The longboat landed on the beach below my hiding spot. Eleven men climbed out and pulled the boat onto the sand. Three of them were clearly prisoners with their hands tied. The others looked rough and dangerous, carrying weapons. I realized this was not a rescue party but a mutiny. The crew had taken over the ship and captured their officers. They were going to leave the prisoners here to die. The mutineers spread out across the beach, exploring. They found the island uninhabited, or so they thought. The tide was low, and they decided to wait before leaving. Some of them fell asleep in the shade of the trees. I saw my opportunity and made my plan. I crept closer to where the three prisoners sat alone. When no one was watching, I whispered to them in English. 'Do not be afraid,' I said. 'I am a friend who will help you.' They were shocked to hear an English voice from the bushes. One of them, the captain of the ship, nearly cried with relief. 'Are you a man or an angel sent from heaven?' he asked. I told him I was an Englishman who had lived here for many years. I offered to help them if they would agree to my conditions. They must obey my commands while on my island. And if we succeeded, they must take me back to England. The captain agreed immediately and gratefully. I cut their ropes and gave them weapons from my store. There were now five of us: myself, Friday, and three Englishmen. We crept up on the sleeping mutineers. The captain killed two of the worst men who had led the mutiny. The others woke up to find guns pointed at their heads. They surrendered immediately and begged for mercy. We tied them up and put them in my cave as prisoners. But the ship was still in the hands of the remaining mutineers. Twenty-six more men were aboard, and they had all the weapons. That evening, the men on the ship became worried. Their companions had not returned as expected. They fired a cannon as a signal and waited. When there was no answer, they sent another boat to investigate. Ten armed men landed on the beach in the darkness. They found the first boat but no sign of their friends. They shouted and searched, but we stayed hidden. I used Friday to make sounds in the woods. He called out and lured them deeper into the island. The men became separated in the dark forest. We captured them in small groups, one by one. Some fought, but most surrendered when they saw they were outnumbered. By morning, we had captured all ten men. Now we had to take back the ship itself. Some of the captured mutineers agreed to help us in exchange for mercy. We loaded into the boats under cover of darkness. We rowed quietly toward the ship lying at anchor. The remaining mutineers were not expecting any trouble. They thought their friends were returning with news. We climbed aboard and attacked before they could react. The fight was brief and bloody. The leader of the mutineers was killed by the captain himself. The rest threw down their weapons and surrendered. The captain stood on the deck of his ship once more. He fired a cannon seven times as a signal of victory. Then he came to find me and shook my hand warmly. 'Sir,' he said, 'there is your ship. She is yours by right.' 'Without you, we would all be dead or marooned here.' I was overwhelmed by the sudden change in my fortune. Twenty-eight years of solitude were about to end. I had a ship and a crew to take me back to England. I could hardly believe it was finally happening. But there were still things to do before we could leave. We had to deal with the prisoners and prepare for the voyage. And I had to say goodbye to the island that had been my home. I walked through my camp one last time. I felt a strange sadness at leaving this place I knew so well. But my heart was set on home, and nothing could change that.
B1Chapter 14 / 15709 words70 sentences
The Mutiny
Chapter 14 · 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
An English ship arrives with unexpected dangers and opportunities.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
How many armed men came in the second boat to investigate?
2
What had happened on the English ship?
3
How many times did the captain fire the cannon as a victory signal?
4