The Daniel Defoe Library

In which the narrator, burdened with ill-gotten wealth yet destitute of friendship, resolves to bestow a considerable portion upon the sister of his companion William, in hope of securing both charity and refuge. After years of hesitation abroad and careful planning, they resolve upon a stealthy return to England, adopting foreign disguises and cautious conduct to avoid detection whilst arranging...

In which the careful disposition of funds to a trusted relative is undertaken with prudent resolve and familial affection, ensuring secrecy and security in uncertain times. Thus encouraged by discreet correspondence and an assured retreat, plans are made for a concealed return to England, veiled in privacy and caution.

In which the narrator and his companion maintain their assumed identities as Armenian merchants while living quietly in Venice, cultivating a deep and steadfast friendship marked by shared reflection and prudence. Their cautious correspondence with distant kin rekindles tender familial ties and ignites contemplations of farewell to foreign lands and a return to England.

In which the protagonist, concealed from his countrymen and troubled in spirit, wrestles with the heavy burden of his ill-gotten wealth and the deep moral reckonings it incites, finding counsel and comfort chiefly in the wise and steady William. Together they resolve to journey from the Levant to Europe, carrying their precious cargo under a veil of secrecy and reflection, pondering the uncertaint...

In which the captain and his companion William engage in earnest discourse about the possibility of forsaking their piratical way of life, revealing a profound divergence in their notions of home and repentance. Their deliberations lead them to a cautious plan of concealment and commerce in Persia, adopting the guise of merchants while pondering the better course for their fortunes and souls.

In which the narrative unfolds the prolonged captivity and grievous losses suffered by the captain’s son in a foreign land, alongside his reliance on providential blessings such as the arrival of a Bible and eventual fortune through husbandry. Meanwhile, the account shifts to maritime ventures involving cautious trade disguises and negotiation with various merchants, revealing a careful plotting f...

In which the captain and his crew find themselves precariously anchored within reach of a vast multitude of hostile natives, engaged in a cautious and tense parley mediated by a Dutchman whose allegiance wavers. An account follows of an English captain's earlier encounter with the island's inhabitants, illustrating the perils and mistrust that accompany dealings with the unfathomable customs and s...

In which the crew, after finding a safe harbour and procuring provisions, encounter a ship they compel to supply them, then face a violent storm that drives their vessel aground on a strange shore where they must deal with wary and potentially hostile natives. Careful negotiations and prudent counsel prevent rash action as they weigh the risks of trusting the islanders, amidst tense exchanges medi...

In which the voyage home proves a grand and arduous undertaking, marked by strange islands, hostile encounters with indigenous peoples, and a perplexing siege upon a hollow tree fortress, which tests the courage and cunning of our men. Though the hardships and losses are keenly felt, prudence ultimately guides the course toward more familiar shores, as the crew endeavours to procure the provisions...

In which the venturesome crew encounters a dreadful thunderstorm near New Guinea, narrowly escaping peril, and proceeds to gather a rich cargo of spices through cunning captures and trade amongst the islands and seas of the East. Their dealings lead them to a remarkable meeting with Chinese and Japanese merchants, revealing tales of English castaways in Japan and stirring thoughts of ventures yet...

In which our company, joined with Captain Avery’s, contemplates settling in Madagascar but ultimately continues their seafaring enterprises, encountering division among themselves and taking prizes along the coasts of India and the Spice Islands. The text recounts their cautious navigation through treacherous waters, the capture of valuable cargo, and a necessary repair of their main ship while en...

In which the crew sets sail for the Cape of Good Hope, encountering troubling weather and unexpected English deserters who eagerly join their ranks, before venturing to Madagascar and then cruising the Red Sea in search of richer prizes. They face challenges from the local populations, scarce rewards, and navigate complex decisions about their course, until a serendipitous reunion with lost comrad...

In which the captain and his men come upon a Dutch-built ship inhabited solely by a multitude of enslaved negroes, whose tragic revolt against their cruel captors has left the vessel bereft of its white crew, and this discovery leads to a delicate challenge of communication and compassion. With the aid of a skilled surgeon and the resourceful William, they navigate the difficulties of healing, und...

