It was from this time, indeed, I had strong inclinations to venture over, and use my utmost efforts, if possible, to join these white bearded men, who undoubtedly were Spaniards or Portuguese; for, thought I, it must be certainly a better and safer way to escape when there is a good company, than for me alone, from an island forty miles off the shore, and without any assistance. Some days, after, Friday and I being at work, as usual, at the same time diverting ourselves with various discourses; I told him I had a boat which I would bestow upon him, whenever he pleased to return to his own nation; and to convince him of the truth of what I said, I took him with me to the other side of the island, where my frigate lay, and then taking it from under the water, (for I always kept it sunk for fear of a discovery) we went both into it to see how it would manage such an expedition.
And really never could any be more dexterous in rowing than my faithful servant, making the boat go as fast again as I could. "Well now, Friday", said I, "shall we now go to your so much admired nation." But instead of meeting with that cheerfulness I expected, he looked very dull and melancholy at my saying so; which indeed at first surprised me, till he made me sensible, that his concern was about the boat's being too small to go so far a voyage. Upon which I let him understand I had a much bigger; and accordingly, the next day went to the place where the first boat lay, which I had made, when all the strength I had or art I could use failed me in my attempt to get it into the water: but now it having lain in the sun two and twenty years, and no care being taken of it all that while, it became in a manner rotten. My man told me, that such a boat would do very well for the purpose, sufficient to carry _enough vittle, drink, bread_, for that was his manner of talking. In short, my mind being strongly fixed upon my design of going over with him to the Continent, I very plainly told him that we would both go and make a boat full as big, and more proportionable than that, wherein he might safely return to his own nation.
These words made Friday look so very pensive that I thought he would have fallen at my feet. It was some time before he could speak a word, which made me ask him, what was the matter with him? He replied in a very soft and moving tone, _What has poor Friday done? why are you angry mad with poor servant? What me done, O what me done?_ "Friday," said I, "you never yet have offended me, what makes you think I am angry with you, when I am not angry at all." _You no angry, no angry,_ said he several times, _if you be no angry, why den send Friday over great water to my own nation?_ "Why from a mountain you beheld the place where you was born, and is it not to satisfy your desires that I am willing to give you leave to return thither?" _Yes, yes_, said Friday, _me wish to be there sure enough, but then me with master there too: no wish Friday there, no master there._ In short, he could not endure the thoughts of going there without me. "I go there! Friday," said I, "what shall I do there?" He answered very quickly, _O master you do great deal much good, you teach all de wild mans to be good tame mans: you learn dem to be sober, life good live, to know God, and pray God._ "Alas! poor Friday," said I, "what can I do against their priests of _Benamuckee_, or indeed what good can I make your nation sensible of, when I myself am but a poor ignorant man?" _No, no, master,_ said he, _you be no ignorant, you teachee me good, you teachee dem good._ "You shall go without me, Friday," said I, "for I don't care to accompany you thither; I would rather live in this solitude than venture among such inhuman savages. _Go your way since you desire it, and leave me alone by myself as I was before I saved your life_."