 The National Broadcasting Company presents another in the new series of famous stories for young people, Adventure Ahead. This week, that classic of thrilling adventure, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, a story which brought reading excitement to over 15 generations of boys and girls. And so, Adventure Ahead. Adventure, the one thing that I wanted most in life. To sail the far off seas, to seek my fortune in the mystery of distant land. For I'd have none of England's peaceful shores in 1651. I meant to make my own adventure in the world alone. Robinson? Yes, Father? You're determined to leave home? Your friends and a father is mad impulse? It's not an impulse, Father. I've always wanted to go to sea and visit foreign countries. Now that I finish school, I'm going up to London and sign a board the first ship I can find. And nothing I can say will make you change your mind? No, Father. You're making a mistake, my son. You're young and inexperienced. But I'm almost a man I can learn. Perhaps. But it won't be easy, Robinson, when you're alone, away from friends and family. I'll never be lonely. That doesn't bother me. London? You don't know what it is to be lonely, son. But you'll learn someday when you're without friends, without hope, without courage. And that'll be the test, Robinson Crusoe, of whether or not you're a man. I think you want to sail for Brazil, lad? Yes, sir. Most anywhere, Captain. Well, we can use you on the crew. Oh, thank you, sir. Bring your gear aboard. We're under way tonight. Trim the oars! Trim the oars! Crusoe! Crusoe! Yes, sir. Get that dog below there, out of the way. Yes, sir. Break out more tenders there alone. Trim the oars! Trim the oars! Our course was laid far west by west, through the Caribbean Sea, well off the trade routes. But the way went well, until we reached the Caribe Coast, the cannibal coast of South America. And there we ran afoul a traffic storm, Kempas Terracay, lashed and tore against our ship, snapped the main ship. The long boat, the oars, were here off the Caribe Coast. Aye, it's our only cabin. There's an island off the starboard. We'll try and make it to the long boat. But cannibals! What about the cannibals? Have to take the cans, Crusoe. We can't stay aboard. One of us managed to launch the long boat and escaped the stricken ship. But we were tossed and shaken like a matchbox in the heavy sea and gulfed by every wave, until our boat could stand no more. Caught by a mountainous wave, it split it. Spilling us into the roaring sea. I clutched a broken piece of wood, watching all the others driven past me, hoping that I might somehow keep afloat and reach the dim outline of land I saw ahead, a tiny island in the storm. Passed off along the sandy beach I held myself beyond the surface. Thank God that I was alive. Cold and wet, desolate. Alone. I seem to be the only member of the crew to reach the island. The only one alive. And even with the storm around me, I fell asleep, weary, exhausted, and very much alone. The storm had blown itself away, and the traffic sun beat down upon the island, drenching all the jungle wilderness with suffocating heat. The island wasn't very large, not more than five or six miles square, but covered with a dense and tangled foliage, a solitary forest of mystery and silence, suggesting that I might well be the only human on that lonely strip of land, and the strong, strange feeling of being very much alone possessed me. But as I looked out to sea, the ship. I saw our ship, or what was left of her. Caught on the reef, she lay about a mile offshore, broken, splintered, dexawash. It was impossible that anyone could be alive out there, and yet the feeling now of loneliness, of wanting to find a fellow man sent me swimming out, or out to board the stricken ship. The ship was empty, broken, useless, like a twisted shell, and crumbling fast beneath the pounding waves and heavy tide. And then I knew full well the island was to be my home, where I must try to live alone as best I could until some help arrived, another ship. But that might well be months or even years. And since the ship had stores aboard that I could use, I collected all the tools and sails, gunpowder and a fouling piece, two pistols, knives and everything that I might need. While searching near the pilot house, I heard a sudden noise. Who's there? Who's in there? Oh, the dog. Hello there, my friend. Can I have to see me, huh? Oh, I wonder how you let through this storm. Oh, I can't leave you here to die. You're coming back with me, my friend. You and I alone that island over there. I built myself a rat from broken yard arms, lashed the wood together, loaded all my precious cargo. Guns and powder, tools, some bedding and a hammock, spare canvas and a fry glass, flour