The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 407 pages of information about The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801).

The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 407 pages of information about The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801).
and large forehead, with a great vivacity and sparkling sharpness in his eyes.  His skin was not so tawney, as the Virginians, Brazilians, or other Americans; but rather of a bright dun, olive colour, that had something agreeable in it, though not very easy to give a description of.  His face was round and plump, with a small nose, very different from the flatness of the negroes, a pretty small mouth, thin lips, fine teeth, very well set, and white as the driven snow.  In a word, such handsome features, and exact symmetry in every part, made me consider that I had saved the life of an Indian prince, no less graceful and accomplished than the great Oroonoko whose memorable behavior and unhappy contingencies of life have charmed the world, both to admiration of his person, and compassion to his sufferings.

But let him be either prince or peasant, all my happiness centered in this, that I had now got a good servant or companion, to whom, as he deserved, I was resolved to prove a kind master and a lasting friend.  He had not, I think, slept above an hour when he awakened again, and while I was milking my goats hard by, out he runs from the cave towards me in my inclosure, and laying himself down on the ground, in the lowest prostration, made all the antic gestures imaginable, to express his thankfulness to me for being his deliverer.  I confess though the manner of his behaviour seemed to be ludicrous enough to occasion, laughter, yet I was very much moved at his affection, so that my heart melted within me, fearing he might die away in excess of joy, like reprieved malefactors, especially as I was incapable either to let him blood, or administer physic.  It were to be wished, that Christians would take example by this Heathen, to have received by the kind mediation and powerful interposition of their benefactors and deliverers; and it would be likewise happy for mankind, were there no occasion to blame many, who, instead of thankfully acknowledging favours and benefits, rather abuse and condemn those who have been the instruments to save them from destruction.

But, leaving these just reflections, I return to the object that occasioned them; for my man, to conclude the last ceremony of obedience, laid down his head again on the ground, close to my foot, and set my other foot upon is head, as he had done before, making all the signs of subjection, servitude, and submission imaginable, and let me understand he would serve me as long as his life endured.  As I understood him in many things, I made him sensible I was very well pleased with him; and, in a little time, I began to speak to him, and learn him to talk to me again.  In the first place, I made him understand his name was to be Friday, because it was upon that day I saved his life; then I taught him to say Master, which I made him sensible was to be my name.  I likewise taught him to say Yes and No, and to know what they meant.  I gave him some milk in an earthen pot, making him view me while I drank it before him, and soaked my bread in it; I gave him a cake of bread, and caused him to soak it likewise, to which he readily consented, making signs of the greatest satisfaction imaginable.

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The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.