Robinson Crusoe (Penguin ed.)

by Daniel Defoe

  Besides this, I kept my self, as I said, more retired than ever, and seldom went from my cell, other than upon my constant employment, viz. to milk my she-goats, and manage my little flock, in the wood; which as it was quite on the other part of the island, was quite out of danger; for certain it is, that these savage people who sometimes haunted this island, never came with any thoughts of finding any thing here; and consequently never wandred off from the coast; and I doubt not, but they might have been several times on shore, after my apprehensions of them had made me cautious as well as before; and indeed, I look’d back with some horror upon the thoughts of what my condition would have been, if I had chop’d upon them, and been discover’d before that, when naked and unarm’d, except with one gun, and that loaden often only with small shot, I walk’d every where peeping and peeping about the island, to see what I could get; what a surprise should I have been in, if when I discover’d the print of a man’s foot, I had instead of that seen fifteen or twenty savages, and found them pursuing me, and by the swiftness of their running, no possibility of my escaping them.

  The thoughts of this sometimes sunk my very soul within me, and distress’d my mind so much, that I could not soon recover it, to think what I should have done, and how I not only should not have been able to resist them, but even should not have had presence of mind enough to do what I might have done; much less, what now after so much consideration and preparation I might be able to do: Indeed, after serious thinking of these things, I should be very melancholy, and sometimes it would last a great while; but I resolv’d it at last all into thankfulness to that Providence, which had deliver’d me from so many unseen dangers, and had kept me from those mischiefs which I could no way have been the agent in delivering my self from; because I had not the least notion of any such thing depending, or the least supposition of it being possible.

  This renew’d a contemplation, which often had come to my thoughts in former time, when first I began to see the merciful dispositions of Heaven, in the dangers we run through in this life. How wonderfully we are deliver’d, when we know nothing of it. How, when we are in (a quandary, as we call it) a doubt or hesitation, whether to go this way, or that way, a secret hint shall direct us this way, when we intended to go that way; nay, when sense, our own inclination, and perhaps business has call’d to go the other way, yet a strange impression upon the mind, from we know not what springs, and by we know not what power, shall over-rule us to go this way; and it shall afterwards appear, that had we gone that way which we should have gone, and even to our imagination ought to have gone, we should have been ruin’d and lost: Upon these, and many like reflections, I afterwards made it a certain rule with me, that whenever I found those secret hints, or pressings of my mind, to doing, or not doing any thing that presented; or to going this way, or that way, I never fail’d to obey the secret dictate; though I knew no other reason for it, than that such a pressure, or such a hint hung upon my mind: I could give many examples of the success of this conduct in the course of my life; but more especially in the latter part of my inhabiting this unhappy island; besides many occasions which it is very likely I might have taken notice of, if I had seen with the same eyes then, that I saw with now: But ’tis never too late to be wise; and I cannot but advise all considering men, whose lives are attended with such extraordinary incidents as mine, or even though not so extraordinary, not to slight such secret intimations of Providence, let them come from what invisible intelligence they will, that I shall not discuss,48 and perhaps cannot account for; but certainly they are a proof of the converse of spirits, and the secret communication between those embody’d, and those unembody’d; and such a proof as can never be withstood: Of which I shall have occasion to give some very remarkable instances, in the remainder of my solitary residence in this dismal place.

  I believe the reader of this will not think strange, if I confess that these anxieties, these constant dangers I liv’d in, and the concern that was now upon me, put an end to all invention, and to all the contrivances that I had laid for my future accommodations and conveniences. I had the care of my safety more now upon my hands, than that of my food. I car’d not to drive a nail, or chop a stick of wood now, for fear the noise I should make, should be heard; much less would I fire a gun, for the same reason; and above all, I was intolerably uneasy at making any fire, lest the smoke, which is visible at a great distance in the day, should betray me; and for this reason I remov’d that part of my business which requir’d fire; such as burning of pots and pipes, &c. into my new apartment in the woods, where after I had been some time, I found, to my unspeakable consolation, a meer natural cave in the earth, which went in a vast way, and where, I dare say, no savage had he been at the mouth of it, would be so hardy as to venture in, nor indeed, would any man else; but one who like me, wanted nothing so much as a safe retreat.

