Chapters 27-28 Summary
Robinson Crusoe feels like a proper king on his island now that he has three subjects. He notes that each subject represents a different religion: Friday is a Protestant, Friday’s father is a pagan, and the Spaniard is a Catholic. Crusoe remarks that he allows for liberty of conscience in his kingdom. He sends Friday off to bury the dead cannibals and to cover their location.
In speaking with the Spaniard, Crusoe learns that there are fourteen survivors living on the mainland, but they are close to being destitute despite the aid given by Friday’s tribe. They discuss bringing the Europeans over to the island. The Spaniard feels it would be better to wait a season and grow some more crops before doing so, lest the Europeans cause trouble because there is not enough food. Crusoe agrees, and the four men increase both the growing fields and the herd of goats. After six months, the Spaniard and Friday’s father go off to the mainland to bring the new “colonists” to Crusoe’s island. Before their return, Friday comes running to warn Crusoe of an approaching ship. Crusoe sees that it is an English ship, but the English have no traffic in this Spanish-controlled area. He feels suspicious despite his excitement at the thought of seeing his countrymen once more.
The boat draws near the shore, and Crusoe watches closely as eleven men disembark. He sees that three are unarmed and appear to be bound. The others wander off and the three prisoners are left alone. Crusoe greets them when they catch sight of him. He tells them he is their friend, perhaps sent from heaven for their rescue. An older man, obviously the leader, explains that he is the captain of the ship. Several members of his crew have mutinied; they have brought him, the first mate, and a passenger to the island to leave to their death. Crusoe promises to help the captain if he will take Crusoe and Friday back to England. The captain readily agrees. Crusoe takes the three men back to his cave. The captain is impressed with the ingenuity evident in the care and inventiveness of the furnishings. Crusoe follows the other men. He eventually captures some and encourages several to join their side against the mutineers. In another attack, some of the mutineers are killed, though Crusoe had tried to avoid taking any lives. The mutineers are overcome, and only the ringleader is under the threat of execution.
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