ΤΟ ΒΙΒΛΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΑΠΟΛΥΤΗΣ ΠΕΡΙΠΕΤΕΙΑΣ

ΝΤΑΝΙΕΛ ΝΤΕ ΦΟΕ

Πέθανε σαν σήμερα, το 1731 (γενν.1659 ή 1661) . Ο θάνατος τον βρήκε μέσα
στην έσχατη ένδεια και την απομόνωση, αφού κρυβόταν από
τους δανειστές του, τραγικές ασφαλώς συνθήκες, που όμως δεν εμπόδισαν
την υστεροφημία του. Ο "Ρομβινσών Κρούσος" του (1719) έμεινε στην ιστορία ως
το βιβλίο της "απόλυτης" περιπέτειας, εξακολουθεί μάλιστα
να τρέφει ακόμα και στις μέρες μας τη φαντασία όσων έχουν
νεανικά αισθήματα και ασφυκτιούν στο πνιγηρό
περιβάλλον της αστικής καθημερινότητας
και ονειρεύονται αποδράσεις προς έναν κόσμο φυσικό και παρθένο,
όπου η προκλήσεις της φύσης δοκιμάζουν τα όρια των δυνατοτήτων
και της αντοχής του ανθρώπου.
Απειράριθμα είναι τα έργα της Τέχνης που στηρίχτηκαν στο
θέμα του Ρομβινσώνα και μέσα από τις πολλαπλές εκφάνσεις τους

Chapter V

Robinson Finds Himself on a Desolate Island and Procures a Stock
of Articles from the Wreck—He Constructs His Habitation

When I wak'd it was broad Day, the Weather clear, and the Storm abated, so that the Sea did not rage and swell as before: But that which surpris'd me most, was, that the Ship was lifted off in the Night from the Sand where she lay, by the Swelling of the Tyde, and was driven up almost as far as the Rock which I first mention'd, where I had been so bruis'd by the dashing me against it; this being within about a Mile from the Shore where I was, and the Ship seeming to stand upright still, I wish'd my self on board, that, at least, I might save some necessary things for my use.

When I came down from my Appartment in the Tree, I look'd about me again, and the first thing I found was the Boat, which lay as the Wind and the Sea had toss'd her up upon the Land, about two Miles on my right Hand. I walk'd as far as I could upon the Shore to have got to her, but found a Neck or Inlet of Water between me and the Boat, which was about half a Mile broad, so I came back for the present, being more intent upon getting at the Ship, where I hop'd to find something for my present Subsistence.

A little after Noon I found the Sea very calm, and the Tyde ebb'd so far out, that I could come within a Quarter of a Mile of the Ship; and here I found a fresh renewing of my Grief, for I saw evidently, that if we had kept on board, we had been all safe, that is to say, we had all got safe on Shore, and I had not been so miserable as to be left entirely destitute of all Comfort and Company, as I now was; this forc'd Tears from my Eyes again, but as there was little Relief in that, I resolv'd, if possible, to get to the Ship, so I pull'd off my Clothes, for the Weather was hot to Extremity, and took the Water, but when I came to the Ship, my Difficulty was still greater to know how to get on board, for as she lay a ground, and high out of the Water, there was nothing within my Reach to lay hold of; I swam round her twice, and the second Time I spy'd a small Piece of a Rope, which I wonder'd I did not see at first, hang down by the Fore-Chains so low, as that with great Difficulty I got hold of it, and by the help of that Rope, got up into the Forecastle of the Ship; here I found that the Ship was bulg'd, and had a great deal of Water in her Hold, but that she lay so on the Side of a Bank of hard Sand, or rather Earth, that her Stern lay lifted up upon the Bank, and her Head low almost to the Water; by this Means all her Quarter was free, and all that was in that Part was dry; for you may be sure my first Work was to search and to see what was spoil'd and what was free; and first I found that all the Ship's Provisions were dry and untouch'd by the Water, and being very well dispos'd to eat, I went to the Bread-room and fill'd my Pockets with Bisket, and eat it as I went about other things, for I had no time to lose; I also found some Rum in the great Cabbin, of which I took a large Dram, and which I had indeed need enough of to spirit me for what was before me: Now I wanted nothing but a Boat to furnish my self with many things which I forsaw would be very necessary to me...[...]