Sailing Alone Around the World · Chapter
Chapter X: Juan Fernandez and the Fuegian Arrow explained
After a harrowing passage through the Strait of Magellan, Slocum sails the Spray to Juan Fernandez, the island of Robinson Crusoe.
What happens
After a harrowing passage through the Strait of Magellan, Slocum sails the Spray to Juan Fernandez, the island of Robinson Crusoe. He encounters a friendly 'king' and learns of a war between Chile and Argentina. Before reaching the island, he survives a gale and a defective sheet rope, and narrowly escapes a Fuegian arrow attack.
Themes in this chapter
Man vs. Nature
Slocum battles a snowstorm, a defective sheet rope, and the treacherous seas near Cape Pillar.
Cultural Encounter and Observation
Slocum interacts with the islanders of Juan Fernandez, including the 'king' who had lived there for thirty years.
Resilience and Perseverance
Despite the peril of a broken boom and the threat of Fuegian arrows, Slocum perseveres and safely reaches his destination.
Characters to notice
- Spray
The sloop is navigated through storm and calm, nearly capsized by a jibe, and safely anchored at Juan Fernandez.
- Captain Joshua Slocum
Slocum reflects on the voyage, harpoons a shark, and skillfully handles the Spray through dangerous conditions.
- The Fuegians
Fuegian savages shoot an arrow at the Spray, prompting Slocum to fire his rifle in response.
- Juan Fernandez
The historic island is sighted and reached, evoking deep emotions in Slocum.
Key passages
“I harpooned him and took out his ugly jaws.”
I speared the shark and removed its jaws.
Slocum kills a shark that threatened the Spray.
“A thousand emotions thrilled me when I saw the island, and I bowed my head to the deck.”
Seeing the island filled me with overwhelming feelings, and I bowed in reverence.
Slocum's emotional response to sighting Juan Fernandez.
“The accident which so jeopardized my vessel and cargo came of a defective sheet rope, one made from sisal, a treacherous fiber which has caused a deal of strong language among sailors.”
The dangerous accident was caused by a faulty sisal rope, a material sailors often curse.
Slocum attributes the near-disaster to a defective rope.