and biscuit and my dog all floated back and landed on the island. A deserted island that was to be my home. I made a set of canvas, a shelter for the first few nights. Then with tools I built a stronger home, a sturdy dugout cabin, using forest wood I cut and hued with muddy earth to fill the chinks and cracks. And after that, a fence, a high stockade to protect me from the jungle. Yes, I was secure within my castle then and felt content with what was mine. But I also felt more strongly a sense of loneliness. And sometimes at night I dream loneliness. You learn about it someday, son, when you're without friends or hope or courage. And that will be the test, my son, of whether or not you're a man. When I built a well-protected home, I took my musket and my dog and went to field most every day, exploring all the jungle woodland, mountains and valleys. But I found no trace of living man upon the islands. No animals except a few wild goats quite difficult to kill. But hoping to domesticate them, I caught a few. Built a small enclosure for them near my habitation. So obtained fresh milk and meat. I found several springs for drinking water. In the jungle teemed with birds and parrots, but they were all in fit to eat. One day I caught a parrot though and then resolved to teach him how to speak. With at least a way to offset loneliness. Ah, ah, ah, Crusoe, Crusoe. Well, Polly. Ah, poor Robinson Crusoe. Ah, poor Robinson Crusoe. Yes, poor Robinson Crusoe. With my fur cap and patterned clothing, it's an umbrella made of goat skin and my dog and parrot. I must have looked a strange, pathetic sight. But it was the best that I could do. And if I seemed downcast and woeful, it was because the future seemed so hopeless. I felt so much alone. Although I watched a seaward constantly, there was no sign of ship or sail. I knew it might be years until a ship or boat came here. My only destiny was loneliness. Ah, ah, poor Robinson Crusoe. Ah, ah, three years on this blasted island. Yes, it's been a full three years. Three years. At least we've made some progress, huh? We've cultivated land, raised our own food, corn and wheat. I counted all our goats yesterday, Polly. Four hundred and twenty-two goats. Not bad, huh? Not bad. Why, at that rate, in 20 years, I'll... 20 years. Can it be possible that I'll be stranded here for 20 years? Come along. That's right. That's a good joy. Now we're almost to the other beach. I suspect I should have left you at home, Polly. Ah, ah, for so fun! It seems we haven't been over in this side of the island for almost a year. Nice sandy beach along here. Almost like the one on our side of the island, huh? I wonder how far it might be from here to the northern coast. How do you think the coast of South America? Why, it must be miles. What's wrong? What's wrong? What is it? What's the matter? Look. A footprint. A footprint. In the sand. The island that I'd thought was safe. Deserted. See, filled with danger. Unseen terror lurking in the jungle. Back in my stockade, I was afraid to venture out for several days. The village might have made the footprint. But the word tribes of cannibals on the mainland that I always thought that they were many miles away now. If I didn't know how far away they were, the brooded, worried, restless, watching, ever watching with my spyglass for some sign of a ship or a boat. It was on a Friday, I remember. I was watching. And then one came. A boat with ragged sails. Some sort of Indian canoe came paddling toward my beach. And I went scrambling through the jungle with my dog and musket, close to the point where it had landed. Right, there wasn't no one here. Probably cannibals, all right. Three of them, and I got a prisoner. And I... They're going to kill them, the prisoner. They must be cannibals. No, no, look. He's broken loose. He's running this way. We must help him. He's running this way. Here, here, this way. Come here. Come on back here. Come on back here. Right here. Right here. Right here. Right here. Right here. Right down. Right down beside me. There. Careful, there comes one of them. I've always seen you. He's coming this way. Have to shoot him or he'll kill you. It's better. Yeah, those scoundrels are running for their boats. Good. Look up here, folks. There, there. You don't need to be afraid anymore. I won't hurt you. I know what you're saying. There's no need to fear those savages you can stay here on the island with me I'll take care of you. I'll be glad to take care of you You need someone to help me here in return. I'll give you food place to rest To teach you English so you how to farm and live the way we do in England And since I found you on a Friday, that's what I'll call you you Friday That's right, your name is Friday Once more Friday play it once again. I