I asked the captain if he was willing to venture with these hands on board the ship; but as for me and my man Friday, I did not think it was proper for us to stir, having seven men left behind; and it was employment enough for us to keep them asunder, and supply them with victuals.
Chiesi al capitano s’egli credea d’avventurarsi con questa gente all’arrembaggio del vascello; perchè quanto a me e al servo mio Venerdì, non pensai ne convenisse il moverci dall’isola, ove ne rimanevano sette uomini da guardare. Era assai briga per noi il tenerli disgiunti e provvedere al giornaliero lor vitto; quanto ai cinque della caverna, trovai opportuno il lasciarli legati.