Where does Crusoe intend to go in the water with his canoe?

Crusoe wanted to be able to get over to the shore..... or to escape if necessary.

"All the while these things were doing, you may be sure my thoughts run

many times upon the prospect of land which I had seen from the other side

of the island, and I was not without secret wishes that I were on shore there,

fancying the seeing the mainland, and in an inhabited country, I might find

some way or other to convey myself farther, and perhaps at last find some

means of escape."