Robinson Crusoe throwing the Moor overboard
1815
Wood-block engraving
Source: Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe, facing page 9.
[Click on image to enlarge it.]
Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham.
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I stept forward, and taking the Moor by surprize, tossed him overboard into the sea. [Caption for frontispiece]
After we had fished some time and caught nothing — for when I had fish on my hook I would not pull them up, that he might not see them — I said to the Moor, "This will not do; our master will not be thus served; we must stand farther off." He, thinking no harm, agreed, and being in the head of the boat, set the sails; and, as I had the helm, I ran the boat out near a league farther, and then brought her to, as if I would fish; when, giving the boy the helm, I stepped forward to where the Moor was, and making as if I stooped for something behind him, I took him by surprise with my arm under his waist, and tossed him clear overboard into the sea. He rose immediately, for he swam like a cork, and called to me, begged to be taken in, told me he would go all over the world with me. He swam so strong after the boat that he would have reached me very quickly, there being but little wind; upon which I stepped into the cabin, and fetching one of the fowling-pieces, I presented it at him, and told him I had done him no hurt, and if he would be quiet I would do him none. "But,"said I, "you swim well enough to reach to the shore, and the sea is calm; make the best of your way to shore, and I will do you no harm; but if you come near the boat I'll shoot you through the head, for I am resolved to have my liberty;" so he turned himself about, and swam for the shore, and I make no doubt but he reached it with ease, for he was an excellent swimmer. [Chapter III, "Slavery and Escape"]
Every thing being prepared, we sailed out of the port to fish; but purposely catching none, I told Muley this would not do, and that we must go further out, which he agreeing to, set the sails, and I having the helm, ran the boat on near a league further, and then brought her to, as if I would fish; when giving the boy the helm, I stept forward, and taking the Moor by surprize, tossed him overboard into the sea; he rose immediately, for he swam like a cork, and called to me to take him in; I presented one of the fowling pieces at him, and told him if he approached the boat I would shoot him through the head; but as the sea was calm, he might easily reach the shore. Being a good swimmer, I made no doubt that he reached it with ease. [page 9]
Robinson Crusoe, dressed as a British merchant sailor, tosses his shipmate the Moor overboard as he makes a desperate attempt to escape slavery in Sallee. The realisation, lacking in perspective, is redeemed by the dolphins on either side of the fishing-boat. However, it is not nearly so effective as Stothard's realisation of the scene with the lions that occurs after his escape with fellow-slave Xury, Robinson Crusoe and Xury alarmed at the sight of a lion in Chapter II, "Slavery and Escape."
Left: Colourful children's book realisation of the same episode, Robinson Crusoe's escaping from Sallee (1818). Centre: Cruikshank's realistic description of the Moorish fishing-vessel, Crusoe tosses the Moorish deckhand overboard (1831). Right: Wehnert's realisation of the same scene, with a highly realistic and dynamic interpretation: Crusoe throwing the Moor overboard (1862). [Click on the images to enlarge them.]
Above: Cassell's highly realistic wood-engraving of the Corsair fishing-boat and the coast of Sallee, Crusoe escapes with Xury (1863-64). [Click on image to enlarge it.]
Defoe, Daniel. (adapted). The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, Who Resided On an Uninhabited Island upwards of Twenty Eight Years. Embellished with Engravings on Wood. London: R. Harrild, Great Eastcheap, 1820.
Last modified 17 February 2018