  The mouth of this hollow, was at the bottom of a great rock, where by meer accident, (I would say, if I did not see abundant reason to ascribe all such things now to Providence) I was cutting down some thick branches of trees, to make charcoal; and before I go on, I must observe the reason of my making this charcoal; which was thus:

  I was afraid of making a smoke about my habitation, as I said before; and yet I could not live there without baking my bread, cooking my meat, &c. so I contriv’d to burn some wood here, as I had seen done in England, under turf, till it became chark, or dry coal; and then putting the fire out, I preserv’d the coal to carry home; and perform the other services which fire was wanting for at home without danger of smoke.

  But this is by the by: While I was cutting down some wood here, I perceiv’d that behind a very thick branch of low brushwood, or under wood, there was a kind of hollow place. I was curious to look into it, and getting with difficulty into the mouth of it, I found it was pretty large; that is to say, sufficient for me to stand upright in it, and perhaps another with me; but I must confess to you, I made more haste out than I did in, when looking farther into the place, and which was perfectly dark, I saw two broad shining eyes of some creature, whether Devil or man I knew not, which twinkled like two stars, the dim light from the cave’s mouth shining directly in and making the reflection.

  However, after some pause, I recover’d my self, and began to call my self a thousand fools, and tell my self, that he that was afraid to see the Devil, was not fit to live twenty years in an island all alone; and that I durst to believe there was nothing in this cave that was more frightful than my self; upon this, plucking up my courage, I took up a great firebrand, and in I rush’d again, with the stick flaming in my hand; I had not gone three steps in, but I was almost as much frighted as I was before; for I heard a very loud sigh, like that of a man in some pain, and it was follow’d by a broken noise, as if of words half express’d, and then a deep sigh again: I stepp’d back, and was indeed struck with such a surprise, that it put me into a cold sweat; and if I had had a hat on my head, I will not answer for it, that my hair might not have lifted it off. But still plucking up my spirits as well as I could, and encouraging my self a little with considering that the power and presence of God was every where, and was able to protect me; upon this I stepp’d forward again, and by the light of the firebrand, holding it up a little over my head, I saw lying on the ground a most monstrous frightful old he-goat, just making his will, as we say, and gasping for life, and dying indeed of meer old age.

  I stirr’d him a little, to see if I could get him out, and he essay’d to get up, but was not able to raise himself; and I thought with my self, he might even lie there; for if he had frighted me so, he would certainly fright any of the savages, if any of them should be so hardy as to come in there, while he had any life in him.

  I was now recover’d from my surprise, and began to look round me, when I found the cave was but very small, that is to say, it might be about twelve foot over, but in no manner of shape, either round or square, no hands having ever been employ’d in making it, but those of meer Nature: I observ�
��d also, that there was a place at the farther side of it, that went in farther, but was so low, that it requir’d me to creep upon my hands and knees to go into it, and whither I went I knew not; so having no candle, I gave it over for some time; but resolv’d to come again the next day, provided with candles, and a tinderbox, which I had made of the lock of one of the muskets, with some wild-fire in the pan.49

  Accordingly, the next day I came provided with six large candles of my own making; for I made very good candles now of goat’s tallow; and going into this low place, I was oblig’d to creep upon all fours, as I have said, almost ten yards; which, by the way, I thought was a venture bold enough, considering that I knew not how far it might go, nor what was beyond it. When I was got through the strait, I found the roof rose higher up, I believe near twenty foot; but never was such a glorious sight seen in the island, I dare say, as it was, to look round the sides and roof of this vault or cave; the walls reflected a hundred thousand lights to me from my two candles; what it was in the rock, whether diamonds, or any other precious stones, or gold, which I rather suppos’d it to be, I knew not.

