The weather was calm and beautiful when we set sail from Hull. I stood on the deck, watching the coast of England disappear behind us. My friend showed me around the ship and introduced me to the sailors. They were rough men with weathered faces and strong hands. I tried to help them with their work, eager to learn the ways of the sea. The captain, my friend's father, was a kind man who treated me well. He taught me how to read the wind and understand the movement of the waves. Everything was perfect, and I believed my adventure had truly begun. But on the sixth day of our voyage, everything changed. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, and the wind began to blow harder. The experienced sailors looked worried as they watched the sky. 'A storm is coming,' the captain announced to the crew. The men rushed to secure the ropes and lower the sails. I had never seen such activity and urgency before. Within an hour, the storm was upon us with terrible fury. The waves rose higher than I had ever imagined possible. The ship was tossed around like a small toy in a child's bath. I held onto the railing with all my strength, terrified of falling. Rain poured down so heavily that I could barely see the deck. Lightning flashed across the sky, followed by deafening thunder. I was more frightened than I had ever been in my life. My father's warnings echoed in my mind as the ship shook violently. I made promises to God that if I survived, I would return home immediately. I swore I would never set foot on a ship again. I promised to be a good son and follow my father's advice. The storm raged all through the night and into the next day. Several times, I thought we would surely sink and drown. Water flooded into the ship, and the sailors worked desperately to pump it out. I was too sick and scared to help them. I lay in my cabin, praying for the nightmare to end. Finally, on the third day, the winds began to calm. The waves grew smaller, and the rain stopped falling. I came up on deck and saw blue sky appearing through the clouds. The sailors cheered and laughed with relief. My friend came to me with a smile on his face. 'That was nothing,' he said. 'Just a small blow.' I could not believe what I was hearing. 'Do you mean to say that storms can be worse than this?' I asked. He laughed and nodded his head. 'Much worse,' he said. 'You will see, if you continue sailing.' That evening, the captain invited me to dine with him. We drank wine and ate fresh fish that the sailors had caught. The terror of the storm already seemed like a distant memory. My promises to God and my father began to fade from my mind. I started to feel ashamed of my fear during the storm. The other sailors had not been as frightened as I was. Perhaps I could become brave like them with more experience. The next few days were pleasant and peaceful. The sea was calm, and the wind filled our sails perfectly. I spent my time learning knots and helping with simple tasks. I was beginning to love the sailor's life. But fate had not finished testing me yet. When we were close to the mouth of the Thames River, another storm came. This storm was even more violent than the first one. The winds howled like wild beasts around the ship. Even the experienced sailors looked truly afraid this time. The captain ordered everyone to abandon ship. We climbed into a small boat just as the ship began to sink. The waves nearly overturned our little boat several times. We rowed with all our strength toward the shore. Somehow, we made it to the beach alive. We lay on the sand, exhausted but grateful to be alive. The ship and all its cargo were lost in the angry sea. The captain had lost everything he owned. My friend looked at me with serious eyes. 'You should go home to your father,' he said. 'The sea does not want you. This is a sign.' I knew he was right, but I was too proud to admit it. Instead of going home, I decided to continue to London. I was determined to find another ship and pursue my dreams of the sea.
B1Chapter 2 / 15754 words70 sentences
The First Voyage
Chapter 2 · Robinson Crusoe · B1 English. Tip: Click on any word while reading to see its translation. Take your time with each chapter and review the vocabulary before moving on.
Chapter Summary
Robinson's first sea journey ends in a terrifying storm.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What did Robinson promise to do during the first storm?
2
What was Robinson's reaction after the first storm ended?
3
What happened to the ship during the second storm?
4