Robinson and Friday remained on the shore all night. They watched tosee if they could not help some poor sailor that might cling to aplank and be blown on shore. They saw no one.
At last they lay down, but they could not sleep. Many times theysprang up and ran about for fear that some poor fellow would needtheir help. At last morning came. The storm ceased. Robinson andFriday searched everywhere for the bodies of the sailors, but couldfind none. But the wind had blown the ship in plain view, and intoshallow waters. It was lying on the bottom with more than half itsbulk out of the water. The masts were gone. It was a sad sight. Nohuman being could be seen on it.
They were now rejoiced that they had their boat ready. "Let us takeit," said Robinson "and go out to the ship. It may be some person isstill on the unfortunate ship." They were soon by the ship's side.They rowed around it until they saw a rope hanging down from the deck.Robinson seized this and clambered up. Friday tied the boat fast, andfollowed. Robinson opened the door leading from the deck into the shipand went down. He searched in all the cabins, and knocked at all thedoors. He called, but all was still. When he was satisfied that everyperson on board had been drowned he wept bitterly.
Friday stood there with open and staring eyes. He looked and looked.He was astonished at the large ship and at the wonderful things beforehim. They were in the cabin where the passengers had been. There stoodtrunks under the benches and clothes hung on the hooks on the wall.One trunk was open. In it were telescopes through which the travelershad looked at the land. Robinson saw also paper, pens, pen-holdersand ink. Books were also near by. Robinson first took a thick book.It was the Bible, out of which his mother had so often taught him.Then they came to the sailors' cabin. There hung muskets and swordsand bags of shot and cartridges. Then they went to the work-room. Therewere saws, hammers, spades, shovels, chisels, nails, bottles, and pails,knives and forks. And something more, over which Robinson was mostglad, matches. At last they came into the store-room. There lay bagsof flour and barley, teas, lentils, beans and sugar. Then Robinsonembraced Friday in his great joy and said to him, "How rich we are!"
XXXIX
SAVING THINGS FROM THE SHIP
After Robinson had looked through the ship he began to plan the wayto get the tools and things he most wanted on shore. He and Fridayfirst carried everything together that he wanted to take on shore.When they had done this, he found he had the following things. Robinsonstood everything together that he needed most.
1. A case of nails and screws. 2. Two iron axes and several hatchets. 3. A saw. 4. A small case of planes, tongs, augers, files, chisels, etc. 5. A third case with iron brackets, hooks, hinges, etc. 6. A case of matches. 7. A barrel of gunpowder. 8. Two muskets and a pistol. 9. Several swords. 10. A bag of cartridges. 11. A large sail cloth and some rope. 12. A telescope.
By means of the ship's ropes, Robinson let everything down into hisboat. He himself took the Bible and then they rowed to the shore, andunloaded the boat. Everything was put into the bower where rain couldnot harm it. By the time they had this done, night was coming on andthey decided to do no more that day, but wait until the next day.
"We must work fast," said Robinson. "The first storm is likely tobreak the ship in pieces and destroy everything in it."
The next morning early they ate a hastily prepared breakfast and wereoff to the boat. Neither Robinson nor Friday stopped for their noondaylunch. "A storm is brewing," said Robinson, "the air is calm, the skyis overcast with clouds, the heat is oppressive. We must hurry." Withthe utmost diligence they rowed back and forth all day. They made ninetrips. They had now on shore a surprising quantity of all kinds oftools, goods and weapons. They had all kinds of ware to use in thekitchen, clothes, and food. Robinson prized a little four-wheeledwagon and a whetstone.
But in looking over his stores, Robinson suddenly discovered that hehad no needles or thread. They went at once to procure these importantarticles. In looking for needles and thread, Robinson found a smalltrunk full of money and valuable stones. There were diamonds, rubies,pearls, and much gold. Robinson pushed it to one side. "What can Ido with riches on this island? I would give them all for some needlesand thread," he said to Friday. But on second thought he took the trunkand its contents along with him to his cave. For in the trunk werealso letters and writings. "Perhaps," he said, "these tell to whomthe valuables belong and I can return them some time."
