When Robinson Crusoe escapes from the Moors, he takes Xury with him, promising that he will make him a great man if he will swear to keep faith with Crusoe. Xury keeps his side of the bargain. Before long, he is offering to lay down his life for Crusoe. Age and (primarily) race ensure that Crusoe and Xury's relationship is that of master and servant, rather than an equal friendship. This clearly anticipates the relationship Crusoe is later to have with Friday.

Crusoe gives Xury orders and treats him as a servant when they are together. They converse in pidgin English. Finally, Crusoe has the opportunity to sell Xury to a Portuguese captain. He refuses to sell the boy as a slave, but allows the captain to take him as an indentured servant for ten years, after which he will be a free man, on the condition that he converts to Christianity. Xury says he is willing to go, but this is still rather a far cry from Crusoe's promise to make him a great man.