Page 43 - An American Robinson Crusoe

soul was killed or even wounded. This gave Robinson great pleasure. He had accomplished his purpose
without bloodshed.

They could now turn to the prisoners. Robinson ran back to them and quickly cut their ropes. Robinson asked
the white man who he was, but the 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 the savage that had been a prisoner he gave a loud yell. He threw his arms around
the man, kissed him and laughed and cried for joy. He put his head on his breast and hugged him again and
again. Robinson was greatly 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 with face 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 not thought to give my father anything to eat and drink. He
must be nearly starved." And away he ran toward the shelter and was soon back with food and water to drink.

[Illustration: FRIDAY AND HIS FATHER]

Robinson learned through Friday from his father that the white man was a Spaniard, that he had been captured
by the tribe that had a battle with Friday's people. The Spaniard was one of sixteen men that had been saved
by Friday's people from a wrecked ship. So weak were the prisoners that they could not walk to the shelter.
Robinson and Friday made a litter and carried them one after the other. When once there, Friday prepared
some rich rice soup. The prisoners ate heartily and in a few days were strong enough to go about the island.

X LI

DELIVERANCE A T LAST

Friday had not forgotten the plan for going to his home. He would often mention it and spent hours talking
about it during the long rainy season. But now that the Spaniard and Friday's father had come into the family,
Robinson felt he must change his plans a little. He felt very sorry for the Spaniards left in Friday's country.
They did not have enough to eat and were sick and sad besides. He talked the matter over with the Spaniard
many times. They at last planned to send for them. The Spaniard and Friday's father were to go. Robinson was
for doing it at once. But the Spaniard advised delay. "How can we get food for ourselves and fifteen others?
Your small store will soon be used up," he argued. Robinson at last saw that this difficulty must be overcome.
There was just one thing to do, and this, to delay their departure until a new crop of corn could be raised. This
would take six months.

But at it they went. The four men could do much and work fast. They cleared more ground and planted all the
seed corn they could spare from their store. Besides this they sowed about twelve bushels of barley they had
gotten in the ship.

The care for so much crop, its harvesting and storing away, kept them very busy for the season. Robinson not
only did this, but also increased his flock of goats by catching kids and putting them in his pasture. He
gathered, too, all the grapes he could and dried them on the branches of trees.

At the end of the harvesting season, they made ready their boat. They filled it with all the bread it could well
carry. They put in raisins and fresh water. Robinson gave the Spaniard and Friday's father each a musket and
plenty of powder and bullets. Now, all was ready. Friday gave his father a loving farewell. He stretched out
his arms towards him as the boat moved away. The Spaniard and Robinson waved their hats and they were
off.