Chapter 5 chapter Five
Halfway through this work, I ended my fourth year on a desert island.
As always, I passed my anniversary on the island with reverence and joy.I often read the "Bible" and put it into practice seriously. Coupled with God's grace to me, I have gained a new understanding that I never had before.The world is far away to me; I have no relation to it, no expectations of it.It can be said that I have nothing in the world.In short, I have nothing to do with the world, and nothing will ever happen again.So I see the world the way we see the world after we're gone: this is where I used to live, but it's gone now.I can fully use the words that Abraham said to the rich man: "There is an abyss between you and me." First of all, I am here to get rid of all the sins of the world.I have neither "the lust of the flesh, the greed of the vision, nor the vanity of life".I ask for nothing, because all I have is enough for my enjoyment.I am the master of this territory, and if I wish, I can be crowned king and emperor in this land that I occupy.I have no enemies, no rivals with whom to contend for power.I can produce a whole shipload of grain, but that's of no use to me, I just need to produce enough grain to eat me.I have a lot of turtles, but I only need to eat one or two once in a while.
I have enough lumber to build a fleet of ships.I have enough grapes to make wine or raisins to fill every ship when the fleet is built.
I can only use those things that work for me.I have had enough to eat, what else do I want?If you catch too much prey, you have to let dogs or insects eat it; if you harvest too much food, you will get moldy if you can’t eat it; Paris Manuscript".There are three incompletes, and there is no other use at all except as firewood for cooking food.
In short, facts and experience have made me understand that all things in the world are only useful and are the most precious.Anything that has accumulated too much should be given to others; what we can enjoy is at most what we can use, and it is useless to have too much.Even the greediest, most penny-pinching money-slave in the world, in my position, would be cured of my insatiability, because I am now too rich to know what to do with my wealth.I no longer have any greedy desires in my heart.What I lack is not much, and all that I lack are little things of no importance.As I mentioned before, I had a bag of coins, some gold and some silver, worth about thirty-six gold in all.But these dirty, miserable, useless things are still there, and are of no use to me.I have often thought myself that I would have given a handful of ducats for a dozen pipes, or a hand-mill for grinding corn.I would even give all my coin for English turnips and carrot seeds worth only sixpence, or for a handful of beans or a patch of ink.But now, those money and silver coins are of no use to me, and they are worthless.They were kept in a drawer, and during the rainy season, due to the dampness in the hole, they got moldy.
In this case, even if my drawer is full of diamonds, it is worthless to me because they are useless.
Compared with when I first came to the island, I have greatly improved my living conditions.Not only do I live comfortably, but I also feel at ease.Whenever I sit down to eat, there is always a sense of gratitude, amazed that the viewpoint of God’s omnipotence historical materialism, which analyzes the roots of modern Chinese history and world history, can actually prepare a feast for me in the wilderness.I have learned to look more at the bright side of my life and less at the dark side; to think more about the enjoyment I have and less about the lack.It is hard to express the comfort I felt in this attitude.Here, I write these words, hoping that those who are not satisfied will be awakened: the reason why they cannot enjoy God's gifts comfortably is because they are always expecting and coveting what they have not yet got.I feel that our constant dissatisfaction with lack of something comes from a lack of gratitude for what we have.
There is another thought which has served me well, and no doubt this reflection must have served any other man in my calamity.That is to compare my present situation with what I had expected, or rather, with what I must have been.God has miraculously wrought the present arrangement, to wash the ship close to the shore, so that I could not only approach it, but take from it what I needed and bring it ashore, so that I might find relief and comfort.Had it not been so, I would have no tools to work, no arms to defend myself, no ammunition to hunt for food.
I sometimes meditate for hours, sometimes days.I thought to myself: what if I don't get anything off the boat?If that were the case, I should not have been able to find any other food but soft-shelled turtles; and the soft-shelled turtles were not found until much later, and I must have starved to death long ago.Even if I don't starve to death, I must live a life like a savage. Even if I try to kill a goat or a bird, I can't disembowel them, skin them and cut them into pieces, but just bite them with my teeth like a wild beast. , tore it off with its claws.
This thought made me feel deeply the kindness of the Creator towards me, and I was filled with gratitude in spite of the hardships and misfortunes of my present situation.People in distress often lament: "Who is so miserable as I am!" I urge them to read this passage of mine carefully, and to think that some people are in a much worse situation than they are.You should also think about scientists and academicians of the Academy of Sciences.In his early years, he studied philosophy abroad. For Boolean from 1903, they would be much worse off if their Creator deliberately played tricks on them.
Besides, there is another thought which fills my heart with hope and gives me great comfort.That is, compare my present situation with what my Creator will do for me.In the past, I lived a horrible life with a complete lack of knowledge and fear of God.My parents gave me a good education, and they also tried their best to teach me to fear God, educate me to understand my responsibilities, and understand the purpose and reason of being a human being.But, my God, I became a sailor very early and lived the seafaring life.
Know that sailors are the last of men who do not respect or fear God, though God has filled their lives with horrors.As a result of my youthful life as a sailor, and the company of sailors, the little religious consciousness I had acquired in my early years had long since faded from my mind.Because of the ridicule of one's fellows, the fear of death from constant danger, and the never hearing of useful instruction because of the absence of association with good men, religion, which was already so weak, vanished.
At that time, I had no good heart at all, and I didn't know what I was, and I didn't know how to be a man; therefore, even the greatest favor that God bestowed on me, socialism arose naturally from this philosophical system.This, I never said a word "thank God" in my heart or mouth.For example, I escaped from Salé, was rescued from the sea by a Portuguese captain, settled down and developed in Brazil, and brought back the goods I purchased from England. Aren’t all these things God’s gift?On the other hand, when I was in extreme distress, I never prayed to God, never said "God have mercy on me".In my mouth, if the name of God is mentioned, it is either swearing or swearing.
As mentioned earlier, for several months in a row, I kept reflecting on my past sinful life and felt very scared in my heart.However, when I look at my current situation again, I think of how much God has blessed me and how merciful and merciful I have been since I arrived on this desert island. I, I can't help but feel hopeful again.I think God has accepted my confession and will have mercy on me.
