ROBINSON CRUSOE/ THE SHIP WRECK
Several Books have been written about people Shipwrecked on an Island. In the Swiss Family Robinson, This happens to a whole family. In Coral Island, it happens to three boys. But the most famous of these books is Robinson Crusoe. This the story of one man who spent twenty eight years on an Island in the Atlantic Ocean. The book tells how he lived, how he built a house and a boat, and how he was rescued at last after some exciting adventures. This passage tells the shipwreck on the Island.
The Shipwreck
When the ship was ready they set sail. It was Autumn, in the year 1659. The ship was small; it carried six guns and fourteen men, besides the captain, his boy and Crusoe.
At first weather was good, but after twelve days the wind began to blow very hard. Great waves crashed over the ship, tearing the sails and breaking down the masts. For twelve days the storm went on. One morning, the sailors saw the land is not for off. Suddenly the ship struck a sandbank. The sailors pushed a life boat into the sea, and began to row toward the land.
There were eleven men in the little boat. They pulled hard at the oars, trying to reach the land. But the storm became worse. Heavy waves dashed over the boat. The wind was blowing harder and harder. All at once a great wave, as high as hill, came down on them. The boat overturned and the sailors were thrown into the angry sea
One of the men was Robinson Crusoe. Down, Down, into the water he sank. He was afraid he would drown. But he held his breath, and slowly slowly came up to the top again. He was a good swimmer, and began to swim towards the land.
He looked around. The other sailors had disappeared ------ all drowned. Crusoe was alone.
As he got near to the land, the waves threw him on the rocks. He managed to et his arms round a piece of rock, and held on. The waves came over him again and again, but Crusoe held tightly to rock. After a little while he felt stronger. He pulled himself up out of the water, and began to run to the shore. Again the waves came up behind him, but now he was out of danger. At last he reached the top. He was safe from the sea. He sank down on the ground, worn out out after his long climb.
After a short while he began to feel thirsty. He walked a little way and found a steam, at which he had a long drink. But he had no food; and nothing in his pocket but a small knife, a pipe and some tobacco. Night was coming on and it began to grow dark. Crusoe had to find a place to sleep, safe
from wild animals. He chose a large tree with spreading branches and climbed up into it. With his knife he cut a stick to keep off any animals.
He put some tobacco in his mouth and chewed it to keep away his hunger. He made himself comfortable among the branches, so that he would not fall. And so he fell asleep.