Robinson at last found a case containing everything one could needwith which to cut and sew cloth. There were scissors, thread, needles,thimbles, tapes, and buttons. But now the wind was rising and theymust hurry. They were nearly ready for departure. They were passingthrough a part of the ship not before visited. They were surprisedto hear a sound coming from a room whose door was kept shut by a heapof stuff that had been thrown against it by the violent pitching ofthe ship in the storm. Robinson and Friday cleared away the rubbishand were surprised to find a dog almost drowned. He was so weak fromwant of food that his cries could be heard a short distance only. Robinsontook him tenderly in his arms and carried him to the boat, whileFriday carried the sewing case and the trunk.
The wind was now blowing a gale. A few yards from the ship they werein great danger. Robinson grasped the rudder and made Friday standready to cut away the mast in case they found the wind too strong.With the greatest difficulty they finally made the little cove at themouth of the creek and were soon landed with their precious cargo.The next morning they eagerly searched the waters for the ship. Noteven their field glasses could reveal anything of it. Some planks,a mast, and parts of a small boat were blown on shore. All else haddisappeared.
Robinson set to work at once to make a door for his bower out of thepine wood cast up by the waves. How easy the work proceeded with saws,hammers, augers, squares, planes, nails, hinges, and screws! With thewagon too, Friday could now gather his corn quickly and easily, orhaul in a great quantity of grapes to dry for raisins.
Friday had never seen a gun. He did not know the use of firearms. Themuskets that Robinson had brought from the ship were a great mysteryto him. Robinson showed him their use. He showed how they could defendthemselves. He told Friday that these weapons would kill at adistance. He took some powder and touched a match to it. Friday wasgreatly frightened.
ROBINSON SHOWING FRIDAY HOW TO SHOOT]
Robinson then proceeded to load the gun. He put in some powder, aball of lead or bullet. Then at the hammer he placed a little capwhich gave a flash when struck. This ignited the powder. When allwas in readiness Robinson bade Friday follow him. They went slowlyout into the forest along the stream. Soon Robinson espied a rabbitsitting under a clump of grass. Robinson raised his gun, took carefulaim, pressed the trigger. There was a flash and loud report and therelay the rabbit dead. But Friday, too, was lying on the ground. He hadfainted from astonishment and fright. Robinson dropped his gun andraised the poor fellow up to a sitting position. He quickly recovered.He ran to get the rabbit. He examined it carefully. Robinson at lastpointed out the hole the bullet had made and the mystery of the waythe rabbit was killed was solved.
Robinson had lived alone so long that he had learned to love everyliving creature on the island. He never harmed anything except whenhe needed food. He had lived so quietly that the birds and animalsdid not fear him. They lived near his shelter and seemed to know him.
Robinson was delighted with his new tools and weapons. But theyreminded him of home. Nothing that he had seen in all the time he hadbeen on the island so turned his thoughts toward home and friends.Robinson would sit for hours thinking of the past and making plansfor the future. He was homesick.
XL
THE RETURN OF THE SAVAGES
Robinson now renewed his plans for escaping from the island toFriday's country. They first rebuilt their boat with their new tools.They hollowed out the center till the sides were thin toward the top.They shaped her sides and keel. They made her prow sharp so that shewould cut the water easily. They made a new mast, strong and tal
l andshapely. They made larger and stronger sails and ropes. They made twopairs of extra oars. They made boxes and cupboards in the prow andstern for keeping their fresh water and provisions. Friday's eyessparkled with joy when it was done. He hoped he would now be able toreturn to his own island and parents. Robinson noticed his joy andasked him, "Do you want to return to your own people?"
"Yes," said Friday, "very much."
"Would you trust yourself in this boat?"
"Yes," said Friday.
"Very well," said his master, "you may have it and start home whenyou please.". "Yes, Master, but you come too, my people will not hurtyou." Robinson resolved to venture over to Friday's land with him.
