After I had brought all my new belongings ashore and secured them, I returned to my boat and rowed her back to her old harbour. Once she was safely laid up, I made my way to my primary habitation, where I found everything quiet and exactly as I had left it. I began to settle back into my old routine, attending to my domestic affairs; for a while, life felt easy enough. However, I was far more vigilant than I used to be. I kept a sharper lookout and did not venture far from home as often. When I did travel with any degree of freedom, I stayed toward the eastern part of the island. I was fairly certain that the savages never visited that side, so I could walk there without the heavy burden of arms and ammunition I felt forced to carry elsewhere.
I lived in this state of constant watchfulness for nearly two more years. Yet, my restless mind—which seemed destined to make my life difficult—was constantly filled with schemes and projects for my escape. At times, I considered making another voyage to the wreck, though my reason told me there was nothing left there worth the risk. At other times, I imagined wandering in different directions across the sea. I truly believe that if I had possessed the boat I had used to escape from Sallee years ago, I would have set sail for the open ocean, regardless of the destination.
In many ways, my life served as a reminder to those who suffer from that common human plague: the inability to be satisfied with the station in life where God and Nature have placed them. Looking back, I realized that my "original sin" had been ignoring my father’s excellent advice. My subsequent mistakes were all born of the same restlessness. Had Providence, which had successfully established me as a planter in the Brazils, blessed me with more modest desires, I might have become one of the most prosperous men in that country. By now, I would likely have been worth a fortune. There was no reason for me to leave a settled life and a growing plantation to become a trader on a dangerous voyage to Guinea. Although I could have bought what I needed later with patience and time, I chose instead to risk everything for a quick profit.
But such is the nature of youth; reflection on one's folly usually only comes with age and dearly bought experience. This was certainly my case. Even though I recognized my past mistakes, the desire to escape was so deeply rooted in my temperament that I could not find peace. I was continually obsessed with the possibility of leaving the island. To help the reader understand the remainder of my story, I should explain how this plan for escape first formed in my mind.
After my voyage to the wreck, I had retired to my castle, with my boat secured as usual. I had more wealth than before, but I was not truly richer, for the money was as useless to me as it would have been to the ancient inhabitants of Peru. One night in March, during the rainy season of my twenty-fourth year on the island, I lay awake in my hammock. I was in good health and had no physical pain, yet I found it impossible to close my eyes.
A crowd of thoughts whirled through my mind. I reviewed the entire history of my life, from my earliest days to my arrival on this solitary shore. I compared the peaceful happiness of my first few years here with the anxiety and fear I had endured ever since I first saw that footprint in the sand. I realized that the savages had likely been visiting the island all along, but because I had been unaware of them, I had been perfectly content. This led me to reflect on how kind Providence is to limit our vision. If we could see all the dangers that surround us, our spirits would sink; instead, we are kept calm by our own ignorance.
Then, I began to wonder where these creatures lived and how far the coast was from which they came. Why did they venture so far? What kind of boats did they use? I started to ask myself why I couldn't cross over to their land, just as they came to mine. I did not stop to consider the dangers—what I would do if I were captured, or how I would find food. My mind was entirely focused on reaching the mainland. I felt that my current condition was so miserable that only death could be worse. Perhaps on the mainland, I might find relief, or I could follow the coast until I found a Christian ship. These were the thoughts of a disturbed and impatient mind, made desperate by years of solitude and the recent disappointment of the shipwreck.
This obsession became so intense that it felt like a fever. Finally, exhausted by my own thoughts, I fell into a deep sleep. I did not dream of the mainland, but instead, I dreamed that as I was leaving my castle, I saw two canoes and eleven savages landing on the beach. They brought with them another savage, whom they intended to kill and eat. Suddenly, the intended victim escaped and ran toward my grove to hide. In my dream, I showed myself to him and encouraged him. He knelt before me, begging for help. I showed him my ladder, took him into my cave, and he became my servant. I told myself, "Now I can venture to the mainland, for this man will serve as my pilot and guide." I woke up with a feeling of incredible joy, but when I realized it was only a dream, I sank into a deep depression.
However, this dream gave me a new idea: my only chance of escape was to capture a savage. Ideally, it would be a prisoner they had brought to the island to be eaten. The difficulty, of course, was that I would have to attack a large group and kill them, which was a desperate and dangerous plan. Furthermore, I had moral doubts about shedding so much blood, even for my own freedom. I struggled with these thoughts for a long time. But in the end, my desire for deliverance mastered my conscience. I resolved to get a savage into my hands, no matter the cost.
For a year and a half, I kept a constant watch, but no canoes appeared. This was discouraging, yet my desire only grew stronger. I was no longer trying to avoid the savages; I was actively looking for them. I convinced myself that I could manage one or even two servants and make them entirely loyal to me.
Finally, one morning, I was surprised to see five canoes on the shore. This many boats meant there could be thirty or more men, which made an attack very risky. I stayed in my castle, feeling disappointed, but I prepared my weapons just in case. Impatient for information, I climbed to the top of the hill and looked through my telescope. I saw about thirty savages dancing around a fire, celebrating a barbaric feast.
