Robinson Crusoe's great desire to cross the seas in search of adventure proves too great for him to remain at home, so he runs away and goes to sea. On reaching the South Seas a terrible storm arises and the vessel is soon a total wreck. Robinson is the sole survivor and he offers thanks to God for his deliverance. That night, in fear of wild beasts, he sleeps in a tree and the following morning swims several times to the wreck and secures supplies and provisions, also a cat and a dog. Later he builds 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 dally goes to his lookout platform in the hopes of seeing a friendly sail One day he comes across footprints and sees through his telescope the arrival of canoes containing cannibals. He hurries to the shore and kills several cannibals, who are pursuing one man who has escaped. The cannibals, terrified at the noise and at seeing their companions fall without being struck, hurry away and Robinson makes friends with the man Friday. For two years Friday is Robinson's constant friend and learns to talk his language. Again the cannibals visit the island, and Robinson and Friday rescue a Spanish castaway and an old native who proves to be Friday's father. Later a boat arrives, containing Captain Hardy and his beautiful daughter. Their own men have bound and left them. That night Robinson attacks the ship while the men are throwing dice, and defeats them. Many enlist under his command and Robinson and his party set sail. They are attacked by cannibals and Friday is killed. On Robinson's return to his native town he is received as a hero and he marries the captain's daughter.