(Continuing from Part 10)
The next morning, I woke early and looked toward the sea.
The weather was calm, and the wrecked ship was still standing on the sandbank.
I was pleased to see it.
Although I had already brought many useful things to shore, I knew that the ship contained much more.
I decided to return before another storm destroyed it.
When the tide was low, I walked along the beach and entered the water. I swam toward the ship and climbed aboard using the same rope as before.
This time, I knew where to look.
I searched the rooms and storage areas carefully, collecting anything that might help me survive.
I found more biscuits, some bread, and several bottles of drink. I also discovered clothing belonging to the sailors.
The clothes were valuable because I had only the garments I was wearing when the ship sank.
I collected shirts, coats, and other useful articles.
Then I searched for tools.
I found more nails, pieces of iron, and equipment that could be used for building.
There were also ropes, canvas, and spare sails.
I realized that canvas could be especially useful. I might use it to make a tent or protect my possessions from the rain.
I carried everything to the deck and prepared to build another raft.
The first raft had been difficult to construct, but I had learned from the experience.
This time, I worked more quickly.
I tied several pieces of timber together and placed wooden boards across them.
When the raft was ready, I loaded it carefully.
I wanted to carry as much as possible without making it unstable.
Among the objects I found were bags of nails, a large screw jack, and a grindstone for sharpening tools.
I did not yet know how I would use all these things, but I understood that they might become valuable later.
After loading the raft, I guided it toward the shore.
The tide helped carry me into the creek where I had landed before.
Fortunately, I reached land without serious difficulty.
I secured the raft and began unloading.
The work was exhausting.
Every object had to be carried from the raft to a dry place.
Some of the boxes were very heavy, and I had to drag them slowly across the ground.
By evening, I had moved most of the supplies.
I was tired, but satisfied.
Over the following days, I continued returning to the ship.
Whenever the weather was calm and the tide was favorable, I swam out to the wreck and searched for more useful things.
I made several additional rafts.
Sometimes I carried food and clothing.
At other times, I brought ropes, timber, tools, or pieces of metal.
I also found more gunpowder and ammunition.
These were among my most important possessions.
I knew that I could hunt animals with my guns, but only while I had powder and bullets.
Once my ammunition was gone, I would have no easy way to replace it.
For that reason, I stored it carefully and tried not to waste it.
During one of my visits, I discovered a small amount of money.
There were coins of different kinds, including gold and silver.
I looked at them and laughed bitterly.
“What good are you to me now?” I said aloud.
In England or Brazil, money could purchase food, clothing, and almost anything else I needed.
But on this island, there were no shops, markets, or merchants.
A simple knife was more useful to me than a bag of gold.
I thought about leaving the coins behind.
Then I decided to take them anyway.
Perhaps one day I would escape from the island and return to ordinary society.
If that happened, the money might become valuable again.
So I carried it ashore with my other possessions.
As the days passed, my collection of supplies grew.
I had enough food to last for some time, although I knew I must eventually learn to produce or find my own.
I had guns, powder, tools, clothing, ropes, and wood.
But I still lacked one essential thing.
I had no permanent home.
My temporary camp near the shore was not safe enough.
The boxes and boards provided little protection from rain or strong winds.
I also worried about wild animals and possible visitors.
I needed a place where I could sleep safely and keep my possessions dry.
I began exploring the land more carefully.
I wanted a location with several advantages.
First, it should be healthy, with fresh air and protection from the strongest heat of the sun.
Second, it should be close to fresh water.
Third, it should be secure against possible attacks.
Finally, I wanted to see the sea from my home.
If a ship ever appeared near the island, I did not want to miss my chance of rescue.
After searching, I found a promising place.
It was a small, level area beside a steep hill.
The front of the hill faced toward the sea, and the ground below it was dry.
The hillside rose almost vertically behind the level area, forming a natural wall.
I thought that I might build a shelter against this wall and surround it with a strong fence.
The location was not directly on the beach, but it was close enough for me to reach my supplies.
I examined the ground and imagined what I could build there.
Perhaps I could make a tent using the sails from the ship.
Then I could construct a fence from wooden posts.
If I made the entrance difficult to find, I might be safe even if dangerous people came to the island.
I decided that this would become my home.
But before I could begin building, I needed to bring all my possessions from the shore.
I also needed to cut wood, prepare posts, and arrange my tools.
It would be a great deal of work for one man.
Still, I had already survived the shipwreck, built rafts, and rescued valuable supplies.
I had learned that difficult tasks became possible when I worked patiently.
I looked toward the hill once more.
For the first time, I began to imagine living on the island not merely for a few days, but perhaps for months or years.
The thought frightened me.
Yet I knew that I had no choice.
Until a ship came to rescue me, I would have to make this lonely place my home.