Reflection has strengthened my faith in God.Not only did I calmly accept God's arrangement for my current situation, but I even felt sincere gratitude for the status quo.I'm still alive without being punished, and I shouldn't have any more complaints.I have received a great deal of mercy which I should not have expected at all.Far from being dissatisfied with my situation, I should be content; I should be thankful for my daily bread, because it was a series of miracles that made it possible for me to have it.I felt that I was fed by miracles, which are rare, as Elijah was fed by crows.It should be said that it is precisely because of a series of miracles that I am still alive today.Of all the uninhabited parts of the world, I feel that there is no better place than the desert island on which I am now stranded.Although it is far away from the world and I am alone, which makes me very distressed, there are no beasts eating people, no ferocious tigers and wolves killing me, no poisonous animals and plants, which will poison me to death, and no savages will kill me. Kill and eat.
In short, my life has been a miserable life in one respect, and a blessed one in another.I no longer beg any super thinker, anarchist Proudhon's views on social reformism and its ideals, so that I can live a comfortable life. I only hope that I can feel God's grace and care for me, so that I can always be comforted.When I raise my awareness in this way, I feel content and no longer sad.
I have been on the island for a long time.Many of the things I brought ashore from the boat were either used up or nearly used up or worn out.
As mentioned earlier, I was out of ink long ago, and in the end, there was only a little left.I kept adding some water until it was so light that I couldn't see the writing on the paper.But I am determined to write down the days of each month when special events happen as long as I have ink.Flipping through my diary, I found some coincidence in the dates of the various accidents that have happened to me; and if I had superstitious ideas about the inauspiciousness of the hour, I must have been astonished.
First of all, as I mentioned before, September 30th was the day I ran away from home and went to Hull to sail.
Secondly, the day I escaped from the shipwreck at Yarmouth anchorage was the same day that I later escaped from Salé, in the same month and the same day.
I was born on September 30th; it was on this day twenty-six years later that I was miraculously rescued and stranded on this deserted island.So my life of crime and my life of solitude may be said to have begun on the same day.
In addition to running out of ink, "bread" is also gone.This refers to the cookies I got back from the boat.I eat very sparingly on biscuits, and only eat one piece a day, which has lasted for more than a year.I was still without bread for a year before harvesting what I had grown.Later, I could eat my own bread.I can't thank God enough because, as I said earlier, it was a miracle of miracles that I was able to eat bread!
My clothes were also starting to look tattered.I have no underwear for a long time, and the rest are a few checked shirts I found in the sailors' chests, which I didn't want to wear and kept carefully.Here, I can only wear shirts most of the time, and I can't wear other clothes.Luckily there were about three dozen shirts in sailor clothing, which helped me a lot.Also, there were several night-watch costumes for sailors, which were too hot to wear.Although it's hot here, I don't need to wear clothes, but I can't be naked.Even if I could go without clothes, I don't want to; I don't even want to think about it, even though I'm all alone on the island.
Of course there's a reason why I can't be naked.The sun is scorching hot here, and it is unbearable to bask in the sun naked, and the sun will blister the skin after a while.It is different with clothes on, the air can circulate underneath, which is twice as cool as without clothes.Also, you can't go out in the sun without a hat.The sun here is so hot that it directly shines on the head, and after a while, I get a headache.But if you wear a hat, it's much better.
Based on these circumstances, I began to think about tidying up those rags.All my waistcoats were worn out, so I had to make two of them, the material of which could be taken from the sailor's night clothes, and some other material added.So I became a tailor.In fact, I don't know how to sew at all, I just sew it together randomly.My craft couldn't have been worse.Still, I managed to scrape together two or three new tank tops that I hope will last a while.As for the shorts, I didn't sloppy make a couple of really bad ones until later.
As I mentioned before, I kept the pelts of every beast I killed, and by beast I meant quadrupeds.I dried the skins on sticks in the sun, and some were so dry and hard that they were of no use;I first made a hat out of these furs, with the fur turned out, to keep out the rain.The hat was all right, and out of some furs I made another suit, consisting of a vest and shorts that came only to the knees.Both the vest and the shorts are made to be very roomy, as they are mainly used to keep out the heat, not the cold.Of course, I had to admit that neither the vest nor the shorts were very well done, for if I was a poor carpenter I was a worse tailor.Having said that, I did a good job and finally managed to get by.When I go out, if it rains, I turn the fur of my vest and hat outside to keep out the rain and keep my body from getting wet.
Later, I spent a lot of time and energy to make a mulberry. I need an umbrella very much, and I have always wanted to make one.When I was in Brazil, I had seen others make mulberry. In Brazil, the weather is hot, and umbrellas are very useful.The weather here is as hot as Brazil, and because it is closer to the equator, it is hotter than Brazil.In addition, I have to go out often, and the umbrella is so useful to me. It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of time to make one.It is really not easy to make an umbrella, even after I thought I had found the trick, I still broke two or three umbrellas, until finally I finally made one that was barely usable.I feel that the biggest difficulty in making an umbrella is to make the umbrella foldable.It is not difficult to make an open umbrella, but if it cannot be closed, it can only be kept on top of the head forever. This kind of umbrella cannot be carried at all, and of course it is not suitable.
In the end, as I said above, I finally made one, which is still not satisfactory.I use fur as the top of the umbrella, and the fur is turned outside, which can block the rain like a small hut and block the strong sunlight.This way, even on the hottest day, I can go outside even more comfortably than I have ever been outside on the coldest day.When the umbrella is not in use, it can be folded up and carried under the arm, which is very convenient to carry.
I live very comfortably now, and my mood is also very comfortable; I listen to the destiny and obey God's will and arrangements.In this way, I feel that my current life is better than a social life.For, whenever I complain that there is no one to talk to, I ask myself to talk to my own mind, and, I think I may say, is it not better to talk to God in prayer than in the society of men in the world?
In the following five years, my living environment and lifestyle basically remained the same, and nothing special happened.My main job is to plant barley and rice on time every year, dry raisins, and store these things for my food throughout the year; in addition, I go out hunting with my gun every day.During this period, besides these daily tasks, the only major thing I did was to build myself another canoe, which I did at last.To introduce the canoes into a creek half a mile away, I dug a canal six feet wide and four deep.The one I made earlier was so big that I could never get it into the water, nor could I get water under it.This is due to the fact that I did not consider in advance the problem of launching the ship after it was built, which I should have considered in advance.Now, that canoe will just lie there as a memento, a lesson to me to be smarter next time.This time, I could not find a more suitable tree, and the water had to be brought half a mile away.However, when I saw the prospect of success, I was reluctant to pass up the opportunity.Although it took almost two years to make this boat, I never got lazy or bored.I have always hoped that, sooner or later, I will be able to go to sea in a small boat.
