Once his ship was sailing in the great Pacific Ocean, It was four hundred miles from the coast of South America. Then something happened which Selkirk did not like. He became very disagreeable. He quarreled with the other sailors, and even with the captain. "I would rather live alone on a desert island than be a sailor on this ship," he said. "Very well," answered the captain. "We shall put you ashore on the first island that we see." "Do so," said Selkirk. "You cannot please me better." The very next day they came in sight of a little green island. There were groves of trees near the shore, and high hills beyond them. "What is the name of this island?" asked Selkirk. "Juan Fernandez," [Footnote: Juan Fernandez (pro. joo'an fer nan'dsz).] said the captain. [Illustration] "Set me on shore and leave me there. Give me a few common tools and some food, and I will do well enough," said the sailor. "It shall be done," answered the captain. So they filled a small boat with the things that he would need the most--an ax, a hoe, a kettle, and some other things. They also put in some bread and meat and other food, enough for several weeks. Then four of the sailors rowed him to the shore and left him there. Alexander Selkirk was all alone on the island. He began to see how foolish he had been; he thought how terrible it would be to live there without one friend, without one person to whom he could speak. He called loudly to the sailors and to the captain. "Oh, do not leave me here. Take me back, and I will give you no more trouble." But they would not listen to him. The ship sailed away and was soon lost to sight. Then Selkirk set to work to make the best of things. He built him a little hut for shelter at night and in stormy weather. He planted a small garden. There were pigs and goats on the island, and plenty of fish could be caught from the shore. So there was always plenty of food. Sometimes Selkirk saw ships sailing in the distance. He tried to make signals to them; he called as loudly as he could; but he was neither seen nor heard, and the ships came no nearer. "If I ever have the good fortune to escape from this island," he said, "I will be kind and obliging to every one. I will try to make friends instead of enemies." For four years and four months he lived alone on the island. Then, to his great joy, a ship came near and anchored in the little harbor. He made himself known, and the captain willingly agreed to carry him back to his own country. When he reached Scotland everybody was eager to hear him tell of his adventures, and he soon found himself famous. In England there was then living a man whose name was Daniel Defoe. [Footnote: De foe'.] He was a writer of books. He had written many stories which people at that time liked to read.