Arriving in Lisbon, Crusoe found his old friend, the captain, who informed him of Crusoe's state of affairs. He told Crusoe that his plantation had done well, and this his partner was still alive. Due to his long absence, Crusoe found his estate in a state of confusion, but one thing was assured, and that was that he had become a very wealthy man. Thus, he began the complicated task of consolidating and restoring his authority over his properties.
True to his old friends, he promised them restitutions for their labors on his behalf when he was in full control of his wealth. After making recompense to the old captain and others, Crusoe had to decide which way to steer his course "and what to do with the estate that Providence had thus put into my hands." He decided first to go to England, but was somewhat apprehensive about going by sea. Acting on his hunches, he decided not to go two different times on two different ships, and this was greatly to his advantage as both ships were lost at sea.
He resolved then to go by land and, taking Friday with him, he and five other gentlemen employed a guide and left for England.
Crusoe and the others set out from Lisbon. Because he was the oldest, and had two servants (Friday being too unfamiliar with this part of the world to serve all his needs), the other men in the troop called Crusoe "Captain."
When they came to Navarre, they were informed that heavy snow had fallen on the French side of the mountains impeding travelers greatly. On arriving in Pampeluna, all were shocked at the extreme cold, especially Friday, who had never seen snow in his life. Because the roads were impassable, they stayed twenty days at Pampeluna. Crusoe suggested taking a small voyage by sea to Bordeaux.
