by Daniel Defoe
When he came up to me, I found he had been quite home for an earthen jugg or pot to bring his father some fresh water, and that he had got two more cakes, or loaves of bread: The bread he gave me, but the water he carry’d to his father: However, as I was very thirsty too, I took a little sup of it. This water reviv’d his father more than all the rum or spirits I had given him; for he was just fainting with thirst.
When his father had drank, I call’d to him to know if there was any water left; he said, yes; and I bad him give it to the poor Spaniard, who was in as much want of it as his father; and I sent one of the cakes, that Friday brought, to the Spaniard too, who was, indeed, very weak, and was reposing himself upon a green place under the shade of a tree; and whose limbs were also very stiff, and very much swell’d with the rude bandage he had been ty’d with. When I saw that, upon Friday’s coming to him with the water, he sat up and drank, and took the bread, and began to eat, I went to him, and gave him a handful of raisins; he look’d up in my face with all the tokens of gratitude and thankfulness that could appear in any countenance; but was so weak, notwithstanding he had so exerted himself in the fight, that he could not stand upon his feet; he try’d to do it two or three times, but was really not able, his ankles were so swell’d and so painful to him; so I bad him sit still, and caused Friday to rub his ankles, and bathe them with rum, as he had done his father’s.
I observ’d the poor affectionate creature every two minutes, or perhaps less, all the while he was here, turn’d his head about, to see if his father was in the same place and posture, as he left him sitting; and at last he found he was not to be seen; at which he started up, and without speaking a word, flew with that swiftness to him, that one could scarce perceive his feet to touch the ground, as he went: But when he came, he only found he had laid himself down to ease his limbs; so Friday came back to me presently, and I then spoke to the Spaniard to let Friday help him up if he could, and lead him to the boat, and then he should carry him to our dwelling, where I would take care of him: But Friday, a lusty strong fellow, took the Spaniard quite up upon his back, and carry’d him away to the boat, and set him down softly upon the side or gunnel of the canoe, with his feet in the inside of it, and then lifted him quite in, and set him close to his father, and presently stepping out again, launch’d the boat off, and paddled it along the shore faster than I could walk, though the wind blew pretty hard too; so he brought them both safe into our creek, and leaving them in the boat, runs away to fetch the other canoe. As he pass’d me, I spoke to him, and ask’d him, whither he went, he told me, Go fetch more boat; so away he went like the wind; for sure never man or horse run like him, and he had the other canoe in the creek almost as soon as I got to it by land; so he wafted me over, and then went to help our new guests out of the boat, which he did; but they were neither of them able to walk; so that poor Friday knew not what to do.
To remedy this, I went to work in my thought, and calling to Friday to bid them sit down on the bank while he came to me, I soon made a kind of hand-barrow to lay them on, and Friday and I carry’d them up both together upon it between us: But when we had got them to the outside of our wall or fortification, we were at a worse loss than before; for it was impossible to get them over; and I was resolv’d not to break it down: So I set to work again; and Friday and I, in about two hours time, made a very handsome tent, cover’d with old sails, and above that with boughs of trees, being in the space without our outward fence, and between that and the grove of young wood which I had planted: And here we made them two beds of such things as I had (viz.) of good rice-straw, with blankets laid upon it, to lye on, and another to cover them on each bed.
My island was now peopled, and I thought my self very rich in subjects; and it was a merry reflection which I frequently made, how like a king I look’d. First of all, the whole country was my own meer property; so that I had an undoubted right of dominion. Secondly, my people were perfectly subjected: I was absolute lord and law-giver; they all ow’d their lives to me, and were ready to lay down their lives, if there had been occasion of it, for me. It was remarkable too, we had but three subjects, and they were of three different religions. My man Friday was a Protestant, his father was a pagan and a cannibal, and the Spaniard was a Papist: However, I allow’d liberty of conscience throughout my dominions: But this is by the way.
As soon as I had secur’d my two weak rescued prisoners, and given them shelter, and a place to rest them upon, I began to think of making some provision for them: And the first thing I did, I order’d Friday to take a yearling goat, betwixt a kid and a goat, out of my particular flock, to be kill’d, when I cut off the hinder quarter, and chopping it into small pieces, I set Friday to work to boiling and stewing, and made them a very good dish, I assure you, of flesh and broth, having put some barley and rice also into the broth; and as I cook’d it without doors, for I made no fire within my inner wall, so I carry’d it all into the new tent; and having set a table there for them, I sat down and eat my own dinner also with them, and, as well as I could, cheer’d them and encourag’d them; Friday being my interpreter, especially to his father, and indeed to the Spaniard too; for the Spaniard spoke the language of the savages pretty well.
After we had dined, or rather supped, I order’d Friday to take one of the canoes, and go and fetch our musquets and other fire-arms, which for want of time we had left upon the place of battle, and the next day I order’d him to go and bury the dead bodies of the savages, which lay open to the sun, and would presently be offensive; and I also order’d him to bury the horrid remains of their babarous feast, which I knew were pretty much, and which I could not think of doing my self; nay, I could not bear to see them, if I went that way: All which he punctually perform’d, and defac’d the very appearance of the savages being there; so that when I went again, I could scarce know where it was, otherwise than by the corner of the wood pointing to the place.
