Page 40 - An American Robinson Crusoe

cartridges. Then they went to the work-room. There were saws, hammers, spades, shovels, chisels, nails,
bottles, and pails, knives and forks. And something more, over which Robinson was most glad, matches. At
last they came into the store-room. There lay bags of flour and barley, teas, lentils, beans and sugar. Then
Robinson embraced Friday in his great joy and said to him, "How rich we are!"

X X X IX

SAVING THINGS FROM THE SHIP

After Robinson had looked through the ship he began to plan the way to get the tools and things he most
wanted on shore. He and Friday first carried everything together that he wanted to take on shore. When they
had done this, he found he had the following things. Robinson stood 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 his boat. He himself took the Bible and then
they rowed to the shore, and unloaded the boat. Everything was put into the bower where rain could not harm
it. By the time they had this done, night was coming on and they decided to do no more that day, but wait
until the next day.

"We must work fast," said Robinson. "The first storm is likely to break the ship in pieces and destroy
everything in it."

The next morning early they ate a hastily prepared breakfast and were off to the boat. Neither Robinson nor
Friday stopped for their noonday lunch. "A storm is brewing," said Robinson, "the air is calm, the sky is
overcast with clouds, the heat is oppressive. We must hurry." With the utmost diligence they rowed back and
forth all day. They made nine trips. They had now on shore a surprising quantity of all kinds of tools, goods
and weapons. They had all kinds of ware to use in the kitchen, clothes, and food. Robinson prized a little
four-wheeled wagon and a whetstone.

But in looking over his stores, Robinson suddenly discovered that he had no needles or thread. They went at
once to procure these important articles. In looking for needles and thread, Robinson found a small trunk full
of money and valuable stones. There were diamonds, rubies, pearls, and much gold. Robinson pushed it to one
side. "What can I do with riches on this island? I would give them all for some needles and thread," he said to
Friday. But on second thought he took the trunk and its contents along with him to his cave. For in the trunk
were also letters and writings. "Perhaps," he said, "these tell to whom the valuables belong and I can return
them some time."

Robinson at last found a case containing everything one could need with which to cut and sew cloth. There
were scissors, thread, needles, thimbles, tapes, and buttons. But now the wind was rising and they must hurry.
They were nearly ready for departure. They were passing through a part of the ship not before visited. They
were surprised to hear a sound coming from a room whose door was kept shut by a heap of stuff that had been
thrown against it by the violent pitching of the ship in the storm. Robinson and Friday cleared away the
rubbish and were surprised to find a dog almost drowned. He was so weak from want of food that his cries
could be heard a short distance only. Robinson took him tenderly in his arms and carried him to the boat,
while Friday carried the sewing case and the trunk.

The wind was now blowing a gale. A few yards from the ship they were in great danger. Robinson grasped the
rudder and made Friday stand ready to cut away the mast in case they found the wind too strong. With the