live on island Mr. Crusoe My fun Finished your work already. Oh, yes, Mr. Crusoe all done plant money seeds Much fun. I Like work for you Friday our new stockade completed. Oh, yes, Mr. Crusoe, I like very much to work with tools carpenter tool. Hi, you build a good strong fence there Well, I've needed that for several years is very strong. Mr. Crusoe You've learned to be a good carpenter Friday and a good woodsman I like to learn to make things with my hands. Yes, I know I have learned to do many kind work Since you saved me on beat. Yes, you've been with me a long time Friday long time long time many moons More moons than fingers on my hand. Yes, at least two years long time But I am happy to work for you. Mr. Crusoe. I Like to stay beside you always always. Oh, yes, yes always if you Like me don't you ever miss your own people Friday the tribe the Indians far from here on the main one No, no, no, I never thinking about them. Mr. Crusoe because I want to learn money kind work. I want to be How you say? Civilized I want to be like you. I often wonder if I am still civilized They're all these years alone You miss you miss your people. Mr. Crusoe. Yes, I miss them More than I ever realized I could you want to much go back to your people back England That's all I've dreamt about for many years Long as I can remember I thought only about escaping from this island Friday such dreams are hopeless. I'm afraid There was but a way I could escape But I could build both and we could go together No, Ferdy, we might reach the mainland with it But that would be no help the mainland's wild with tribes of Caribe cannibals England is my destination then we could build big boat. Mr. Crusoe No, it'd take a bigger boat than we could ever build a sail to England. There is no way No boat big enough. Yes, there are ships large enough ships ships Great white birds larger than you've ever seen. Oh, they've never come near this island Long as I've been here Friday. I've never seen a sailing ship come near and one those those ships Could take you back to England. Yes You you are lonely Yes, right Even with you here, it's not the same as England I've grown used to the loneliness My father tried to save me once from the sort of life Gave me very sound advice you further. Yes Like to see him again Tell him that I've learned my lesson. Well, I've learned the penalty of loneliness Someday Someday ship may come you can go back perhaps. I hope so Friday then Mr. Crusoe if you go in England. Yes Friday won't go with you to England. I won't go with you to work for you You you are my king My master. No, Friday. I don't want to slave if you go with me. You'll go as my friend And after that for months and months we seem to talk of nothing but escape All seem hopeless in a way that we were doomed to spend our lives on the forgotten island Until one afternoon when we were hunting Friday suddenly called A sale it's a sale Friday. It's a ship a full rig clipper ship Yes, a ship has somehow reached our island But as we watched there's seen something strange about the ship The way she lay at anchor without flags Why was she there? Why did she pick my island? So when a long boat started out we raced along the beach and waited hiding in the tangled thick Easy mate Then the hand creamer get these empty water cakes unloaded. Hi, sir The chance we might find fresh water here. Maybe certainly need fresh water aboard ship. Hi Island looks deserted There may be wild animals you've got the pistol McGuire. That's right captain. All right, then let's head up the beach Oh, no, you don't captain Thompson. Yeah, and we are captain Why what a pistol pointed right at your heart captain Thompson, and I mean to use it if I have to Famous I make think we ought to tie up the captain. Good idea Get that toilet rope from the longboat. Hi. I'm a look here mate What's the meaning of this careful there captain no false moves, but what are you going to do? You'll find out soon enough captain This is just part of the plan me and Kramer worked out plan to get you out of the way captain You like this deserted island so well We're gonna leave you here. What why are you pay for this McGuire? Oh really captain Thompson? I'm giving the order from now on and when I want your opinion. I'll ask for it. You're here Tie his hands first and lash him tight. All right McGuire But but you can't do this the ship the ship. You've seen the last of your ship captain Thompson When me and Kramer get back aboard, I'm taking over command. I'll run the ship the way I want to mate This is mutiny. I I that's right But the crew will never know we'll tell him you had an accident now and before you died You made me captain, but you'll be caught the authorities will never know what happened captain Thompson, but you