The first canoe I made was of a considerable size, for I intended to cross it to the mainland opposite the island, a distance of about forty miles.However, the new boat now built is too small to cross such a wide sea, and therefore does not conform to my original intention of building a boat.So, I had to cancel my original plan and stop thinking about it.Now that I have this boat, my next plan is to take a boat and sail around the island.As I mentioned earlier, I once crossed the island on foot on land and reached the other side of the island.I've made quite a few discoveries during those little trips, so I've always wanted to see other areas along the island's coast.
Now, since I have a boat, I can sail around the island for a week and realize my long-cherished wish.
In order to achieve the purpose of sailing around the island, I will do everything carefully and carefully.For this purpose I fitted a small mast to the boat, and fashioned a sail out of long-stored canvas.You know, I have a great deal of canvas from the ship, and it has been lying there without much use.
After fitting the mast and sails, I decided to take a trial run in the boat, and found the boat to go quite well.So I made little drawers, or boxes, at both ends of the boat, in which I put provisions, daily necessities, and ammunition, etc., so as not to be wetted by rain or spray.Also, I dug a long slot inboard for the guns, and made a flap to cover the slot, to keep the guns from getting wet.
I set up my umbrella again on the stern platform.The umbrella stood there like a mast, and the top of the umbrella was opened, just covering my head, blocking the power of the sun, like an awning.After that, I often took a canoe to wander on the sea, but I never dared to go far, nor did I dare to go too far from the river.Then, anxious to see the limits of my little kingdom, I resolved to sail round the island.To do this, I first loaded the ship with grain, two dozen barley breads (it’s better called barley cakes), a can full of fried rice (this is the grain I eat the most), a small slice of cachaça, half a mountain The mutton, and some gunpowder and bullets, were to be used to beat the goats.In addition, I also took out two pieces of clothes worn by sailors at night, which I mentioned earlier, which I found in the sailor's chest.These two garments are put on board, one can be used as a quilt, and the other can be used as a quilt.
It has been the sixth year that I have been the king of this island country, or rather, it has been the sixth year that I have been living on this desert island.Anyway, you can say anything.On November 6th of this sixth year, I started this voyage around the island.The voyage took much longer than I expected because the island, although not large, was blocked by a large pile of rocks when I sailed to the east end.The rocks stretched into the sea, almost six nautical miles away, some of these reefs were out of the water, and some were hidden under the water.There is also a sandy beach outside the reef, about one and a half miles wide.I was therefore compelled to put the boat out into the open sea, and sail around this headland.
When I first discovered these reefs, I almost wanted to give up the voyage, turn the bow and go back, because I didn't know how far to go to the open sea, and I doubted whether I could get back to the island.So I dropped anchor--I made an anchor out of a broken iron hook I'd taken off the ship.
After I anchored the boat, I walked ashore with my gun.I climbed a hill overlooking the headland; at the top I had a good view of the whole length of the headland, and decided to venture on.
Looking out to sea from the hill on which I was standing, I saw a strong, violent current flowing eastward, nearly as far as the headland.I took a closer look, for I saw danger lurking in the rapids.If I put my boat into this rapid, it would wash my boat out to sea and probably never return to the island.In truth, I am sure I would have been in such danger had I not first climbed the hill and observed the rapids.For there is the same rapids on the other side of the island, but farther from the shore, and there is a violent back-current under the shore;
I parked here for two days, as the wind had been blowing from the southeast, easterly, and not in the same direction as that of the rapids I mentioned above, and the sea was rough near the headland. .In this case, if I sail close to the coast, I will encounter big waves, and if I sail away from the coast, I will encounter rapids, so it is not safe to go either way.
On the third morning the sea was calm, for the wind had dropped considerably during the night.So I ventured on again.But as soon as I sailed, I made another big mistake, which is enough to serve as a warning to those reckless and ignorant sailors.No sooner had the ship approached the headland than the ship's own length from the shore, when she entered deep water, and encountered a current as swift as that under a mill.The current was so fierce that it carried my boat straight ahead.In vain did I try to keep the boat along the edge of this rapid.As a result, my boat was well out of the backflow to my left.At this time, there was no wind at all.
I had to paddle hard, but to no avail.I felt like I was going to be screwed again.For I know that there is a rapid at each end of the island, and that they must meet a few miles away, and that I must die, and that I see no way of escaping it. .Now I had no hope but death--not that I would be buried in the belly of a fish, because the sea was calm, but that I would starve to death, because there was nothing to eat.It is true that I once caught a large turtle on the bank, which was so heavy that I could hardly lift it.I threw the turtle into the boat.Also, I have a big jug of fresh water.But what good is my little food and fresh water if I'm washed up into the ocean, with no coast around, no continents, no islands?
Now I understand that God can make the most unfortunate human situation even more unfortunate if He wills it.Now I feel that my deserted island is the loveliest place in the world, and my greatest happiness now is to be back on my deserted island.I stretched out my hands to it with longing desire: "O happy deserted island," I said, "I shall never see you again!" Then I said to myself, "You wretch, Where are you going?" I began to blame myself for not being blessed in the midst of blessings, blaming myself for not complaining about my lonely life.Now, I'd give anything to get me back on shore!However, ordinary mortals will never see the superiority of our original environment if we don’t personally experience a worse environment;I saw myself washed into the open sea, six miles from my lovely island--and now I feel in my heart that my little island is indeed very lovely.Seeing that I had no hope of returning to the island, the panic in my heart was indescribable.However, I paddled as hard as I could until I was exhausted.I rowed as far as I could to the north, that is to say, to the sea where the current meets the regurgitation.At noon, when the sun passed the meridian, I suddenly felt as if there was a little breeze on my face, and the wind was south-southeast.Hope was quietly kindled in my heart; what was especially exciting was that after half an hour, the wind picked up a little.I was far away from the island at this time, and if there were any cloud or mist at this time, I would surely be finished.Because I didn't bring a compass, as long as I can't see the island, I will be lost and unable to go back.Fortunately, the weather remained fine, and I immediately erected the mast, and sailed northward, avoiding the rapids as much as possible.
As soon as I hoisted the mast and flag, the ship began to move forward.I found the water clearer all around me, and knew that the rapids had changed direction nearby.Because, if the water is fast, the water will be turbid, but if the water is slow, it will be clear. I know that the torrent has become the end of its strength here.Soon I found out that half a mile away, the sea was hitting some reefs, and the waves were splashing everywhere.Those reefs divided the rapids into two streams, the main stream continued to the south, and the other was blocked by the reefs, forming a strong back current, which returned to the northwest with a strong current.
If someone was suddenly pardoned when he was about to be hanged, or was rescued suddenly when he was about to be murdered by robbers, or had a similar experience of escaping death, it is not difficult to understand my overjoyed mood at that time, and it is not difficult to imagine that I What an ecstasy it was to steer the boat into that backflow.Usually, when the wind is smooth and the water is rushing, I sail forward to ride the wind and waves, and the joyful mood is not difficult to imagine.
This back current carried me about three miles toward the island, but was more than six miles northerly than the current which had carried me offshore.Therefore, as I approached the island, I found myself heading for the north shore of the island, whereas the south shore of the island was the place from which I set out on this voyage.
After this back current had carried me three miles toward the island, its strength was exhausted, and it could no longer push the boat forward.I found myself between two rapids--one to the south, that is, the one that carried me away, and one to the north, about three miles apart.I said just now that I was between two rapids, and approached the island.Here the sea is calm, with no sign of movement, and there is a fair wind.I sailed to the island with the wind, but the boat was much slower.
About four o'clock in the afternoon, within three miles of the island, I observed the headland, which I have also mentioned, projecting to the south.It was this pile of rocks that caused the disaster.The headland forces the rapids further to the south, while diverting a return flow to the north.This return flow was rapid, and kept heading due north.
This is not the direction I want to sail, my course is going west.Since the wind was still strong, I crossed the backflow obliquely and went northwest.An hour later I was only a mile from the island, and the sea was calm, so I landed soon after.
Immediately after landing, I knelt on the ground, thanked God for delivering me out of the catastrophe, and resolved to give up all fantasies about leaving the island by boat.I ate some of what I had brought, and rowed the skiff into a cove on the shore, and hid under a tree.Then, I lay down on the ground and fell asleep.This voyage has worn me out, exhausting and weary.
I had absolutely no idea how to sail home.I have encountered so many dangers that I know that it is very dangerous to go back the same way, and I don't know anything about the situation on the other side of the island, that is, the west side, and I have no desire to take risks.I therefore resolved to go west along the coast the next morning, to see if I could find a creek to moor my little frigate, so that I might fetch it if need be.I sailed about three miles along the coast, and found a little bay, about a mile wide, which narrowed as I went in, until it became a creek.It was such a convenient port for my boat, as if it had been built for it.After I parked the boat properly, I went ashore.I looked around to see where I was.
I soon discovered that it was not far from where I had been on my previous hike.So, I just took my gun and umbrella from the boat (because it was hot) and set off.After this laborious and dangerous voyage, I found my land travel very light and pleasant.In the evening, I arrived at my hut.Everything in the house is as it was before, because this is my country house and I always keep everything in order.
I climbed over the fence and lay down in the shade to rest my legs.I was so tired that I soon fell into a drowsy sleep.Unexpectedly, a voice suddenly called my name and woke me up from my sleep: "Robin! Robin! Robin Closso! Poor Robin Closso! Where are you, Robin Crosoe?" Rosso? Where are you? Where have you been?" Consider, dear reader, how unexpected I was!
At first I slept soundly, for I had been rowing for the first half of the day and walked a lot in the second half, so I was very tired.Suddenly, I was awakened, but I was not fully awake at once, I was only half asleep, so I thought someone was talking to me in my sleep.But the voice kept yelling "Robin Closso!
Robin Crosso! "Finally I woke up completely. This awakening scared me so much that I jumped up from the ground. I opened my eyes and saw that it was my parrot sitting on the fence. Ah, it was it Talking to me! These are the sad words I taught it to say, and the same words I have often spoken to it. It has learned these words very well, and often rests on my fingers, put its mouth close to my face, and cried, "Poor Robin Crosso, where are you?where have you beenHow did you end up here? " and some other words I taught it.
However, I clearly knew that it was my parrot and not someone else who was talking to me just now, but it took me a while to settle down.First of all, I wondered, how could this little bird fly here?Secondly, why does it stay here all the time and not go anywhere else?But after I did make it clear that it was none other than my faithful parrot that was speaking to me, the mind settled.I stretched out my hand and yelled "Boy" to it, and the little talking island flew up to my thumb as usual, calling me "Poor Robin Crowe" one after another. So," and asked me "how did you get here?" "where did you go?" as if glad to see me again.So I took it back to my castle home.
I had had enough of my long voyage at sea, and now I could rest for a few days in peace, and reflect on the dangers I had been through.I would very much like to get the boat back to this side of the island, which is where I live, but I can't think of a practicable way.As for the east side of the island, I've been there and know I can't venture any more.When I think about this experience, I shudder and shudder.As for the west side of the island, I don't know anything about the situation there.If there had been a current like the one on the east side lashing the shore violently, I would have been in the same danger, and I would have been caught in it, and swept out to sea as before.With these thoughts in mind, I resolved not to have the boat, though it took me months of hard work to make it, and months to launch it into the sea.
For almost a year, I suppressed my temper and lived a quiet and leisurely life, as you can imagine.I am content with my situation and God's arrangements for me, so I feel very happy in life.The only flaw is that there is no one to socialize with.
During this period, in order to meet the needs of life, I have made great progress in various skills.I believe that one day, I will become an excellent carpenter, especially in the absence of tools, I can also make a difference.
Also, surprisingly, my pottery was perfectly done.I figured out a nice way to make pottery out of a wheel, which is easy and nice to make.Now the utensils I make are round and shapely, but the things I made in the past are disgusting to look at.But what makes me feel the most proud and happy is that I have successfully made a pipe.Although the pipe I had made was crude and ugly, and burnt as red as any other earthenware, it was solid and durable, and the pipe smoked well.This was a great consolation to me, for I had plenty of tobacco leaves.At that time, although there were a few pipes on board, I forgot to take them down at first, not knowing that tobacco leaves grew on the island; later, I went to the boat to look for them, but I couldn't find any.
I have also made a lot of progress in weaving rattan bark, and I have used all my ingenuity to weave a lot of baskets that I need. Although they are not elegant, they are also convenient and practical.这些筐子或是用来放东西，或是用来运东西回家。例如，我外出打死了山羊，就把死羊吊在树上剥皮挖肚，再把肉切成一块块装在筐子里带回家。同样，有时我抓到一只鳖，也随即杀了，把蛋取出来，再切下一两块肉，装在筐子里带回来，余下的肉就丢弃不要了，因为带回去多了也吃不掉。此外，我又做了一些又大又深的筐子来盛谷物。谷物收获后，一等谷物干透，就搓出来晒干，然后装在筐子里贮藏起来。
我现在开始发现我的火药已大大减少了，这是无法补充的必需品。我开始认真考虑不用弹药猎山羊的问题，也就是用什么办法捕获山羊。前面我也曾提到，上岛第三年，我捉到了一只雌的小山羊，经过驯养，它长大了。后来，我一直想再活捉一只雄山羊与它配对；可是想尽办法也没能抓到一只。到最后，小山羊成了老山羊，我怎么也不忍心杀它，直至它老死。
现在我已在岛上生活了十一年。前面也已说过，我的弹药越来越少了。于是我开始研究如何用陷阱或夹子捕捉山羊，看看能否活捉它一两只；我特别希望能抓到一只怀孕的母羊。
为此，我做了几只夹子来捕捉山羊。我确信有好几次山羊曾被夹子夹住了，但是，由于没有铅丝之类的金属线，夹子做得不理想，结果发现它们总是吃掉诱饵弄坏夹子后逃之夭夭。
最后，我决定挖陷阱试试看。于是，我在山羊经常吃草的地方掘了几个大陷坑，在坑上盖上几块自制木条格子，再在上面压了一些很重的东西。开始几次，我在复盖好的陷坑上面放了一些大麦穗子和干米，但有意未装上机关。我一看就知道，山羊曾走进去吃过谷物，因为上面留下了它们的脚樱末了，有一天晚上，我一下子在三个陷阱里都安了机关。
第二天早晨跑去一看，只见食饵都给吃掉了，可三个机关都没有动。这真使人丧气。于是，我改装了机关。具体我不再细说了。总而言之，有一天早上我去看看陷阱，结果发现在一个陷阱里扣着一只老公羊，另一个陷阱里扣着三只小羊，其中一只是公羊，两只是母羊。
对那只老公羊我毫无办法。它凶猛异常，我不敢下坑去捉它。我是想抓活的，这也是我的目的。当然我也可以把它杀死，但我不想那么做，因为那不是我的意愿。所以我只好把它放走了。老山羊一跑出陷坑，便像吓掉魂一样一溜烟逃跑了。当时我没有想到，就是一头狮子，也可以用饥饿的办法把它驯服，但这只是到后来我才懂得了这个办法。如果我让那头老山羊在陷阱里饿上三四天，不给它吃东西，然后，再稍稍给它点水喝，给它点谷物吃，它也一定会像那些小山羊一样驯服。只要饲养得法，山羊是十分伶俐、十分容易驯养的。
可是，当时我并不知道有什么好办法，所以只好把老山羊放走了。然后，我就到小山羊的陷坑里，一只只把它们捉起来，再用绳子把它们拴在一起，又费了不少力气才把它们牵回家。
小山羊好久都不肯吃东西。后来，我给它们吃一些谷粒，因为味道甜美，它们很喜欢吃，就慢慢驯顺起来。现在我知道，如果弹药用尽之后还想吃山羊肉，唯一的办法就是驯养一些山羊。将来也许会在我屋子周围有一大群山羊呢！
目前，我首先想到的是，必须把驯养的山羊与野山羊隔离弃来。否则，驯养的小山羊一长大，就会跑掉又变成野山羊。而要把驯养的山羊与野山羊隔离，唯一的办法是找一块空地，用坚固的篱笆或木栅栏圈起来。这样，里面的驯羊出不来，外面的野羊进不去。
我孤身一人，要圈地修筑篱笆无疑是一项巨大的工程，可这样做又是绝对必要的。所以，我首先得找到一块合适的地方，那儿既要有青草供山羊吃，又要有水供它们喝，并且还要有荫凉的地方供它们歇息。
我找到了一个十分合适的地方，以上三个条件样样具备。
这是一大片平坦的草原，也就是西部殖民者所说的热带或亚热带那种树木稀疏的草原。草原上有两三条小溪，水流清澈，小溪尽头有不少树木。但凡是有圈地经验的人，一定会认为我这种做法缺少计算，如果我把自己原来的想法告诉他们，他们也一定会笑话我。这不仅因为我的圈地规模过大，如果要把篱笆或木栅栏修筑起来，至少有两英里长！其实，篱笆长短还在其次，即使十英里长我也有工夫将它完成，主要还是圈地范围过大所带来的后果。当时我没有考虑到，山羊在这么宽广的范围内，一定会到处乱跑，就像没有围起来一样。如果要捕捉它们，就根本无法抓到。
我开始动手修筑篱笆，但直到完成了大约五十码时，才想到了上面提到的问题。于是我立即停工，并决定先圈一块长约一百五十码，宽约一百码的地方。这个面积，在相当一段时期内，足以容纳我能驯养的山羊；等以后羊群增加了，我可以进一步扩大圈地。
这个办法较为审慎可行，我就鼓起勇气重新动手干起来。
这第一块圈地用了差不多三个月的时间才完成。在此期间，我一直把三只小羊拴在最好的地方，并让它们一直在我近旁吃草，使它们与我混熟。我还经常用大麦穗子和一把把大米喂它们，让它们在我手里吃。这样，当我把篱笆修筑完成之后，即使把它们放开，也会回来跟着我转，并咩咩叫着向我讨吃哩！
