Calico Illustrated Classics: The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
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
or six days of good weather I committed myself completely to the sea I was certain that I would never regret my choice A few days later the sky darkened The wind blew hard I laughed in the face of the storm All hands gathered on deck to make everything snug as we rode the rough seas My stomach began to answer the roll of the sea I retired to my cabin sure I would soon see clear skies again Then I heard the ship’s master passing by my cabin door Have mercy on us he prayed Let us not be lost That begging did not ride well on my mind or my stomach I got up and stumbled out of my cabin The sea rose and broke upon us every few minutes We cut away our masts so that the wind might not push us over A voice cried out All hands to the pumps The ship had sprung a leak Though fear made me clumsy I followed the rest of the men and joined my strength to theirs 8
Suddenly a great boom rocked the ship I knew the storm had broken the ship in two I collapsed in a heap on the floor A man stepped calmly over my body and took my place at the pump Another boom rang out What is it I screamed The ship’s gun someone called The captain is signaling for help Finally the captain’s shots of distress were answered A lighter craft risked the dangerous sea to bring the crew safely to port Barely after leaving the ship we watched it sink Rowing to shore took the strength of every man but we made it Do you imagine I rushed home the moment my feet touched shore I pictured the knowing nods of my parents I could not bear to be the butt of jokes about my foolish choices 9
