The Castaway

In May of 1831 a British sailing ship has delivered its cargo of fine English furniture to the island of Jamaica for the Walker West India Company, and is returning homeward with a load of raw sugar, molasses and rum. One of the shipmates aboard this vessel, the Arthur Hoyt - is Ship's Mate Edward Tostig, on his third seagoing voyage and just turned 22 years of age in March of that year. Their ship is pursued and captured by a crew of pirates, seeking a Spanish Galleon transporting some of the treasure that the Spaniards had extracted from their explorations in Central America. The British ship happened to pass through at the time that the pirates were expecting to see the Galleon, attracting their attention by trying to run instead of submitting to a boarding. Thinking that the Brits have something to hide by running, not heeling to surrender - the pirates give chase. The inexperienced English Captain orders armed resistance, which takes the pirates by surprise. A fight ensues, which becomes a bloodbath, during which Edward is knocked unconscious and then thrown overboard.
Edward revives after hitting the water and struggles to the surface, only to watch as the two ships, grappled together continue to sail west and disappear - leaving him alone in the open sea. He finds himself challenged and begins to swim, west with the current in search of an island or some passing ship. He maintains his calm and manages to find a plank of wood in the water, blown off the Arthur Hoyt by cannon fire. Edward uses this to float upon and take rest from swimming, alternating both through the night. The following day, Edward spies green treetops in the distance, then swims to the island where he will spend the following eighteen months. He begins to explore, finding fresh water, some food and rudimentary shelter.
The scene shifts to Edward's shipmate and best friend, Albert Skellar, aboard the Arthur Hoyt as the fight winds down. Albert is able to hide from the pirates, and in so doing becomes the sole surviving crew member after the pirates plunder the rum and ship's stores for food, and the ship is cast adrift. Albert is rescued alive a week later by a British warship and returned to George Town on Exuma. Albert signs on with another merchant ship as crew and is returned to England where he reunites with his family. He brings along Edward's stow box with his personal belongings.
Next we meet the Crowley's, Martin and Nell, in Hampshire, England where they have raised their family. Martin is a successful businessman, and he and his wife have three lovely grown daughters, two of which have married and moved away - leaving Hilda. She is 21 years old and keen on having a career in nursing, while her mother insists that she find herself a husband and get married, which Hilda is in no hurry to do.
The storyline follows all three threads, while Edward is exploring his island, Albert is making contact with Edward's family on the farm in Droxford, Hampshire north of Portsmouth. He travels to meet with them and has a memorable visit, relating the events of the voyage on the Arthur Hoyt which culminated with their Edward being thrown into the sea.
Meanwhile, Hilda contests her mother's wishes by accepting an employment in the nearby hospital where she pursues her vocation in nursing.
On the island, Edward comes down with a toothache which becomes a serious abscess which affects his sleeping and eating. After weeks of agony he grows angry at God for ignoring his prayers, asking for help from "any power of this Earth or beyond", and he is heard by a demon. This minion appears before Edward and arranges for Edward to meet with his master Satan to barter his soul for a rescue. A scene follows where the Devil appears and an agreement is struck - Edward gets his jaw fixed and is rescued by a British Warship - while agreeing to a "Family Plan" proposed by the Devil as a condition of the bargain - and sets the stage for the rest of the story.