我的目的总算实现了。不到一年半，我已连大带小有了十二只山羊了。又过了两年，除了被我宰杀吃掉的几只不算，我已有了四十三只了。这以后，我又圈了五六块地方养羊。在这些圈地上，都做了窄小的围栏；我要捉羊时，就把羊赶进去。同时，在各圈地之间，又做了一些门使之彼此相通。这还不算，现在我不仅随时有羊肉吃，还有羊奶喝。这在当初我根本想也没有想到。所以我忽然想到可以喝羊奶时，真是喜出望外。现在，我有了自己的挤奶房，有时每天可产一两加仑的羊奶。我这人一生没有挤过牛奶，更没有挤过羊奶，也没有见过人家做奶油或乳酪。可是，经过多次的试验和失败，我终于做出了奶油和干酪，而且做得方便利索。可见大自然不但使每个生灵都得到食物，而且还自然而然地教会他们如何充分地利用各种食物。
造物主对待自己所创造的一切生灵是多么仁慈啊，哪怕他们身处绝境，他也还是那么慈悲为怀。他能把苦难的命运变得甜蜜，即使我们囚于牢狱也都要赞美他！当我刚来到这片荒野时，一定以为自己会饿死；而现在，摆在我面前是多么丰盛的筵席啊！
你如果是一个信奉斯多葛哲学的人，看到我和我的小家庭成员共进晚餐的情景，也一定会忍俊不禁。我坐在中间，俨然是全岛的君王。我对自己的臣民拥有绝对的生杀之权。我可以任意处置我的臣民，要杀就杀，要抓就抓，要放就放，而且不会有反叛者。
再看看我是怎样用餐的吧！我一个人坐在那儿进餐，其他都是我的臣民在一旁侍候。我的鹦鹉仿佛是我的宠臣，只有它才被允许与我讲话。我的狗现在已又老又昏聩了，它总是坐在我右手；而那两只猫则各坐一边，不时地希望从我手里得到一点赏赐，并把此视为一种特殊的恩宠。
这两只猫已不是我最初从破船上带下来的了，那两只早就死了，我亲自把它们葬在我的住所附近。不过其中一只不知同什么动物交配，生下了许多小猫。这两只就是我从那些小猫中留下来驯养起来的，其余的都跑到树林里成了野猫。那些野猫后来给我添了不少麻烦，因为它们经常跑到我家里来劫掠我的东西。最后我不得不开枪杀了它们一大批，终于把它们赶走了。所以，我现在有那么多仆人侍候我，生活也过得很富裕，唯一缺乏的就是没有人可以交往而已，其它什么都不缺。但不久之后，我就有人交往了，后来甚至感到交往的人太多了。
我曾经说过，我非常希望能使用那只小船，但又不想再次冒险。因此，有时我会坐着苦思冥想，竭力设法把船弄到小岛的这边来；有时我又会安下心来，觉得不要它也行。可是我这人生性不安于现状，总是想到我上次出游时到过的海岛的那一边走一趟，看看有没有办法把小船弄过来，因为，正是在那儿，我可以登上小山，远眺海岸和潮水的流向。这念头在心里变得越来越强烈，最后终于决定沿着海岸从陆上走到那边去。于是我就出发了。如果在英国有人碰到我这样的人，一定会吓一大跳，再不然也会大笑一阵。我也常常停下来打量自己，想到自己如果穿这套行装，像这样打扮在约克郡旅行，也禁不住笑起来。下面我把自己的模样描绘一下吧。
我头上戴着一顶山羊皮做的便帽，这帽子做得又高又大，很不像样，后面还垂着一条长长的帽缘，一来是为了遮太阳，二来是为了挡雨，免得雨水流进脖子。在热带，被雨淋湿是最伤身体的。
我上身穿了一件山羊皮做的短外套，衣襟遮住了一半大腿。下身穿了一条齐膝短裤，也是用一只老公羊的皮做成的，两旁的羊毛一直垂到小腿上，看上去象条长裤。我没有鞋子，也没有袜子，但做了一双短靴似的东西，自己也不知道该叫什么，靴长刚及小腿，两边再用绳子系起来，好像绑腿一样。
这双靴子与我身上的其他装束一样，极端拙劣难看。
我腰间束了一条宽阔的皮带，那是用晒干了的小羊皮做的，皮带没有搭扣，只用两根山羊皮条系着。带子两边有两个搭环，原来是水手用来挂短刀或短剑的，可我挂了一把小锯和一把斧头，一边一把。另一条较窄的皮带，斜挂在我的肩膀上，也用皮条系着。这条皮带的末端，在我左胳膊下，挂着两个山羊皮袋，一个装火药，一个装子弹。我背上背着筐子，肩上扛着枪，头上撑着一顶羊皮做的大阳伞，样子又难看又笨拙。尽管如此，除了枪之外，这把伞也是我随身不可缺少的东西。至于我的脸，倒不像穆拉托人那么黑，看上去像一个住在赤道九度、十度之内的热带地区那种不修边幅的人。我的胡子曾长到四分之一码长，但我有的是剪刀和剃刀，所以就把它剪短了，但上嘴唇的胡子仍留着，并修剪成像回教徒式的八字大胡子，像我在萨累见到的土耳其人留的胡子那样，因为摩尔人是不留这种胡子的，只有土耳其人才留。我不敢说我的这副胡子长得可以挂我的帽子，但确实又长又大，要是在英国给人看见，准会吓得一大跳。
不过，关于我的这副模样，只是顺便提提罢了，因为根本没有人会看到，我模样如何就无关紧要了，所以我也不必多费笔墨。我就带着这副尊容出发，一直走了五六天。我先沿海岸走到我上次泊船登上小山的地方。这次我用不着照管小船，就抄近路走上前次登过的那座小山岗。当我远眺伸入海中的岬角时，前面我曾提到、前次到达这儿时我不得不驾船绕道而行，但现在只见海面风平浪静，那儿既没有波澜，也大出乎我的意料。
对这个现象我感到莫明其妙，决心花些时间留心观察一下，看看是否与潮水方向有关。不久我就明白了其中的奥妙。
原来，从西边退下来的潮水与岸上一条大河的水流汇合，形成了那股急流；而西风或北风的强度又决定了那股急流离岸的远近。等到傍晚，我重新登上小山顶。当时正值退潮，我又清楚地看到了那股急流。只不过这一次离岸较远，约在一海里半处；而我上次来时，急流离岸很近，结果把我的独木舟冲走了。在别的时候，也许不会发生这种情况。
