How does Robinson Crusoe meet Friday in Daniel Defoe’s novel?

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Daniel Defoe Daniel Defoe, engraving by M. Van der Gucht, after a portrait by J. Taverner, first half of the 18th century.

In Daniel Defoe’s novel, Robinson Crusoe encounters Friday after discovering that a group of native people has brought captives to his island to kill and eat them. When one of the captives manages to escape, Crusoe intervenes by shooting the pursuers, thereby saving the man's life.12

Following this rescue, the man approaches Crusoe and demonstrates his submission by placing his head on the ground at Crusoe's feet. Crusoe names him "Friday" to commemorate the day his life was saved and teaches him to refer to him as "Master". This meeting marks the beginning of their relationship, which evolves into a complex bond characterized by Crusoe’s efforts to convert Friday to Christianity and teach him to speak English.21