Робінзон Крузо
Visit of Mutineers
andthat,ifpleased,hewouldgotothemwiththeoldman,anddiscoursewiththemaboutit,andreturnagain,andbringmetheiranswer; thathewouldmakeconditionswiththemupontheirsolemnoaththattheyshouldbeabsolutelyundermyleading,astheircommanderandcaptain; andthattheyshouldswearupontheholysacramentsandthegospeltobetruetome,andtogotosuchChristiancountryasthatIshouldagreeto,andnoother,andtobedirectedwhollyandabsolutelybymyorderstilltheywerelandedsafelyinsuchcountryasIintended; andthathewouldbringacontractfromthem,undertheirhands,forthatpurpose.
ThenhetoldmehewouldfirstsweartomehimselfthathewouldneverstirfrommeaslongashelivedtillIgavehimorders; andthathewouldtakemysidetothelastdropofhisblood,ifthereshouldhappentheleastbreachoffaithamonghiscountrymen.
Hetoldmetheywereallofthemverycivil,honestmen,andtheywereunderthegreatestdistressimaginable,havingneitherweaponsnorclothes,noranyfood,butatthemercyanddiscretionofthesavages; outofallhopesofeverreturningtotheirowncountry; andthathewassure,ifIwouldundertaketheirrelief,theywouldliveanddiebyme.
Upontheseassurances,Iresolvedtoventuretorelievethem,ifpossible,andtosendtheoldsavageandthisSpaniardovertothemtotreat. Butwhenwehadgottenallthingsinareadinesstogo,theSpaniardhimselfstartedanobjection,whichhadsomuchprudenceinitononehand,andsomuchsincerityontheotherhand,thatIcouldnotbutbeverywellsatisfiedinit,andbyhisadviceputoffthedeliveranceofhiscomradesforatleasthalfayear. Thecasewasthus:
