The care for so much crop, its harvesting and storing away, kept themvery busy for the season. Robinson not only did this, but also increasedhis flock of goats by catching kids and putting them in his pasture. Hegathered, too, all the grapes he could and dried them on the branches oftrees.
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 each amusket and plenty of powder and bullets. Now, all was ready. Friday gavehis father a loving farewell. He stretched out his arms towards him asthe boat moved away. The Spaniard and Robinson waved their hats and theywere off.
They promised to be back in eight or nine days. Robinson and Friday madeevery preparation to receive the guests. They were to have a home notfar from Robinson's built of poles, and thatched with the long marshgrasses, 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 would goto the top of the hill with the field glasses every hour during the dayto 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 waters hedropped them with a yell of surprise. He tore down the hill with theutmost speed and rushed up to Robinson as one gone mad. "Look, look, OMaster!" he cried, "a big ship; a big ship way out on the sea!" Robinsontook the glasses, and sure enough, there within hailing distance was alarge ocean going vessel. Robinson was overcome with excitement.
For twenty-eight years his aching eyes had scanned the waters for thiswelcome sight. His joy was boundless. The ship looked like an American.Yes, there floated the American flag! How welcome a sight to Robinson.He could not utter a word. Tears filled his eyes and streamed down hischeeks. He would soon have news from home. He ran to the shore and shotoff a gun to attract the attention of those on board. He heard answeringshots at once.
Soon a boat was lowered and in it three men rowed toward the shore. Itwas the captain himself and two sailors. The captain was astonished tofind 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 take himalong free of charge, but he must leave that day. The ship could not bedelayed any longer. Of course Robinson would go. Friday was besidehimself with grief. He did not want to be left behind alone. He did notknow that the Spaniards would ever return. Something might happen tothem on the sea. But before the eventful day the Spaniards landed. Theybrought word that Friday's father had died after his return home. Fridaywas thrown into a fit of grief at the news. He wept and repeated overand over his praise of the good man.
XLII
ROBINSON AT HOME
It was with a sad heart that Robinson made ready to leave. Everyfamiliar place seemed now doubly dear to him. He went from one toanother with tears in his eyes. Here lay his home. Here were his fields,his crops and his goats. Everything was the work of his own hands. Hehad made them all. Which should he take? He hesitated long. He must takehome some of his belongings to show the people at home. And there werehis parrot and the dog which had won a place in Robinson's heart. Hedecided to take them along. At length he got together his diary, hisparasol, his Bible, his treasures, a suit of clothes, his dog, and ahat. He had saved, too, his bow and arrows. These he decided to takealong. Everything else he gave to his good man Friday and the Spaniardwho wished to be allowed to remain on the island.
ROBINSON LEAVING THE ISLAND]
Robinson kissed Friday tenderly. He with great effort finally torehimself away and ran to the shore where the ship's boat awaited him. ButRobinson had not counted on the strength of Friday's love for him.Robinson's boat had not yet reached the ship when Friday sprang into thewater and swam after him shouting, "Master, take me with you, I wouldrather die than stay here without you." Robinson was touched at thedevotion showed by the faithful Friday, and gave orders to turn theboat back, and take him on board. The anchor was raised. The shipstarted on her way to the home Robinson had left so long ago.
The wind was favorable and in seven weeks the spires and buildings ofhis native city were in sight. His vessel came slowly up to the wharfwhere he had taken ship so many years ago. Here, too, he had played andidled his time away. He remembered it all. His idleness and playingtruant came back in sad memories. Before Robinson and Friday landed,their good friend the captain gave them each a new suit of clothes.
Everything had changed. He scarcely knew the place. He was astonishedand confused by the din, hurry and bustle of a great city. Friday seemeddazed by it all and clung to Robinson's side. The buildings were sotall, the street cars, the carriages were different. Everywhere therewere iron machines, casting out smoke, puffing and running about on ironrails. Robinson had never seen these.
Robinson, however, did not stop to admire; he pushed on to a certainstreet and house where lived his parents at the time of his departure.It was with difficulty that he found the place. It was now in the heartof the city. Upon inquiry he found, after much searching, that hisfather had removed his store and home to another part of the city, hismother had died of grief for her disobedient son. Robinson was sorelygrieved at this. He had hoped to see her and tell her how sorry he wasthat he had caused her so much anxiety and sorrow.
When he had found the place where his father lived he stole quietly upto the house and opened the door. His father, now a gray-haired man,bent with age and sorrow, was sitting in his arm-chair reading.
Robinson came forward, but his father did not recognize him. "Who areyou?" he said. "I am Robinson, your long-lost son." He knelt by hisfather's side and asked forgiveness for all the trouble he had caused.His father was overcome. He could not speak. He drew Robinson withfeeble hands to his breast. "My son, I forgive you," he said.
Robinson's boyhood friends heard of his strange return. They had thoughthim dead long ago. They never tired of hearing him tell his strangestory. They pitied him in his misfortune. But Robinson told them that itall happened to him because he was idle and disobedient in his youth.
Robinson at once relieved his father at the store. The businessthrived. His father died. He soon had a home of his own with a happyfamily. Friday, the dog, and the parrot lived in it, dearly beloved andcared for by their master the rest of their days. In the home there is ayoung Robinson who loves to hear his father read from his diary of thewonderful things that happened on the island.
Robinson tried many times to find the rightful owner of the gold andjewels, but never succeeded. At last he gave them to a school where boyswith idle habits were taught to lead useful and industrious lives.
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