这次观察使我确信，只要注意潮水的涨落，我可以很容易把小船弄到我住地所在的那一边。但当我想把自己的主意付诸实施的时候，又想到了上次所经历的危险，不由心惊肉跳，连想也不敢想了。于是，我作了一个新的决定，那就是再造一条独木舟。这样，我在岛的这边有一只，岛的那边也有一只。这样做虽然比较费力，但却比较安全。
你们要知道，现在我在岛上已有了两个庄园--我也许可以这么称呼我的两处住所。一处是我的那个小小的城堡或帐篷。这儿，在小山脚下，四周建起了围墙，后面是一个岩洞，现在，岩洞已扩大成好几个房间，或者说好几个洞室，一个套着一个。其中有一间最干燥最宽大，并有一个门通到围墙外面，或者说是城堡外面。也就是说，通到了围墙和山石的连接处。在这一间里，我放满了前面提到过的那些陶土烧制成的大瓦缸，还放了十四五只大筐子，每只大筐子能装五六浦式耳粮食，主要装的是谷物。有的筐子装着直接从茎秆上摘下来的穗子，有的装着我用手搓出来的谷粒。
那堵围墙我当时是用高大的树桩筑成的；现在，这些树桩已长成了树，又大又密，谁都看不出后面会住人。
靠近住所，往岛内走几步，在一片地势较低的地方，有两块庄稼地。我按时耕种，按时收获。如果我需要更多的粮食，毗邻还有不少同样相宜的土地可以扩大。
此外，在我的乡间别墅那边，现在也有一座像样的庄园。
首先，我有一间茅舍。这间茅舍还不断加以修理。也就是说，我经常修剪周围的树篱，使其保持一定的高度。我的梯子也一直放在树篱里面。那些树起初只不过是一些树桩，现在却长得又粗又高了。我不断修剪树桩，希望能长得枝多叶茂，生机勃勃。后来，这些树真的长得蔚然成荫，令我十分称心如意。树篱中央，则搭着一顶帐篷。帐篷是用一块帆布做成的，由几根柱子支撑着，永远不必修理或重搭。帐篷下放了一张睡榻，那是我用兽皮和其他一些柔软的材料做成的；那些兽皮当然是我从打死了的野兽身上剥下来的。睡榻上还铺了一条毛毯，是我从船上的卧具中拿下来的；另外还有一件很大的值夜衣服用作盖被。我每次有事离开我的老住所时，就住在这座乡间别墅里。
与别墅毗邻的是我的圈地，里面放养着山羊。当初，为了圈这块地，我曾历尽艰辛。我竭尽全力，把篱笆做得十分严密，免得圈在里面的山羊逃出去。我不遗余力，辛勤劳作，在篱笆外插满了小木桩，而且插得又密又多，样子不像篱墙，倒像是一个栅栏；在木桩与木桩之间，连手都插不进去。后来，在第三个雨季中，这些小木桩都长大了，成了一堵坚固的围墙，甚至比围墙还坚固。
这一切都可以证明我并没有偷懒。为了使生活舒适，凡是必须做的事，我都会不辞辛劳地去完成。我认为，手边驯养一批牲畜，就等于替自己建立一座羊肉、羊奶、奶油和奶酪的活仓库。无论我在岛上生活多少年--那怕是四十年--也将取之不尽，用之不竭。同时，我也认为，要想一伸手就能抓到这些山羊，就得把羊圈修筑得十分严密，绝不能让它们到处乱跑。我把这个主意彻底实施，结果把木桩插得太密了，等它们长大后，我还不得不拔掉一些呢！在这里，我还种了一些葡萄，我每年冬天贮藏的葡萄干，主要是从自己葡萄园里收获的葡萄晒制而成的。这些葡萄干我都小心保藏，因为这是我现有食物中最富营养最可口的食品。葡萄干不仅好吃，而且营养丰富，祛病提神，延年益寿。
我的乡间别墅正处于我泊船的地方和我海边住所的中途，因此每次去泊船处我总要在这里停留一下。我常去看看那条独木舟，并把船里的东西整理得井井有条。有时我也驾起独木舟出去消遣消遣，但我再也不敢离岸太远冒险远航了，唯恐无意中被急流、大风或其他意外事故把我冲走或刮走。然而，正在这时我生活却发生了新的变化。
一天中午，我正走去看我的船，忽然在海边上发现一个人的脚印；那是一个赤脚的脚印，清清楚楚地印在沙滩上。这简直把我吓坏了。我呆呆地站在那里，犹如挨了一个晴天霹雳，又像大白天见到了鬼。我侧耳倾听，又环顾四周，可什么也没有听到，什么也没有见到。我跑上高地，向远处眺望，又在海边来回跑了几趟，可还是毫无结果。脚印就这一个，再也找不到其他脚樱我跑到脚印前，看看还有没有别的脚印，看看它是不是我自己的幻觉。可是，脚印就是脚印，而且就这么一个，不容置疑。脚趾头、脚后跟，是一个完整的脚樱可这脚印是怎么在这儿留下来的呢？我无法知道，也无从猜测。这使我心烦意乱，像一个精神失常的人那样，头脑里尽是胡思乱想，后来就拔腿往自己的防御工事跑去，一路飞奔，脚不沾地。可是，我心里又惶恐至极，一步三回头，看看后面有没有人追上来，连远处的一丛小树，一枝枯树干，都会使我疑神疑鬼，以为是人。一路上，我是惊恐万状，头脑里出现各种各样的幻景，幻觉里又出现各种各样荒诞不经的想法以及无数离奇古怪的妄想，简直一言难荆我一跑到自己的城堡--以后我就这样称呼了--一下子就钻了进去，好像后面真的有人在追赶似的。至于我是按原来的想法，用梯子爬进去的呢，还是从我打通了的岩洞的门里钻进去的，连自己都记不得了，甚至到了第二天早上也想不起来。因为，我跑进这藏身之所时，心里恐怖已极，就是一只受惊的野兔逃进自己的草窝里，一只狐狸逃进自己的地穴里，也没有像我这样胆颤心惊。
我一夜都没合眼。时间越长，我的疑惧反而越大。这似乎有点反常，也不合乎受惊动物正常的心理状态。原来主要是因为我自己大惊小怪，因而引起一连串的胡思乱想，结果自己吓自己；而且，想的时间越长，越是都往坏处想。有时候，我幻想着，那定是魔鬼在作祟；于是，我的理智便随声附和，支持我的想法。我想，其他人怎么会跑到那儿去呢？把他们送到岛上来的船在哪里呢？别的脚印又在什么地方呢？一个人又怎么可能到那边去呢？但是，再一想，要是说魔鬼在那儿显出人形，仅仅是为了留下一个人的脚印，那又未免毫无意义，因为我未必一定会看到它。我想，魔鬼若为了吓吓我，可以找到许多其它办法，何必留下这个孤零零的脚印呢？