  The place I was in, was a most delightful cavity, or grotto, of its kind, as could be expected, though perfectly dark; the floor was dry and level, and had a sort of small loose gravel upon it, so that there was no nauseous or venomous creature to be seen, neither was there any damp or wet on the sides or roof: The only difficulty in it was the entrance, which however as it was a place of security, and such a retreat as I wanted, I thought that was a convenience; so that I was really rejoyc’d at the discovery, and resolv’d without any delay, to bring some of those things which I was most anxious about to this place; particularly, I resolv’d to bring hither my magazine of powder, and all my spare arms, viz. two fowling-pieces, for I had three in all; and three musquets, for of them I had eight in all; so I kept at my castle only five, which stood ready mounted, like pieces of cannon, on my out-most fence; and were ready also to take out upon any expedition.

  Upon this occasion of removing my ammunition, I took occasion to open the barrel of powder which I took up out of the sea, and which had been wet; and I found that the water had penetrated about three or four inches into the powder on every side, which caking and growing hard, had preserv’d the inside like a kernel in a shell; so that I had near sixty pound of very good powder in the center of the cask, and this was an agreeable discovery to me at that time; so I carry’d all away thither, never keeping above two or three pound of powder with me in my castle, for fear of a surprise of any kind: I also carry’d thither all the lead I had left for bullets.

  I fancy’d my self now like one of the ancient giants, which were said to live in caves, and holes, in the rocks, where none could come at them; for I perswaded my self while I was here, if five hundred savages were to hunt me, they could never find me out; or if they did, they would not venture to attack me here.

  The old goat who I found expiring, dy’d in the mouth of the cave, the next day after I made this discovery; and I found it much easier to dig a great hole there, and throw him in, and cover him with earth, than to drag him out; so I interr’d him there, to prevent the offence to my nose.

  I was now in my twenty third year of residence in this island, and was so naturaliz’d to the place, and to the manner of living, that could I have but enjoy’d the certainty that no savages would come to the place to disturb me, I could have been content to have capitulated for spending the rest of my time there, even to the last moment, till I had laid me down and dy’d, like the old goat in the cave. I had also arriv’d to some little diversions and amusements, which made the time pass more pleasantly with me a great deal, than it did before; as first, I had taught my Poll, as I noted before, to speak; and he did it so familiarly, and talk’d so articulately and plain, that it was very pleasant to me; and he lived with me no less than six and twenty years: How long he might live afterwards, I know not; tho’ I know they have a notion in the Brasils, that they live a hundred years; perhaps poor Poll may be alive there still, calling after Poor Robin Crusoe to this day. I wish no English man the ill luck to come there and hear him; but if he did, he would certainly believe it was the Devil. My dog was a very pleasant and loving companion to me, for no less than sixteen years of my time, and then dy’d of meer old age; as for my cats, they multiply’d as I have observ’d to that degree, that I was oblig’d to shoot several of them at first, to keep them from devouring me and all I had; but at length, when the two old ones I brought with me were gone, and after some time continually driving them from me, and letting them have no provision with me, they all ran wild into the woods, except two or three favourites, which I kept tame; and whose young, when they had any, I always drown’d; and these were part of my family: Besides these I always kept two or three household kids about me, who I taught to feed out of my hand; and I had two more parrots which talk’d pretty well, and would all call Robin Crusoe; but none like my first; nor indeed did I take the pains with any of them that I had done with him. I had also several tame sea-fowls, whose names I know not, who I caught upon the shore, and cut their wings; and the little stakes which I had planted before my castle wall being now grown up to a good thick grove, these fowls all liv’d among these low trees, and bred there, which was very agreeable to me; so that as I said above, I began to be very well contented with the life I led, if it might but have been secur’d from the dread of the savages.

