He called loudly to the sailors and to the captain. "Oh, do not leave
me here. Take me back, and I will give you no more trouble."
But they would not listen to him. The ship sailed away and was soon
lost to sight.
Then Selkirk set to work to make the best of things. He built him a
little hut for shelter at night and in stormy weather. He planted a
small garden. There were pigs and goats on the island, and plenty of
fish could be caught from the shore. So there was always plenty of
food. Sometimes Selkirk saw ships sailing in the distance. He tried
to make signals to them; he called as loudly as he could; but he was
neither seen nor heard, and the ships came no nearer.
"If I ever have the good fortune to escape from this island," he said,
"I will be kind and obliging to every one. I will try to make friends
instead of enemies."
For four years and four months he lived alone on the island. Then, to
his great joy, a ship came near and anchored in the little harbor.
He made himself known, and the captain willingly agreed to carry him
back to his own country. When he reached Scotland everybody was eager
to hear him tell of his adventures, and he soon found himself famous.
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