In which our captain and his crew, after enduring storms and narrowly escaping an English man-of-war, engage in a bold combat with a Portuguese man-of-war along the Brazilian coast, showcasing fierce determination despite their own hardships. They subsequently encounter a distressed vessel seemingly abandoned by her crew, prompting a cautious but ingenious approach advised by their ever-prudent co...

In which the Captain and his companions, enriched by their gold and ivory gathering amidst the rains and floods, embark upon the sea once more, engaging in commerce, conflict, and alliance with various peoples and vessels, and enriching themselves by bold and sometimes dubious means. Their voyage carries them through the West Indies and beyond, where exploits grow ever more daring, alliances shift...

In which our company takes into their fellowship a naked Englishman, who, though abandoned by fortune and weaponless amidst savage wilderness, becomes their invaluable guide and interpreter through lands rich with rivers of gold and teeming with wild creatures. Together they explore the bounteous but arduous terrain, labouring at the washing of golden sands and negotiating with native kings, tempt...

In which a resourceful company traverses a vast and desolate wilderness, encountering wild beasts and scant provisions, until they reach a small river bordered by native huts and meet a lone white Englishman who has lived in exile among the natives for years. This gentleman proves invaluable as a guide, interpreter, and mediator, easing their passage through the land and providing them with crucia...

In which the travellers encounter a terrifying gathering of wild beasts around their camp by night, leading to a fierce defence that results in several creatures slain and a night filled with eerie roaring. As they proceed northward through strange and often barren lands, they meet friendly natives who provide sustenance, confront difficult decisions about their route, and discover salt springs am...

In which the travellers encounter an astonishing wilderness teeming with elephants and wild beasts, and, after securing sustenance through fishing and hunting, discover a river that offers both hope and risk amid the encroaching wet season. They establish a fortified encampment by the river, resolving to share newfound gold equitably and protect themselves against nightly visits from prowling lion...

In which the travellers encounter a barren and hostile wilderness beyond a rugged mountain ridge, prompting them to devise clever means of shelter and sustainment, whilst observing the strange habits of wild beasts and the resources of the land. Despite the daunting expanse of sand and endless desolation, they press forward with cautious hope, strengthened by the discovery of water and the aid of...

In which a fierce leopard is dispatched by the steady hand of a marksman, stirring awe and superstition among the native prisoners, while the travellers fashion canoes and make cautious progress along a winding river beset by diverse peoples and wild beasts. Encountering treachery and strife among the many separate nations, they maintain order through prudence and arms, navigating the uneasy terra...

In which a young prince of the natives, struck by our power and honourable dealings, places his trust and fealty with us, leading to an expedition inland with prisoners and a determined caravan, guided by mutual signs and newly formed bonds. We traverse a verdant region by river and land, witness the wondrous obedience of beasts, and at length confront a mighty cataract, all the while bridging the...

In which a weary company, driven by necessity and bold resolve, make landfall on the desolate African coast and encounter its fierce inhabitants, compelling them to forge a desperate plan for a perilous journey across a vast and untamed continent. Guided by necessity and newfound leadership, they marshal their courage and resources to navigate hostile terrain, savage beasts, and uncertain allies i...

In which our mariners, favoured by the civility and generosity of the island’s natives, find themselves inspired to construct a vessel from the wreckage of a stranded Dutch ship, employing ingenuity and native resources to overcome their paucity of tools and materials. Thus prepared, they set forth from the island, their course uncertain but hearts resolved, embarking upon a perilous voyage toward...

In which a resourceful band, finding barter with the native islanders exceedingly profitable, prepare and embark upon a perilous voyage to seek passage to the African mainland, crafting ingenious contrivances to preserve provisions and fresh water. Battling the fierce heat and unyielding winds, they establish a fortified camp on a desolate cape dubbed Point Desperation and debate their uncertain c...