by Daniel Defoe
However, though my little periagua was finish’d; yet the size of it was not at all answerable to the design which I had in view, when I made the first; I mean, of venturing over to the Terra Firma, where it was above forty miles broad; accordingly, the smallness of my boat assisted to put an end to that design, and now I thought no more of it: But as I had a boat, my next design was to make a tour round the island; for as I had been on the other side, in one place, crossing, as I have already describ’d it, over the land; so the discoveries I made in that little journey, made me very eager to see other parts of the coast; and now I had a boat, I thought of nothing but sailing round the island.
For this purpose, that I might do every thing with discretion and consideration, I fitted up a little mast to my boat, and made a sail to it out of some of the pieces of the ship’s sail, which lay in store; and of which I had a great stock by me.
Having fitted my mast and sail, and try’d the boat, I found she would sail very well: Then I made little lockers, or boxes, at either end of my boat, to put provisions, necessaries and ammunition, &c. into, to be kept dry, either from rain, or the sprye of the sea; and a little long hollow place I cut in the in-side of the boat, where I could lay my gun, making a flap to hang down over it to keep it dry.
I fix’d my umbrella also in a step at the stern, like a mast, to stand over my head, and keep the heat of the sun off of me like an auning; and thus I every now and then took a little voyage upon the sea, but never went far out, not far from the little creek; but at last being eager to view the circumference of my little kingdom, I resolv’d upon my tour, and accordingly I victuall’d my ship for the voyage, putting in two dozen of my loaves (cakes I should rather call them) of barley bread, an earthen pot full of parch’d rice, a food I eat a great deal of, a little bottle of rum, half a goat, and powder and shot for killing more, and two large watch-coats, of those which, as I mention’d before, I had sav’d out of the seamen’s chests; these I took, one to lye upon, and the other to cover me in the night.
It was the sixth of November, in the sixth year of my reign, or my captivity, which you please, that I set out on this voyage, and I found it much longer than I expected; for though the island itself was not very large, yet when I came to the east side of it, I found a great ledge of rocks lye out above two leagues into the sea, some above water, some under it; and beyond that, a shoal of sand, lying dry half a league more; so that I was oblig’d to go a great way out to sea to double the point.
When first I discover’d them, I was going to give over my enterprise, and come back again, not knowing how far it might oblige me to go out to sea; and above all, doubting how I should get back again; so I came to an anchor; for I had made me a kind of an anchor with a piece of a broken graplin, which I got out of the ship.
Having secur’d my boat, I took my gun, and went on shore, climbing up upon a hill, which seem’d to overlook that point, where I saw the full extent of it, and resolv’d to venture.
In my viewing the sea from that hill where I stood, I perceiv’d a strong, and indeed, a most furious current, which run to the east, and even came close to the point; and I took the more notice of it, because I saw there might be some danger; that when I came into it, I might be carry’d out to sea by the strength of it, and not be able to make the island again; and indeed, had I not gotten first up upon this hill, I believe it would have been so; for there was the same current on the other side the island, only, that it set off at a farther distance; and I saw there was a strong eddy under the shore; so I had nothing to do but to get in out of the first current, and I should presently be in an eddy.
I lay here, however, two days; because the wind blowing pretty fresh at E. S. E. and that being just contrary to the said current, made a great breach of the sea upon the point; so that it was not safe for me to keep too close to the shore for the breach, nor to go too far off because of the stream.
The third day in the morning, the wind having abated over night, the sea was calm, and I ventur’d; but I am a warning piece again, to all rash and ignorant pilots; for no sooner was I come to the point, when even I was not my boat’s length from the shore, but I found myself in a great depth of water, and a current like the sluice of a mill: It carry’d my boat along with it with such violence, that all I could do, could not keep her so much as on the edge of it; but I found it hurry’d me farther and farther out from the eddy, which was on my left hand. There was no wind stirring to help me, and all I could do with my paddlers signify’d nothing, and now I began to give myself over for lost; for as the current was on both sides the island, I knew in a few leagues distance they must joyn again, and then I was irrecoverably gone; nor did I see any possibility of avoiding it; so that I had no prospect before me but of perishing; not by the sea, for that was calm enough, but of starving for hunger. I had indeed found a tortoise on the shore, as big almost as I could lift, and had toss’d it into the boat; and I had a great jar of fresh water, that is to say, one of my earthen pots; but what was all this to being driven into the vast ocean, where, to be sure, there was no shore, no main land, or island, for a thousand leagues at least?
And now I saw how easy it was for the Providence of God to make the most miserable condition mankind could be in worse. Now I look’d back upon my desolate solitary island, as the most pleasant place in the world, and all the happiness my heart could wish for, was to be but there again. I stretch’d out my hands to it with eager wishes. O happy desart, said I, I shall never see thee more! O miserable creature, said I, whither am I going: Then I reproach’d myself with my unthankful temper, and how I had repin’d at my solitary condition; and now what would I give to be on shore there again. Thus we never see the true state of our condition, till it is illustrated to us by its contraries; nor know how to value what we enjoy, but by the want of it. It is scarce possible to imagine the consternation I was now in, being driven from my beloved island (for so it appeared to me now to be) into the wide ocean, almost two leagues, and in the utmost despair of ever recovering it again. However, I work’d hard, till indeed my strength was almost exhausted, and kept my boat as much to the northward, that is, towards the side of the current which the eddy lay on, as possibly I could; when about noon, as the sun pass’d the meridian, I thought I felt a little breeze of wind in my face, springing up from the S. S. E. This chear’d my heart a little, and especially when in about half an hour more, it blew a pretty small gentle gale. By this time I was gotten at a frightful distance from the island, and had the least cloud or hazy weather interven’d, I had been undone another way too; for I had no compass on board, and should never have known how to have steered towards the island, if I had but once lost sight of it; but the weather continuing clear, I apply’d myself to get up my mast again, spread my sail, standing away to the north as much as possible, to get out of the current.
Just as I had set my mast and sail, and the boat began to stretch away, I saw even by the clearness of the water, some alteration of the current was near; for where the current was so strong, the water was foul; but perceiving the water clear, I found the current abate, and presently I found to the east, at about half a mile, a breach of the sea upon some rocks; these rocks I found caus’d the current to part again, and as the main stress of it ran away more southerly, leaving the rocks to the north-east; so the other return’d by the repulse of the rocks, and made a strong eddy, which ran back again to the north-west, with a very sharp stream.
They who know what it is to have a reprieve brought to them upon the ladder, or to be rescued from thieves just going to murther them, or who have been in such like extremities, may guess what my present surprise of joy was, and how gladly I put my boat into the stream of this eddy, and the wind also freshning, how gladly I spread my sail to it, running cheerfully before the wind, and with a strong tide or eddy under foot.
This eddy carry’d me about a league in my way back again directly towards the island, but about two leagues more to the northward than the current which carr
ied me away at first; so that when I came near the island, I found myself open to the northern shore of it, that is to say, the other end of the island opposite to that which I went out from.
When I had made something more than a league of way by the help of this current or eddy, I found it was spent and serv’d me no farther. However, I found that being between the two great currents, (viz.) that on the south side, which had hurried me away, and that on the north, which lay about a league on the other side. I say, between these two, in the wake of the island, I found the water at least still and running no way, and having still a breeze of wind fair for me, I kept on steering directly for the island, tho’ not making such fresh way as I did before.
About four a-clock in the evening, being then within about a league of the island, I found the point of the rocks which occasioned this disaster, stretching out, as is described before, to the southward, and casting off the current more southwardly, had of course made another eddy to the North, and this I found very strong, but not directly setting the way my course lay, which was due west, but almost full north. However having a fresh gale, I stretch’d a-cross this eddy slanting north-west, and in about an hour came within about a mile of the shore, where it being smooth water, I soon got to land.
When I was on shore I fell on my knees and gave God thanks for my deliverance, resolving to lay aside all thoughts of my deliverance by my boat, and refreshing myself with such things as I had, I brought my boat close to the shore in a little cove that I had spy’d under some trees, and lay’d me down to sleep, being quite spent with the labour and fatigue of the voyage.
I was now at a great loss which way to get home with my boat, I had run so much hazard, and knew too much the case to think of attempting it by the way I went out, and what might be at the other side (I mean the west side) I knew not, nor had I any mind to run any more ventures; so I only resolved in the morning to make my way westward along the shore and to see if there was no creek where I might lay up my frigate in safety, so as to have her again if I wanted her; in about three miles, or thereabout, coasting the shore, I came to a very good inlet or bay about a mile over, which narrowed till it came to a very little rivulet or brook, where I found a very convenient harbour for my boat and where she lay as if she had been in a little dock made on purpose for her. Here I put in, and having stow’d my boat very safe, I went on shore to look about me and see where I was.
I soon found I had but a little past by the place where I had been before, when I travell’d on foot to that shore; so taking nothing out of my boat, but my gun and my umbrella, for it was exceeding hot, I began my march: The way was comfortable enough after such a voyage as I had been upon, and I reach’d my old bower in the evening, where I found every thing standing as I left it; for I always kept it in good order, being, as I said before, my country house.
I got over the fence, and laid me down in the shade to rest my limbs; for I was very weary, and fell asleep: But judge you, if you can, that read my story, what a surprise I must be in, when I was wak’d out of my sleep by a voice calling me by my name several times, Robin, Robin, Robin Crusoe, poor Robin Crusoe, where are you Robin Crusoe? Where are you? Where have you been?
