Robinson Crusoe: Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

For five years after this, not much happened, as Robinson continued to grow barley and rice, harvest grapes and dry them into raisins, and hunt. He built a smaller canoe than his earlier one and was able to bring this one to water. Stocking it with provisions and building a sail, he set off in the canoe to sail around the perimeter of his island.

When he got to the western side of the island, Robinson went ashore, climbed a hill, and looked out on the water, seeing a dangerous current that his boat might be caught up in. Indeed, the next day, he was swept up in the current and feared that he would be driven far out to sea. He says that this showed him "how easy it was for the providence of God to make even the most miserable condition of mankind worse."

Fortunately, though, Robinson was able to direct his small boat into an eddy that brought him back toward the island. He got to shore on the island's north side, and gave thanks to God, resolving not to try to escape his island any longer.

Not wanting to risk the open sea again, Robinson piloted his boat into a river and harbored it in the stream before walking back to his home. He noticed that he was only a little farther away than when he had journeyed here by foot. He took with him from his boat only his gun and umbrella.

Robinson made it to his little dwelling in the forest, which he called his "country house," and slept. He was awakened, though, by a voice calling, "Robin, Robin, Robin, Crusoe; poor Robin Crusoe! Where are you, Robin Crusoe?" Robinson woke up shocked, but saw that it was merely his talking parrot Poll.

Robinson returned to his home, content to stay on his area of the island and resign himself "to the dispositions of Providence." He continued to make tools, pottery, and wicker-ware, and was particularly pleased to be able to make a tobacco pipe. His gunpowder, though, was running low.