I then began to enter into a little conversation with my two new subjects; and first I set Friday to enquire of his father, what he thought of the escape of the savages in that canoe, and whether we might expect a return of them with a power too great for us to resist. His first opinion was, that the savages in the boat never could live out the storm which blew that night they went off, but must of necessity be drown’d or driven south to those other shores, where they were as sure to be devour’d as they were to be drown’d if they were cast away; but as to what they would do if they came safe on shore, he said he knew not; but it was his opinion that they were so dreadfully frighted with the manner of their being attack’d, the noise and the fire, that he believ’d they would tell their people they were all kill’d by thunder and lightning, not by the hand of man, and that the two which appear’d, (viz.) Friday and me, were two heavenly spirits or furies, come down to destroy them and not men with weapons: This he said he knew, because he heard them all cry out so in their language to one another, for it was impossible to them to conceive that a man could dart fire, and speak thunder, and kill at a distance without lifting up the hand, as was done now: And this old savage was in the right; for, as I understood since by other hands, the savages never attempted to go over to the island afterwards; they were so terrified with the accounts given by those four men, (for it seems they did escape the sea) that they believ’d whoever went to that enchanted island would be destroy’d with fire from the gods.
This however I knew not, and therefore was under continual apprehensions for a good while, and kept always upon my guard, me and all my army; for as we were now four of us, I would have ventur’d upon a hundred of them fairly in the open field at any time.
In a little time, however, no more canoes appearing, the fear of their coming wore off, and I began to take my former thoughts of a voyage to the main into consideration, being likewise assur’d by Friday’s father, that I might depend upon good usage from their nation on his account, if I would go.
But my thoughts were a little suspended, when I had a serious discou
rse with the Spaniard, and when I understood that there were sixteen more of his countrymen and Portuguese, who having been cast away, and made their escape to that side, liv’d there at peace indeed with the savages, but were very sore put to it for necessaries, and indeed for life: I ask’d him all the particulars of their voyage, and found they were a Spanish ship bound from the Rio de la Plata to the Havana, being directed to leave their loading there, which was chiefly hides and silver, and to bring back what European goods they could meet with there; that they had five Portuguese seamen on board, whom they took out of another wreck; that five of their own men were drowned when the first ship was lost, and that these escaped thro’ infinite dangers and hazards, and arriv’d almost starv’d on the cannibal coast, where they expected to have been devour’d every moment.
He told me, they had some arms with them, but they were perfectly useless, for that they had neither powder or ball, the washing of the sea having spoil’d all their powder but a little, which they used at their first landing to provide themselves some food.
I ask’d him what he thought would become of them there, and if they had form’d no design of making any escape? He said, They had many consultations about it, but that having neither vessel, or tools to build one, or provisions of any kind, their counsels always ended in tears and despair.
I ask’d him how he thought they would receive a proposal from me, which might tend towards an escape? And whether, if they were all here, it might not be done? I told him with freedom, I fear’d mostly their treachery and ill usage of me, if I put my life in their hands; for that gratitude was no inherent virtue in the nature of man; nor did men always square their dealings by the obligations they had receiv’d, so much as they did by the advantages they expected. I told him, it would be very hard, that I should be the instrument of their deliverance, and that they should afterwards make me their prisoner in New Spain, where an English man was certain to be made a sacrifice, what necessity, or what accident soever brought him thither: And that I had rather be deliver’d up to the savages, and be devour’d alive, than fall into the merciless claws of the priests, and be carry’d into the Inquisition. I added, that otherwise I was perswaded, if they were all here, we might, with so many hands, build a bark large enough to carry us all away, either to the Brasils south-ward, or to the islands or Spanish coast north-ward: But that if in requital they should, when I had put weapons into their hands, carry me by force among their own people, I might be ill used for my kindness to them, and make my case worse than it was before.
He answer’d with a great deal of candor and ingenuity, that their condition was so miserable, and they were so sensible of it, that he believed they would abhor the thought of using any man unkindly that should contribute to their deliverance; and that, if I pleased, he would go to them with the old man, and discourse with them about it, and return again, and bring me their answer: That he would make conditions with them upon their solemn oath, that they should be absolutely under my leading, as their commander and captain; and that they should swear upon the Holy Sacraments and the Gospel, to be true to me, and to go to such Christian country as that I should agree to, and no other; and to be directed wholly and absolutely by my orders, till they were landed safely in such country as I intended; and that he would bring a contract from them under their hands for that purpose.
Then he told me, he would first swear to me himself, That he would never stir from me as long as he liv’d, till I gave him orders; and that he would take my side to the last drop of his blood, if there should happen the least breach of faith among his country-men.
