In 1712, Woodes Rogers published an account of the privateering expedition. A Cruising Voyage Round the World included his account of Selkirk's marooning. Readers were fascinated by the Scot's struggle to survive such desolation. What also attracted them was the morality he found by turning to God to overcome his fears: he was a better Christian while in this solitude than ever he was before. (Cordingly, David. Under the Black Flag, page 140). The book proved a resounding success and later served as a guide for future expeditions.
Five years later, Rogers was appointed Governor of the Bahamas, but those who hired him couldn't afford to pay him. His primary responsibility was to rid the islands of pirates, who considered New Providence a safe haven. Lacking sufficient firepower to enforce this charge, Rogers offered the pirates a pardon. Over six hundred took up his offer, and he then enlisted some of these reformed pirates to hunt those who refused to surrender. When some doubted his sincerity in ending piracy, he hanged eight pirates. In need of money and supplies, he returned to England in 1721. He was dismissed from his post, forced to declare bankruptcy, and was thrown into prison. It took seven years for him to reclaim his good name. He was reappointed Governor of the Bahamas and received an annual salary this time. He died in Nassau on July 15, 1732.
Alexander Selkirk joined the Royal Navy in 1717. His ship docked in Plymouth in November 1720, but rather than visit Sophia, he remained in Plymouth. He flirted with Frances Candes, who owned a tavern, but she refused him her bed unless they married. In mid-December, they wed and Selkirk made out a new will leaving everything he owned to Frances.