can't you can't leave me here Why the islands deserted? I'll I'll starve. I'll die. That's the general idea captain Me and Kramer don't think you're worth wasting powder and shot So we're going to tie you up and leave you here on the beach Why you black I always said I'd get even with your captain Thompson And it'll give me pleasure knowing you're tired of death a slow death on a desert island Yeah, I Mutiny that's what it means mutiny Righty, we must think of a scheme a way to rescue the captain from those men those fiends That's about there may be going back to England and freedom. He must think of a way to save the captain Yes, I have Hurry it up. I might Lash his arms back. That's the main thing so he can't swim for the ship before we get underway But but mate, huh? Yeah, you can't leave me here alone. I employ you please don't leave me here alone Listen to the dog why no no please shut up, but you're you're making a mistake. You have no reason to want it You you come for pleasure, huh treasure Who are you? How'd you get here? We live here fine treasure in for a jewel gold You come for treasure treasure, huh? McGuire. You think there's a treasure on this island Oh, there might be you can't have a kill would not to look hmm. Hey, bye. Yes, Mr. The treasure Where is it? It's a bullet. I saw in you. I think I'll take a look I'm I'll keep your eye on Captain Thompson. Huh, but but I haven't got a fish. Oh, you won't need one I'll be right back, but but my boy. I said I'd be right back. I'll keep him tied up The boy is it a big treasure? Oh boy a big treasure. Oh, yes. Yes, very big Silver there is huh. Well, where is it? Where is the treasure? I saw in you, Mr. True here true here, Mr Here it is, huh? Where I Don't see any treasure Where right behind you, huh? And what's your step? This pistol of mine might go off. But we'll take a gun Friday. I have it Who are you? Hey, how could you never mind who I am mr. Mate turn around and start walking back to your boat. Oh lively there. Look a lot But but what are you going to do? You don't know why I'm here on this island. It's not hard to guess mr. Mate, I haven't seen a shipper or sailor for many years, but I can still recognize the mutiny mutiny But how did you know never mind look alive there? Going back to your boat and your illegal captain No No, no, I wouldn't go back captain Thompson. Hey, you're kidding me. It'll hang me from my yard down a good idea No, no, I won't go back. You can't make me. I run away come back or I'll shoot And that's the story captain Thompson It's incredible crucial all these years. I've been waiting for a ship to come and take me away from this lonely place This is the first ship to ever sail near my little island and you've lived here alone these many years. Yes captain miracle It was a miracle your gallant rescue the way you suddenly appeared from the jungle. I I can hardly believe it yet And I'm indebted to you crucial for saving my life and You're saving my ship. Thank you captain How can I help you through so? How can I show my gratitude? I have only one request Yes Friday my native friends and myself would like passage on your ship anywhere anywhere away from this island. Well, of course to England perhaps We touched there within a year to England you say Sir you you spoke of miracle To me that would be a miracle Well, my son, it's hard to realize you come back. Yes, father Little older a little tired, but I've learned many things I've come home to stay and your friend here Friday You think you will like our civilization Friday. Well, it's not him as I learn but I will learn I would like it Robinson tells me you're a true friend. He's told me how to do money things And Friday taught me many things what do you mean? Patience most of all and The will to go on living even though I was alone and lonely You know father, I've never forgotten what you told me this day. I went away about loneliness. I Didn't believe you then. I know you didn't son He said I had learned some day about loneliness when I was without friends and hope courage And I have learned yes used to the test of loneliness my son and Whether or not you're a man We left the world and that's the story of Robinson Crusoe Daniel Defoe's classic tales as Adapted for radio by Tom Goutain Crusoe was played by John Thomas Friday by Juan O'Hernan then others in the cast were Neil Fitzgerald Rod Hendrickson Paul Conrad Kermit Murdoch Ed Cullen and Brad Barker Music was by Doc Whipple and the entire production was under the direction of Joseph Mansfield Listen to adventure ahead each week for the stories of gallant deeds to appeal to the young in heart of every age NBC and its affiliated independent stations present adventure ahead as a public service This is the national broadcasting company