And now I began to think sedately; and, upon debate with myself, I concluded that this island (which was so exceedingly pleasant, fruitful, and no farther from the mainland than as I had seen) was not so entirely abandoned as I might imagine; that although there were no stated inhabitants who lived on the spot, yet that there might sometimes come boats off from the shore, who, either with design, or perhaps never but when they were driven by cross winds, might come to this place; that I had lived there fifteen years now and had not met with the least shadow or figure of any people yet; and that, if at any time they should be driven here, it was probable they went away again as soon as ever they could, seeing they had never thought fit to fix here upon any occasion; that the most I could suggest any danger from was from any casual accidental landing of straggling people from the main, who, as it was likely, if they were driven hither, were here against their wills, so they made no stay here, but went off again with all possible speed; seldom staying one night on shore, lest they should not have the help of the tides and daylight back again; and that, therefore, I had nothing to do but to consider of some safe retreat, in case I should see any savages land upon the spot.
Elvégre is nem természetellenes dolog, hogy erre a gyümölcsöző és kellemes szigetre ember vetődik, hiszen ráadásul közel van a kontinenshez és ha nem is lakik itt senki, de akár valamely céllal, akár mert ide hajtja a vihar, bárki partra szállhat itt. Igaz, hogy a tizenöt év alatt, mióta itt élek, egy lelket sem láttam, de ez legfeljebb annyit jelent, hogy akik erre jártak, mihelyt valamiképpen módját ejtették, továbbálltak.