Robinson Crusoe cannot overcome his great desire to cross the seas in search of adventure, and his parents are much distressed. One day he goes to them and begs to be allowed to ship aboard some vessel, but both his father and mother lecture him and appeal to him and he gives his promise to give up the idea. His desire proves too great for him to keep this promise, and one day he runs away to sea. He has qualms of consciousness as he gazes upon the receding shores and suffers other qualms of a physical nature very soon afterwards. The good ship arrives in the South Seas. A terrible storm arises and the vessel is soon a total wreck, and Robinson is the sole survivor. He reaches shore more dead than alive, and offers up thanks to God for his deliverance. That night, in mortal fear of wild beasts, Crusoe sleeps in a tree. The following morning Robinson sets to work to provision himself and swims to the wreck. He makes many trips and secures supplies and provisions, but what pleases him even more, is in securing a cat and a dog. Later Robinson builds himself a well-stocked and barricaded home and finds solace in hard work. The years pass and Robinson adds to his friends in the form of goats, parrots and other animals, and he repairs daily to his lookout platform in the hopes of seeing a friendly sail. One day, while making the rounds of his island, he comes across footprints, which strikes terror to his soul and later he sees, through his telescope, the arrival of some canoes containing cannibals. He hurries to the shore and is in time to kill several cannibals, who are pursuing one man who has escaped, and who has been destined for a meal. The cannibals, terrified at the noise, and at seeing their companions fall without being struck, hurry away in their canoes and Robinson make friends with his man Friday. For two years Friday is Robinson's constant friend and learns to talk his language. Again the cannibals visit the island and this time Robinson and Friday are enabled to rescue a Spanish cast-away sailor and an old Indian, who proves to be Friday's father. Together they make a happy family and Robinson almost forgets his long days of loneliness. Their peace of mind is broken by the arrival of a small boat from the ship of Captain Hardy, who is rowed ashore, together with his beautiful daughter and bound and left on the rocks. Those members of the mutinous crew who have accompanied Capt. Hardy and his daughter are attacked by Robinson Crusoe and his Trusty Three. That night, while the mate and his companions are throwing dice in the cabin they are suddenly attacked by Robinson Crusoe and his companions, and after a terrific battle, both in the cabin, and later on deck, the crew are defeated. Many of them are only too glad to get away from their murderous companions and enlist under Robinson Crusoe's command. The others are placed upon the island and left there. Robinson Crusoe and his companions embark on the ship. They are attacked by cannibals, who are repulsed, but in the fight poor Friday is killed by an arrow and is burled at sea, mourned by his father and Robinson Crusoe. On the long voyage back to Crusoe's motherland, his acquaintanceship with the captain's daughter ripens into love. He returns to his native town, where he is received with great rejoicing, and married to the captain's daughter. Robinson Crusoe and his wife live to a ripe old age and he never tires of the circle of children who surround him, clamoring for a recital of his stirring adventures.