But before their preparations were complete the rainy season of ourfall set in. They resolved to wait until the weather was settled andas soon as the rainy season was over to set out. They ran their boatwell up into the creek and covered it over with a large tarpaulin madeof sail-cloth obtained from the ship.
Robinson had now been on the island twenty-seven years. For the lastthree years he had lived happily with his companion Friday. Every yearin September, Robinson celebrated the day his life was saved and hewas thrown up on the island. Robinson celebrated it this year withmore than the usual thankfulness. He thought that it would be his lastanniversary on the island.
One morning, Friday had gone to the beach to find a turtle. Soon hecame running back out of breath. "O Master," he cried, "they arecoming, they are coming to take me prisoner!" He was trembling withfright.
"We must take our guns and defend ourselves," said Robinson. "But wewill not kill anyone unless they attack us." This quieted Friday. Theyloaded four muskets and three pistols. Robinson put the pistols inhis belt, where he also fastened a sword. He gave Friday a pistol anda musket, for Friday had learned to shoot well. Besides Friday carrieda bag of powder and bullets. Robinson took his field glasses and sawtwenty-one savages with two prisoners. The prisoners were bound andlying on the ground. This was a war party celebrating a victory witha feast. They probably intended to kill their prisoners. "We must savethe lives of those men," said Robinson.
The savages this time had landed quite near Robinson's shelter, notmore than a half mile below the creek's mouth. Soon he and Fridaystarted off. Robinson commanded Friday to follow quietly and not tospeak or shoot.
"We will surprise them and give them a good scare," said Robinson.
When yet a considerable distance away they could hear the savagesyelling and screaming. Some of them were dancing their war dance.Their faces and bodies were painted to make them look terrible totheir enemies. They were dancing around their prisoners with hideouscries and gestures. They could now see the prisoners plainly. One hada beard and was plainly a white man. Robinson was surprised anddetermined to save him at all risks.
"Get your gun ready to fire," he said to Friday, "and when I say theword let us run forward yelling and firing our guns over their heads.This will fill them with such fright that they will take to theirheels and boats and get away as soon as possible. In the scramble andconfusion we will rush in and rescue the prisoners."
This plan did not please Friday at all. His savage blood was up andhe wanted to kill all he could. "Let's fire on them," he said. "Let'skill all but the prisoners."
"No, no," said Robinson, "it's always wrong to take life unless itcannot be avoided to save one's own. Let's try my plan first."
With great reluctance Friday consented. At a signal from Robinson theyrushed forward, and when in plain sight they fired off their musketsin the air. If the ground had suddenly exploded beneath their feetthere could have been no more confusion, astonishment, and fright.A few took to their heels. Others lay as if dead. They had swoonedfrom fright. But as Robinson came up they jumped to their feet andpushed into the boats, leaving the prisoners behind. Robinson and Fridaystill rushed forward and fired their remaining loaded guns and pistolsin the air. The savages made all haste to get into their boats andpush off. Soon they were well out to sea, paddling rapidly for thewest. Robinson reloaded his arms and gave them a farewell volley, butnot a soul was killed or even wounded. This gave Robinson greatpleasure. He had accomplished his purpose without bloodshed.
They could now turn to the prisoners. Robinson ran back to them andquickly cut their ropes. Robinson asked the white man who he was, butthe man was too weak to answer. Robinson gave him a piece of bread.
The fear of death being removed, the white man soon grew stronger.When Friday came running back from watching the boats and saw thesavage that had been a prisoner he gave a loud yell. He threw his armsaround the man, kissed him and laughed and cried for joy. He put hishead on his breast and hugged him again and again. Robinson wasgreatly surprised and puzzled. He asked Friday what his actions meant.But so intent was Friday that he got no answer.
At last Friday recovered far enough from his great joy to say withface beaming with delight, "O, Master, this man is my dear father."They at once began a long conversation, each one told his story.Suddenly Friday jumped up and said, "How foolish I am, I have notthought to give my father anything to eat and drink. He must be nearlystarved." And away he ran toward the shelter and was soon back withfood and water to drink.