I was so dead asleep at first, being fatigu’d with rowing, or paddling, as it is call’d, the first part of the day, and with walking the latter part, that I did not wake thoroughly, but dozing between sleeping and waking, thought I dream’d that some body spoke to me: But as the voice continu’d to repeat, Robin Crusoe, Robin Crusoe, at last I began to wake more perfectly, and was at first dreadfully frighted, and started up in the utmost consternation: But no sooner were my eyes open, but I saw my Poll sitting on the top of the hedge; and immediately knew that it was he that spoke to me; for just in such bemoaning language I had used to talk to him, and teach him; and he had learn’d it so perfectly, that he would sit upon my finger, and lay his bill close to my face, and cry, Poor Robin Crusoe, Where are you? Where have you been? How come you here? and such things as I had taught him.
However, even though I knew it was the parrot, and that indeed it could be no body else, it was a good while before I could compose myself: First, I was amazed how the creature got thither, and then how he should just keep about the place, and no where else: But as I was well satisfied it could be no body but honest Poll, I got it over; and holding out my hand, and calling him by his name Poll, the sociable creature came to me, and sat upon my thumb, as he used to do, and continued talking to me, Poor Robin Crusoe, and how did I come here? and where had I been? just as if he had been overjoy’d to see me again; and so I carry’d him home along with me.
I had now had enough of rambling to sea for some time, and had enough to do for many days to sit still, and reflect upon the danger I had been in. I would have been very glad to have had my boat again on my side of the island; but I knew not how it was practicable to get it about as to the east side of the island, which I had gone round; I knew well enough there was no venturing that way; my very heart would shrink, and my very blood run chill but to think of it: And as to the other side of the island, I did not know how it might be there; but supposing the current ran with the same force against the shore at the east, as it pass’d by it on the other, I might run the same risk of being driven down the stream, and carry’d by the island, as I had been before, of being carry’d away from it; so with these thoughts I contented my self to be without any boat, tho’ it had been the product of so many months labour to make it, and of so many more to get it unto the sea.
In this government of my temper I remain’d near a year, lived a very sedate retired life, as you may well suppose; and my thoughts being very much composed as to my condition, and fully comforted in resigning myself to the dispositions of Providence, I thought I liv’d really very happily in all things, except that of society.
I improv’d my self in this time in all the mechanick exercises which my necessities put me upon applying myself to, and I believe cou’d, upon occasion, have made a very good carpenter, especially considering how few tools I had.
Besides this, I arrived at an unexpected perfection in my earthen ware, and contrived well enough to make them with a wheel, which I found infinitely easyer and better; because I made things round and shapable, which before were filthy things indeed to look on. But I think I was never more vain of my own performance, or more joyful for any thing I found out, than for my being able to make a tobacco-pipe. And tho’ it was a very ugly clumsy thing, when it was done, and only burnt red like other earthen ware, yet as it was hard and firm, and would draw the smoke, I was exceedingly comforted with it, for I had been always used to smoke, and there were pipes in the ship, but I forgot them at first, not knowing that there was tobacco in the island; and afterwards, when I search’d the ship again, I could not come at any pipes at all.
In my wicker ware also I improved much, and made abundance of necessary baskets, as well as my invention shew’d me, though not very handsome, yet they were such as were very handy and convenient for my laying things up in, or fetching things home in. For example, if I kill’d a goat abroad, I could hang it up in a tree, flea it, and dress it, and cut it in pieces, and bring it home in a basket, and the like by a turtle, I could cut it up, take out the eggs, and a piece or two of the flesh, which was enough for me, and bring them home in a basket, and leave the rest behind me. Also large deep baskets were my receivers for my corn, which I always rub’d out as soon as it was dry, and cured, and kept it in great baskets.
I began now to perceive my powder abated considerably, and this was a want which it was impossible for me to supply, and I began seriously to consider what I must do when I should have no more powder; that is to say, how I should do to kill any goat. I had, as is observ’d in the third year of my being here, kept a young kid, and bred her up tame, and I was in hopes of getting a he-goat, but I could not by any means bring it to pass, till my kid grew an old goat; and I could never find in my heart to kill her, till she dy’d at last of meer age.
/> But being now in the eleventh year of my residence, and, as I have said, my ammunition growing low, I set myself to study some art to trap and snare the goats, to see whether I could not catch some of them alive, and particularly I wanted a she-goat great with young.41
To this purpose I made snares to hamper them, and I do believe they were more than once taken in them, but my tackle was not good, for I had no wire, and I always found them broken, and my bait devour’d.
At length I resolv’d to try a pit-fall, so I dug several large pits in the earth, in places where I had observ’d the goats used to feed, and over these pits I placed hurdles of my own making too, with a great weight upon them; and several times I put ears of barley and dry rice, without setting the trap, and I could easily perceive that the goats had gone in and eaten up the corn, for I could see the mark of their feet. At length I set three traps in one night, and going the next morning I found them all standing, and yet the bait eaten and gone: This was very discouraging. However, I alter’d my trap, and, not to trouble you with particulars, going one morning to see my trap, I found in one of them a large old he-goat, and in one of the other, three kids, a male and two females.
