(Continuing from Part 39)
After rescuing the young prisoner from the men who pursued him, I knew that we must leave the shore quickly.
The sound of my gun might have been heard by the other visitors. If they came searching for their companions, they might discover us.
I led the young man into the woods.
He followed willingly, although he still looked at me with surprise.
I had appeared suddenly when he was running for his life. He had seen me defeat two men, and he did not understand how my gun could kill someone from a distance.
I could tell that he was both grateful and afraid.
We traveled toward one of my hidden shelters, away from the beach.
When we reached a safe place, I stopped and offered him food.
I gave him bread and a handful of dried grapes.
He examined them with interest before eating.
He was extremely hungry.
I then gave him fresh water.
He drank eagerly.
Afterward, I made signs that he should rest.
The young man lay down and soon fell asleep.
I watched him for some time.
It was difficult to believe that another human being was finally living beside me.
For more than twenty years, I had spoken mostly to myself and my animals.
Now I had someone who could listen and perhaps, in time, answer me.
I felt great happiness.
Yet I also knew that we could not immediately trust each other completely.
We spoke different languages, and neither of us understood the other’s customs.
I would have to learn how to communicate with him.
When he woke, he approached me respectfully.
He again made gestures showing his gratitude.
He bowed low and placed his head near my feet.
I understood that he wished to promise his loyalty.
I helped him stand and spoke kindly, although he could not understand my words.
I wanted him to know that I would not harm him.
I decided to give him a name.
The day on which I had saved his life was Friday.
Therefore, I called him Friday.
I repeated the word several times and pointed toward him.
“Friday,” I said.
He watched my face carefully.
Then he repeated the sound.
“Friday.”
I smiled.
He seemed pleased that he had understood.
Next, I taught him what to call me.
I told him to say “Master.”
This reflected the unequal relationship I assumed between us, according to the customs and attitudes of my time.
He learned the word quickly.
I also taught him to say “yes” and “no.”
These simple words were extremely useful.
I pointed to objects and asked questions.
Sometimes he understood.
At other times, he looked confused.
But he was intelligent and eager to learn.
I soon discovered that he remembered new words remarkably well.
I studied his appearance and manner.
He was a young man, probably about twenty-six years old.
He was strong, active, and well built.
His face was pleasant, and his expression was open.
He had dark hair and bright eyes.
He moved quickly and gracefully.
I was pleased that he seemed healthy and capable.
I believed he would become a valuable companion.
For the first few days, I kept him away from my main shelter.
I wanted to be certain that the visitors had left the island.
I also wished to learn more about him before showing him everything I possessed.
We stayed in one of my smaller retreats.
I provided him with food and a safe place to sleep.
During this time, I continued teaching him English words.
I showed him my tools, my clothes, and some of the things I used every day.
He examined everything with great curiosity.
My gun interested him especially.
He had seen what it could do, but he did not understand how it worked.
Whenever I touched it, he watched carefully.
I tried to show him that the weapon was dangerous and should not be handled carelessly.
He seemed to understand.
After some time, I took him toward the place where the struggle had occurred.
I wanted to discover whether the other visitors had returned.
We approached cautiously.
When we reached a position overlooking the shore, I saw that the canoes were gone.
The men had departed.
I felt relieved.
We could now move about more safely.
But Friday’s behavior surprised me.
When he saw the remains of the two men who had pursued him, he showed little fear or sorrow.
Instead, he made signs suggesting that he wished to prepare their bodies as food.
I was horrified.
I understood that he came from a people whose customs included eating enemies captured in war.
I had already seen evidence of this practice on the island.
But now I was confronted with it directly.
I shook my head firmly.
“No,” I said.
I repeated the word and made signs that he must not do such a thing.
Friday looked surprised.
He seemed unable to understand why I objected.
I continued showing my disapproval.
At last, he accepted my instruction.
I decided that I would teach him to eat the food I prepared instead.
We buried the remains and left the place.
I then brought Friday farther inland.
As we walked, I thought about the extraordinary change in my life.
Only a short time earlier, I had been completely alone.
Now I was responsible for another person.
I would need to provide him with food, shelter, and clothing.
I would also have to teach him how to live safely on the island.
When we reached my main home, Friday looked around in amazement.
He examined the walls, the trees, and the entrance.
He had never seen a shelter arranged in quite this way.
I showed him how I used the ladder to enter.
Then I brought him inside.
He looked at my tools, furniture, and stored provisions with great interest.
Poll, my parrot, suddenly called out:
“Poor Robin Crusoe! Where are you?”
Friday stopped and stared.
He could hardly believe that a bird was speaking.
I laughed and showed him Poll.
The parrot repeated its familiar words.
Friday watched in astonishment.
For the first time in many years, I had another person with whom to share such a moment.
I prepared a meal for us.
We sat together and ate.
Although we could speak only a few words, I felt less lonely than I had for a very long time.
I knew that Friday had much to learn.
I also knew that I had much to learn about him.
But I hoped that, with patience, we would come to understand one another.
That evening, as I looked at my new companion, I felt that my life on the island had entered a different age.
I was no longer its only human inhabitant.