FRIDAY AND HIS FATHER]
Robinson learned through Friday from his father that the white manwas a Spaniard, that he had been captured by the tribe that had a battlewith Friday's people. The Spaniard was one of sixteen men that hadbeen saved by Friday's people from a wrecked ship. So weak were theprisoners that they could not walk to the shelter. Robinson and Fridaymade a litter and carried them one after the other. When once there,Friday prepared some rich rice soup. The prisoners ate heartily andin a few days were strong enough to go about the island.
XLI
DELIVERANCE AT LAST
Friday had not forgotten the plan for going to his home. He wouldoften mention it and spent hours talking about it during the longrainy season. But now that the Spaniard and Friday's father had comeinto the family, Robinson felt he must change his plans a little. Hefelt very sorry for the Spaniards left in Friday's country. They didnot have enough to eat and were sick and sad besides. He talked thematter over with the Spaniard many times. They at last planned to sendfor them. The Spaniard and Friday's father were to go. Robinson wasfor doing it at once. But the Spaniard advised delay. "How can we getfood for ourselves and fifteen others? Your small store will soon beused up," he argued. Robinson at last saw that this difficulty mustbe overcome. There was just one thing to do, and this, to delay theirdeparture until a new crop of corn could be raised. This would takesix months.
But at it they went. The four men could do much and work fast. Theycleared more ground and planted all the seed corn they could sparefrom their store. Besides this they sowed about twelve bushels ofbarley they had gotten in the ship.
The care for so much crop, its harvesting and storing away, kept themvery busy for the season. Robinson not only did this, but alsoincreased his flock of goats by catching kids and putting them in hispasture. He gathered, too, all the grapes he could and dried them onthe branches of trees.
At the end of the harvesting season, they made ready their boat. Theyfilled it with all the bread it could well carry. They put in raisinsand fresh water. Robinson gave the Spaniard and Friday's father eacha musket and plenty of powder and bullets. Now, all was ready. Fridaygave his father a loving farewell. He stretched out his arms towardshim as the boat moved away. The Spaniard and Robinson waved their hatsand they were off.
They promised to be back in eight or nine days. Robinson and Fridaymade every preparation to receive the guests. They were to have a homenot far from Robinson's built of poles, and thatched with the longmarsh grasses, like Robinson's bower. There was no need of hiding ordefending it. It did not take long to fix it up.
Eight days had now passed since the boat had left. Friday could hardlyrestrain himself longer. He watched the ocean all the time. He wouldgo to the top of the hill with the field glasses every hour during theda
y to catch a first glimpse of them.
ROBINSON AND FRIDAY SEE A SHIP]
On the ninth day, as Friday put up his glasses to search the watershe dropped them with a yell of surprise. He tore down the hill withthe utmost speed and rushed up to Robinson as one gone mad. "Look,look, O Master!" he cried, "a big ship; a big ship way out on the sea!"Robinson took the glasses, and sure enough, there within hailingdistance was a large ocean going vessel. Robinson was overcome withexcitement.
For twenty-eight years his aching eyes had scanned the waters for thiswelcome sight. His joy was boundless. The ship looked like anAmerican. Yes, there floated the American flag! How welcome a sightto Robinson. He could not utter a word. Tears filled his eyes andstreamed down his cheeks. He would soon have news from home. He ranto the shore and shot off a gun to attract the attention of those onboard. He heard answering shots at once.
Soon a boat was lowered and in it three men rowed toward the shore.It was the captain himself and two sailors. The captain was astonishedto find a man in the lonely island. Robinson told how it all had happenedand how he would like to return home. To his unspeakable delight thecaptain told him that the ship was bound for New York and would takehim along free of charge, but he must leave that day. The ship couldnot be delayed any longer. Of course Robinson would go. Friday wasbeside himself with grief. He did not want to be left behind alone.He did not know that the Spaniards would ever return. Something mighthappen to them on the sea. But before the eventful day the Spaniardslanded. They brought word that Friday's father had died after hisreturn home. Friday was thrown into a fit of grief at the news. Hewept and repeated over and over his praise of the good man.