何况我住在岛的另一头，魔鬼绝不会头脑如此简单，把一个记号留在我十有八九看不到的地方，而且还留在沙滩上，因为只要一起大风，就会被海潮冲得一干二净。这一切看来都不能自圆其说，也不符合我们对魔鬼的一般看法，在我们眼里，魔鬼总是十分乖巧狡猾的。
所有这一切都使我不得不承认，我害怕那是魔鬼的作为是毫无根据的。因此，我马上得出一个结论：那一定是某种更危险的生物，也就是说，一定是海岛对岸大陆上的那些野人来跟我作对。他们划着独木舟在海上闲游，可能卷入了急流，或碰上逆风，偶尔冲到或刮到海岛上。上岸后又不愿留在这孤岛上，又回到了海上，要不我该发现他们了。
当上述种种想法在我头脑里萦回时，我起初还庆幸自己当时没有在那边，也没有给他们发现我的小船。要是他们真的看到了小船，就会断定这小岛上有人，说不定会来搜寻我。
可是，我又胡思乱想起来，出现了一些恐怖的念头。我想，他们可能已发现了我的小船，并且也已发现这岛上有人。又想，如果这样，他们一定会来更多的人把我吃掉；即使他们找不到我，也一定会发现我的围墙。那样，他们就会把我的谷物通通毁掉，把我驯养的山羊都劫走；最后，我只好活活饿死。
恐惧心驱走了我全部的宗教信仰。在此之前，我亲身感受到上帝的恩惠，使我产生了对上帝的信仰；现在，这种信仰完全消失了。过去，上帝用神迹赐给我食物；而现在，我似乎认为他竟无力来保护他所赐给我的食物了。于是，我责备自己贪图安逸的生活，不肯多种一些粮食，只图能接得上下一季吃的就算了，好像不会发生什么意外似的，认为我一定能享用地里收获的谷物。这种自我谴责是有道理的，所以我决定以后一定要屯积好两三年的粮食。这样，无论发生什么事，也不致于因缺乏粮食而饿死。
天命难测，使人生显得多么光怪陆离，变化无穷啊！在不同的环境下，人的感情又怎样变幻无常啊！我们今天所爱的，往往是我们明天所恨的；我们今天所追求的，往往是我们明天所逃避的；我们今天所希翼的，往往是我们明天所害怕的，甚至会吓得胆战心惊。现在，我自己就是一个生动的例子。以前，我觉得，我最大的痛苦是被人类社会所抛弃，孤身一人，被汪洋大海所包围，与人世隔绝，被贬黜而过着寂寞的生活。仿佛上天认定我不足与人类为伍，不足与其他人交往似的。我当时觉得，假如我能见到一个人，对我来说不亚于死而复生，那将是上帝所能赐给我的最大的幸福，这种幸福仅次于上帝饶恕我在人间所犯的罪孽，让我登上天堂。而现在呢，只要疑心可能会看到人，我就会不寒而栗；只要见到人影，看到人在岛上留下的脚印无声无息地躺在那里，我就恨不得地上有个洞让我钻下去。白马书院
人生就是这么变幻无常。我惊魂甫定之后，产生了关于人生的离奇古怪的想法。我认识到，我当前的境遇，正是大智大仁的上帝为我安排的。我既然无法预知天命，就该服从上帝的绝对权威。因为，我既然是上帝创造的，他就拥有绝对的权力按照他的旨意支配我和处置我；而我自己又曾冒犯过他，他当然有权力给我任何惩罚，这是合情合理的。我自己也理所当然地应接受他的惩罚，因为我对上帝犯了罪。
于是，我又想到，既然公正而万能的上帝认为应该这样惩罚我，他当然也有力量拯救我。如果上帝认为不应该拯救我，我就应该认命，绝对地、毫无保留地服从上帝的旨意；同时，我也应该对上帝寄予希望，向他祈祷，静静地听候他圣意的吩咐和指示。
我就这样苦思冥想，花去了许多小时，许多天，甚至许多星期，许多个月。思考的结果，在当时对我产生了一种特殊的影响，不能不在这里提一下。那就是：一天清晨，我正躺在床上想着野人出现的危险，心里觉得忐忑不安。这时，我忽然想到《圣经》上的话："你在患难的时候呼求我，我就必拯救你，而你要颂赞我。"于是，我愉快地从床上爬起来，不仅心里感到宽慰多了，而且获得了指引和鼓舞，虔诚地向上帝祈祷，恳求他能拯救我。做完祈祷之后，我就拿起《圣经》翻开来，首先就看到下面这句话："等候上帝，要刚强勇敢，坚定你的意志，等候上帝！"这几句话给我的安慰，非语言所能形容。于是，我放下《圣经》，心里充满了感激之情，也不再忧愁哀伤，至少当时不再难过了。
我就这样一会儿胡猜乱想，一会儿疑神疑鬼，一会儿又反省冥思。忽然有一天，我觉得这一切也许全是我自己的幻觉。那只脚印可能是我下船上岸时自己留在沙滩上的。这个想法使我稍稍高兴了一些，并竭力使自己相信，那确实是自己的幻觉，那只不过是自己留下的脚印而已。因为，我既然可以从那儿上船，当然也可以从那儿下船上岸。更何况，我自己也无法确定哪儿我走过，哪儿我没走过。如果最终证明那只不过是自己的脚印，我岂不成了个大傻瓜，就像那些编造鬼怪恐怖故事的傻瓜，没有吓倒别人反而吓坏了自己！
于是，我又鼓起勇气，想到外面去看看。我已经三天三夜没有走出城堡了，家里快断粮了，只剩一些大麦饼和水。另外，我还想到，那些山羊也该挤奶了，这项工作一直是我傍晚的消遣。那些可怜的家伙好久没挤奶，一定痛苦不安。事实上，由于长久没有挤奶，有好几只几乎已挤不出奶而糟蹋掉了。
相信那不过是自己的脚印，这一切只是自己在吓自己，我就壮起胆子重新外出了，并跑到我的乡间别墅去挤羊奶。我一路上担惊害怕，一步三回头往身后张望，时刻准备丢下筐子逃命。如果有人看到我那走路的样子，一定以为我做了什么亏心事，或新近受了什么极大的惊吓哩-—受惊吓这倒也是事实！