  But it was otherwise directed; and it may not be amiss for all people who shall meet with my story, to make this just observation from it, viz. how frequently, in the course of our lives, the evil which in itself we seek most to shun, and which, when we are fallen into, is the most dreadful to us, is oftentimes the very means or door of our deliverance, by which alone we can be rais’d again from the affliction we are fallen into. I cou’d give many examples of this in the course of my unaccountable life; but in nothing was it more particularly remarkable, than in the circumstances of my last years of solitary residence in this island.

  It was now the month of December, as I said above, in my twenty third year; and this being the southern Solstice, for winter I cannot call it, was the particular time of my harvest, and requir’d my being pretty much abroad in the fields, when going out pretty early in the morning, even before it was thorow day-light, I was surpris’d with seeing a light of some fire upon the shore, at a distance from me, of about two mile towards the end of the island, where I had observ’d some savages had been, as before; but not on the other side; but to my great affliction, it was on my side of the island.

  I was indeed terribly surpris’d at the sight, and stepp’d short within my grove, not daring to go out, least I might be surpris’d; and yet I had no more peace within, from the apprehensions I had, that if these savages in rambling over the island, should find my corn standing, or cut, or any of my works and improvements, they would immediately conclude, that there were people in the place, and would then never give over till they had found me out: In this extremity I went back directly to my castle, pull’d up the ladder after me, and made all things without look as wild and natural as I could.

  Then I prepar’d my self within, putting myself in a posture of defence; I loaded all my cannon, as I call’d them; that is to say, my musquets, which were mounted upon my new fortification, and all my pistols, and resolv’d to defend my self to the last gasp, not forgetting seriously to commend my self to the divine protection, and earnestly to pray to God to deliver me out of the hands of the barbarians; and in this posture I continu’d about two hours; but began to be mighty impatient for intelligence abroad, for I had no spies to send out.

  After sitting a while longer, and musing what I should do in this case, I was not able to bear sitting in ignorance any longer; so setting up my ladder to the side of the hill, where there was a flat place, as I observ’d before, and then pulling the ladder up after me, I set it up again, and mounted to the top of the hill, and pulling out my prospective glass, which I had taken on purpose,
I laid me down flat on my belly, on the ground, and began to look for the place; I presently found there was no less than nine naked savages, sitting round a small fire, they had made, not to warm them; for they had no need of that, the weather being extreme hot; but as I suppos’d, to dress some of their barbarous diet, of human flesh, which they had brought with them, whether alive or dead I could not know.

  They had two canoes with them, which they had haled up upon the shore; and as it was then tide of ebb, they seem’d to me to wait for the return of the flood, to go away again; it is not easy to imagine what confusion this sight put me into, especially seeing them come on my side the island, and so near me too; but when I observ’d their coming must be always with the current of the ebb, I began afterwards to be more sedate in my mind, being satisfy’d that I might go abroad with safety all the time of the tide of flood, if they were not on shore before: And having made this observation, I went abroad about my harvest work with the more composure.

  As I expected, so it prov’d; for as soon as the tide made to the westward, I saw them all take boat, and row (or paddle, as we call it) all away: I should have observ’d, that for an hour and more before they went off, they went to dancing, and I could easily discern their postures and gestures by my glasses: I could not perceive by my nicest observation, but that they were stark naked, and had not the least covering upon them; but whether they were men or women, that I could not distinguish.

  As soon as I saw them shipp’d, and gone, I took two guns upon my shoulders, and two pistols at my girdle, and my great sword by my side, without a scabbard, and with all the speed I was able to make, I went away to the hill, where I had discover’d the first appearance of all; and as soon as I gat thither, which was not less than two hours; for I could not go apace, being so loaden with arms as I was. I perceiv’d there had been three canoes more of savages in that place; and looking out farther, I saw they were all at sea together, making over for the main.