Calico Illustrated Classics: The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
chapter 1 Out to Sea My name is Robinson Crusoe I was born in 1632 in the city of York Being the third son of the family I had no great hope of inheritance My father planned for me to study law I wanted to go to sea Don’t be foolish Father scolded when I brought up the subject The sea is for the very wealthy or the very poor The poor need to find fortune The wealthy seek fame But your life will be comfortable and steady Comfortable and steady seemed much like gloomy and dull to me I believe I can find greater happiness in adventure I suggested At this my father’s eyes filled with tears Do you not remember your brother He craved a 4
life of adventure and went to war Where is he now Would you go the same way How could I press my case against such concern I put all thoughts of the sea out of my mind for several weeks But I could not settle down I finally spoke to my mother hoping she might convince Father of my case Perhaps a short voyage I suggested If it turns to misery as Father predicts I will come home How could you think such a thing Mother demanded After the talk you had with your father we hoped such foolishness would have left you Clearly I had only one option I ran away Not immediately of course I moped and complained for nearly a year Then a friend suggested I travel with him by sea to London Without a word to my parents I boarded the boat On September 1 1651 we set sail for London Soon the wind blew heavily driving 5
waves against us The ship leaped and bucked like an angry horse My stomach leaped with it and I was most miserably sick I fell to my knees in my cabin and prayed that I would not die for disobeying my parents Throughout the storm I bargained begged and promised I would take up the law I would be a good and obedient son Then the sea calmed My stomach settled The smooth sea with the sun upon it delighted me And while I gazed upon the sea my friend walked up and clapped me on the back Did that capful of wind frighten you he asked A capful I cried It was a terrible storm That squall was nothing he laughed He must have noticed my doubtful face because he added with a grin Well tis charming weather now Let’s settle down and celebrate your survival And so we did In the merriment I forgot my vows I forgot the storm In the next five 6
