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Passage Illustrated: Crusoe delivered from the Island

"Look you, sir," said I, "if I venture upon your deliverance, are you willing to make two conditions with me?" He anticipated my proposals by telling me that both he and the ship, if recovered, should be wholly directed and commanded by me in everything; and if the ship was not recovered, he would live and die with me in what part of the world soever I would send him; and the two other men said the same. "Well," says I, "my conditions are but two; first, that while you stay in this island with me, you will not pretend to any authority here; and if I put arms in your hands, you will, upon all occasions, give them up to me, and do no prejudice to me or mine upon this island, and in the meantime be governed by my orders; secondly, that if the ship is or may be recovered, you will carry me and my man to England passage free." [Chapter XVII, "Visit of the Mutineers"]

Facing Page of Text

. . . captain recovered his ship without further bloodshed.

He instantly informed Robinson Crusoe of the success of his enterprize by firing seven cannon, as had been agreed upon between them. Crusoe was standing on the beach full of care and anxiety; he heard the happy signal with transports of joy.

The next morning the captain went ashore. He embraced Crusoe in the most tender manner, and pointing towards the vessel, "my dear friend," said he, "my dear preserver, behold your ship; it belongs to you, as well as we, and all we possess."

Crusoe cast his eyes towards the sea, and there indeed he saw the ship which was at anchor and very near the shore according to the captain's orders.

He was so overpowered witrh joy, that for a long time he was not able to utter a word. When he came to himself he embraced the captain in his turn, declar-. . . . [page 186]

Commentary

Robinson Crusoe, bearded and in his "island dress," presents a sharp contrast to the spruce-looking British naval officer whose crew have mutinied off the island. If Crusoe and Friday help him regain control of the vessel, he promises to transport Crusoe back to Europe. The illustration, however, does not reflect the dire situation of the Captain or his desperation — for those features of the scene we must consult George Cruikshank's realisation of this interview, Crusoe and Friday encounter the captain of a British ship whose crew have mutinied, towards the end of the first volume.

Comparable Scenes from Stothard (1790), Cruikshank (1831), and Cassell's (1863-64)

Left: Stothard's 1790 realisation of another significant meeting at the end of the first book, Robinson Crusoe and Friday making a tent to lodge Friday's father and the Spaniard (Chapter XVI, "Rescue of the Prisoners from the Cannibals," copper-engraving). Right: Cruikshank's realisation of the interview between the Captain and Crusoe regarding the mutineers, Crusoe and Friday encounter the captain of a British ship whose crew have mutinied (1831). [Click on the images to enlarge them.]

Above: Cassell's realisation of the same scene, but with a decidedly theatrical interpretation, as if Crusoe, with Friday in the background, is meeting the three Englishmen (not distinguished by uniforms) in a stage set: Crusoe discovers Himself to the English Captain (1863). [Click on the image to enlarge it.]

Reference

Defoe, Daniel. The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. A new and improved edition, interspersed with reflections, religious and moral. Adorned with engravings. London: J. Harris, 1818.

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Last modified 16 February 2018