. I hasten'd Breakfast as much as I cou'd, and after I shifted my self I begg'd the Assistance of two of the Sailors to set me on Shore, which I obtain'd, on Condition that I wou'd divide whatever I got, with them. I consented and was set on Shore.
I was no sooner landed, than I began seriously to reflect on my folly, (then not hearing the Noise of the Seamen, or Curses of my Master) I remember'd my Mothers warnings, but above all her swooning: My Master's fair Promises before I was his Servant, and his hard Usage after, which made me often wish my self at home, and reckon my Stripes as my Deserts. I went on thus melancholy, till I perceiv'd my self to ascend the Hill, and then I bent my self wholly upon confirming what I had heard; but to my great surprize, I found scarce one Word I had heard to be true, except that the Mountain is very high. It is certain that it is very large too, and that many may have ascended it; but then they may have ascended by different Ways, and some may have met with more inequalities in their ascent than others, which may have occasion'd a Difference in their Accounts of its Height. I was wholly unprovided with Instruments to take its Altitude, having brought nothing along with me, but a Bottle of Brandy, a Piece of Cheese, and a few Biscuits. I only observ'd, that I was 56 times weary in my ascent; by which given Number, if my Health and habit of Body were now the same, I could easily find out the Number sought for, viz. the Height of it. For by going up and down any Mountain of a moderate Height, till I was 56 times weary, and by finding out a mean Proportional between ascending and descending, and by making allowances for Trips and Stumbles, and the Storm, I humbly conceive, an ordinary Mathematician may measure the Height of the Peak of Teneriffe.
With
