Page 41 - An American Robinson Crusoe

greatest difficulty they finally made the little cove at the mouth of the creek and were soon landed with their
precious cargo. The next morning they eagerly searched the waters for the ship. Not even their field glasses
could reveal anything of it. Some planks, a mast, and parts of a small boat were blown on shore. All else had
disappeared.

Robinson set to work at once to make a door for his bower out of the pine wood cast up by the waves. How
easy the work proceeded with saws, hammers, augers, squares, planes, nails, hinges, and screws! With the
wagon too, Friday could now gather his corn quickly and easily, or haul in a great quantity of grapes to dry for
raisins.

Friday had never seen a gun. He did not know the use of firearms. The muskets that Robinson had brought
from the ship were a great mystery to him. Robinson showed him their use. He showed how they could defend
themselves. He told Friday that these weapons would kill at a distance. He took some powder and touched a
match to it. Friday was greatly frightened.

[Illustration: ROBINSON SHOWING FRID AY HOW TO SHOOT]

Robinson then proceeded to load the gun. He put in some powder, a ball of lead or bullet. Then at the hammer
he placed a little cap which gave a flash when struck. This ignited the powder. When all was in readiness
Robinson bade Friday follow him. They went slowly out into the forest along the stream. Soon Robinson
espied a rabbit sitting under a clump of grass. Robinson raised his gun, took careful aim, pressed the trigger.
There was a flash and loud report and there lay the rabbit dead. But Friday, too, was lying on the ground. He
had fainted from astonishment and fright. Robinson dropped his gun and raised the poor fellow up to a sitting
position. He quickly recovered. He ran to get the rabbit. He examined it carefully. Robinson at last pointed out
the hole the bullet had made and the mystery of the way the rabbit was killed was solved.

Robinson had lived alone so long that he had learned to love every living creature on the island. He never
harmed anything except when he needed food. He had lived so quietly that the birds and animals did not fear
him. They lived near his shelter and seemed to know him.

Robinson was delighted with his new tools and weapons. But they reminded him of home. Nothing that he
had seen in all the time he had been on the island so turned his thoughts toward home and friends. Robinson
would sit for hours thinking of the past and making plans for the future. He was homesick.

X L

THE RETURN OF THE SAVAGES

Robinson now renewed his plans for escaping from the island to Friday'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 she would cut the water easily. They made a new mast,
strong and tall and shapely. They made larger and stronger sails and ropes. They made two pairs of extra oars.
They made boxes and cupboards in the prow and stern for keeping their fresh water and provisions. Friday's
eyes sparkled with joy when it was done. He hoped he would now be able to return to his own island and
parents. Robinson noticed his joy and asked 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.