CHAPTER VIII.
A New Invasion .-- Selkirk joyfully meets an ancient Enemy .-- Combat on a Red Cedar .-- A Mother and her Little Ones .-- The Flock .-- Fete in the Island; Pacific Combats, Diversions and Swings .-- A Sail .-- The Burning Wood .-- Presentiments of Marimonda.
The next morning the sun has scarcely touched the horizon, Selkirk is still asleep, when he is awakened by a sort of tickling at his feet.
Thinking it some caress or trick of Marimonda, risen earlier than usual, he half opens his eyes, sees nothing, and places himself again in a posture to continue his nap.

The same tickling is renewed, but with more perseverance, and very soon something sharp and keen penetrates to the quick the hard envelope of his heel.

The tickling has become a bite.
This time wide awake, he raises his head.

His cabin is full of rats! Near him, a company of them are tranquilly engaged in breakfasting on his coverings and the rushes of his couch; they are on his table, his seats, along his pillow and his walls; they are playing before his door, running hither and thither through the crevices of his roof, multiplying themselves on his rack and shelf; all biting, gnawing, nibbling--some his seal-skin hat, his tobacco-pouch, the bark ornaments of his furniture; others the handles of his tools, his pipes, his Bible, and even his powder-horn.
Selkirk utters a cry, springs from his couch, and immediately crushes two under his heels.

The rest take flight.
As he is pursuing these new invaders with the shovel and musket, he perceives at a few paces' distance Marimonda, sorrowful and drooping, perched on the strong branch of a sapota-tree.