He told me, they were all of them very civil honest men, and they were under the greatest distress imaginable, having neither weapons or clothes, nor any food, but at the mercy and discretion of the savages; out of all hopes of ever returning to their own country; and that he was sure, if I would undertake their relief, they would live and die by me.
Upon these assurances, I resolv’d to venture to relieve them, if possible, and to send the old savage and this Spaniard over to them to treat: But when we had gotten all things in a readiness to go, the Spaniard himself started an objection, which had so much prudence in it on one hand, and so much sincerity on the other hand, that I could not but be very well satisfy’d in it; and, by his advice, put off the deliverance of his comrades for at least half a year. The case was thus:
He had been with us now about a month; during which time, I had let him see in what manner I had provided, with the assistance of Providence, for my support; and he saw evidently what stock of corn and rice I had laid up; which, as it was more than sufficient for my self, so it was not sufficient, at least without good husbandry, for my family; now it was encreas’d to number four: But much less would it be sufficient, if his country-men, who were, as he said, fourteen still alive, should come over. And least of all would it be sufficient to victual our vessel, if we should build one, for a voyage to any of the Christian colonies of America. So he told me, he thought it would be more advisable, to let him and the two other, dig and cultivate some more land, as much as I could spare seed to sow; and that we should wait another harvest, that we might have a supply of corn for his country-men when they should come; for want might be a temptation to them to disagree, or not to think themselves delivered, otherwise than out of one difficulty into another. You know, says he, the children of Israel, though they rejoyc’d at first for their being deliver’d out of Egypt, yet rebell’d even against God himself that deliver’d them, when they came to want bread in the wilderness.67
His caution was so seasonable, and his advice so good, that I could not but be very well pleased with his proposal, as well as I was satisfy’d with his fidelity. So we fell to digging all four of us, as well as the wooden tools we were furnish’d with permitted; and in about a month’s time, by the end of which it was seed time, we had gotten as much land cur’d and trimm’d up, as we sowed 22 bushels of barley on, and 16 jars of rice, which was in short all the seed we had to spare; nor indeed did we leave our selves barley sufficient for our own food, for the six months that we had to expect our crop, that is to say, reckoning from the time we set our seed aside for sowing; for it is not to be supposed it is six months in the ground in the country.
Having now society enough, and our number being sufficient to put us out of fear of the savages, if they had come, unless their number had been very great, we went freely all over the island, where-ever we found occasion; and as here we had our escape or deliverance upon our thoughts, it was impossible, at least for me, to have the means of it out of mine; to this purpose, I mark’d out several trees which I thought fit for our work, and I set Friday and his father to cutting them down; and then I caused the Spaniard to whom I imparted my thought on that affair, to oversee and direct their work. I shew’d them with what indefatigable pains I had hewed a large tree into single planks, and I caused them to do the like, till they had made about a dozen large planks of good oak, near two foot broad, 35 foot long, and from 2 inches to 4 inches thick: What prodigious labour it took up, any one may imagine.
At the same time I contriv’d to encrease my little flock of tame goats as much as I could; and to this purpose, I made Friday and the Spaniard go out one day, and myself with Friday the next day, for we took our turns: And by this means we got above 20 young kids to breed up with the rest; for whenever we shot the dam, we saved the kids, and added them to our flock: But above all, the season for curing the grapes coming on, I caused such a prodigious quantity to be hung up in the sun, that I believe, had we been at Alicant,68 where the raisins of the sun are cur’d, we could have fill’d 60 or 80 barrels; and these with our bread was a great part of our food, and very good living too, I assure you; for it is an exceeding nourishing food.
It was now harvest, and our crop in good order; it was not the most plentiful increase I had seen in the island, but however it was enough to answer our end; for from our 22 bushels of barley, we brought in and thrashed out above 220 bushels;
and the like in proportion of the rice, which was store enough for our food to the next harvest, tho’ all the 16 Spaniards had been on shore with me; or if we had been ready for a voyage, it would very plentifully have victualled our ship, to have carry’d us to any part of the world, that is to say, of America.
When we had thus hous’d and secur’d our magazine of corn, we fell to work to make more wicker work, (viz.) great baskets in which we kept it; and the Spaniard was very handy and dexterous at this part, and often blam’d me that I did not make some things for defence, of this kind of work; but I saw no need of it.
And now having a full supply of food for all the guests I expected, I gave the Spaniard leave to go over to the main, to see what he could do with those he had left behind him there. I gave him a strict charge in writing, not to bring any man with him, who would not first swear in the presence of himself and of the old savage, that he would no way injure, fight with, or attack the person he should find in the island, who was so kind to send for them in order to their deliverance; but that they would stand by and defend him against all such attempts, and where-ever they went, would be entirely under and subjected to his commands; and that this should be put in writing, and sign’d with their hands: How we were to have this done, when I knew they had neither pen or ink; that indeed was a question which we never ask’d.
Under these instructions, the Spaniard, and the old savage (the father of Friday) went away in one of the canoes, which they might be said to come in, or rather were brought in, when they came as prisoners to be devour’d by the savages.