As I watched, they dragged two miserable victims from the boats. One was immediately struck down and killed. But the other victim, seeing himself momentarily unguarded, suddenly ran with incredible speed toward my part of the island. I was terrified at first, especially when I thought the whole group was chasing him. My heart raced as I saw that part of my dream was coming true. However, I felt relieved when I noticed that only three men were pursuing him. Even better, the prisoner was much faster than his pursuers and was gaining ground.
Between the runner and my castle lay the creek. When the escaping savage reached it, he plunged in and swam across in about thirty strokes. Of the three pursuers, only two could swim, and they were much slower than the first man. It occurred to me with irresistible force that this was my opportunity to gain a companion. I felt called by Providence to save this creature's life.
I hurried down my ladders, grabbed my two guns, and ran toward the shore. I managed to place myself between the pursuers and the fugitive. I shouted to the man who was running; he looked back and was clearly terrified of me. I beckoned for him to come toward me, while I advanced on the two men behind him. I rushed at the first pursuer and knocked him unconscious with the stock of my gun. I didn't want to fire and alert the others, but when I saw the second pursuer preparing to shoot an arrow at me, I was forced to fire. I killed him with my first shot.
The poor prisoner was so frightened by the noise and fire of my gun that he stood perfectly still. I called to him and made signs for him to approach. He came forward slowly, stopping every few steps and trembling. He knelt down frequently to show his gratitude. I smiled and encouraged him, and finally, he came close to me. He knelt again, kissed the ground, and taking my foot, he placed it upon his head. This was clearly a gesture of total submission, a vow to be my slave forever.
However, there was more work to do. The man I had knocked down began to wake up. My new servant saw this and became afraid. I pointed my gun at the wounded man, but then my savage made a motion asking for my sword. I gave it to him, and he quickly and skillfully cut off the other man’s head. He then brought the sword back to me, laughing in triumph. He was astonished by how I had killed the other man from a distance, and he examined the body with great curiosity.
Realizing that more savages might follow, I beckoned for him to come with me. He made signs that he should bury the bodies in the sand so they wouldn't be discovered, which I allowed him to do. He finished the task in less than fifteen minutes. Then, I led him away, not to my castle, but to my hidden cave on the other side of the island. There, I gave him bread, raisins, and water. He was exhausted from the pursuit. I showed him a place to sleep on some rice-straw and a blanket, and the poor creature fell into a deep slumber.
He was a handsome young man, about twenty-six years old. He was tall and well-shaped, with strong, straight limbs. His face was manly and lacked the fierce look I had expected; instead, he had a certain softness, especially when he smiled. His hair was long and black, his forehead high, and his eyes very bright. His skin was a bright, agreeable olive-brown, and his teeth were as white as ivory.
When he woke up about half an hour later, he came out to find me. I was milking my goats. He ran to me and once again placed his head on the ground under my foot to show his loyalty. I began to speak to him and teach him basic words. I told him his name would be Friday, after the day I had saved his life. I taught him to call me "Master" and explained the meaning of "Yes" and "No." I gave him some milk and bread, and he showed great pleasure in the meal.
The next morning, I signaled for him to follow me so I could give him clothes, as he was completely naked. As we passed the place where he had buried the men, he pointed to the spot and suggested we dig them up and eat them. I expressed my total horror and disgust at this, making it clear that such behavior was forbidden. He understood immediately and followed me submissively. We went to the top of the hill and saw that the other savages and their canoes were gone.
With more courage now that I had a companion, I took Friday to the site of the feast. The scene was horrific; the ground was covered with human bones and blood. Friday explained through signs that they had brought four prisoners, and he had been the fourth. He described a great battle between his people and a neighboring king. I made Friday gather all the remains and burn them to ashes. I could see that he still felt a lingering desire for the meat, but my obvious abhorrence kept him from acting on it. I let him know that I would kill him if he ever attempted to eat human flesh again.
We returned to my castle, where I set to work making clothes for him. I gave him linen drawers from the wreck, a jerkin made of goat-skin, and a cap of hare-skin. He was delighted to be dressed almost as well as his master, though it took him some time to get used to the feel of the fabric.
I decided to lodge him in a tent between my two fortifications. I built a formal door that I could bar from the inside, ensuring that Friday could not reach me at night without making a great deal of noise. I also took all my weapons into my side of the cave every evening. But I soon realized these precautions were unnecessary. No man ever had a more faithful or loving servant than Friday. He was devoted to me like a child to a father, and I am certain he would have sacrificed his life for mine.
This made me reflect with wonder on the nature of humanity. Although these people were kept from the knowledge we possess in the civilized world, God had given them the same powers of reason, the same capacity for kindness, and the same sense of gratitude and fidelity. It made me somewhat sad to realize that we, who have the benefit of instruction and the Word of God, often make such poor use of our faculties compared to a "savage" like Friday.
I was immensely delighted with my new companion. He was an apt student, always cheerful and diligent. My life on the island became so much easier that I began to think I would be content to stay there forever, provided I was safe from further attacks.