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word order - Usage of "but" in a sentence.



I'm reading Robinson Crusoe and came across many of these constructions with "but" in it. I can't help but thought they were a little unusual. I don't consider myself fluent in English, that's why I ask.


Here is an example:



This I saw no remedy for but by making an enclosure about it with a hedge; which I did with a great deal of toil, and more, because it required speed.



Second one:



However, as my arable land was but small, suited to my crop, I got it totally well fenced in about three weeks' time;



By typing the second out I figured it is actually the normal textbook case of "but", just an, in my opinion, screwed ordering in the sentence. Is this what it means?



However, as my arable land was suited to my crop but small, I got it totally well fenced in about three weeks time;



Why did the author do this? Can you comment on the first sentence too? It's not a textbook-but-usage as I see it.




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