XXXVIII
ANOTHER SHIPWRECK
One evening Robinson sat in his shelter thinking of his plans to escapeto Friday's country. He was sad. For, after all, this place was verydear to him. It was the only home he had. Had he not made everythingwith his own hands? It was doubly dear to him on this account. Hethought how it would grieve him to leave his goats, his fields, and themany comforts he had here.
He had been telling Friday of his home in New York. He told him of thegreat city, and of its many wonderful sights. He told him of his countryand people, of his flag and its history. All these things brought backmemories of his boyhood and he wondered what changes had come in hislong absence. Friday, with wonderful intelligence, listened to allRobinson told him. He was delighted in hearing Robinson tell of thewonders of the great world, for he had never known anything about it. Asthey talked Robinson noticed the approach of a storm. The sky wasgetting black with clouds. The winds were blowing a hurricane. The waveswere coming in mountain high. It reminded him of the eventful night nowtwenty-five years ago when his ship was tossed up on the shore like anegg shell and broken to pieces.
Suddenly there was a sound that made Robinson start from his seat withthe wildest alarm. Was it the sound of a cannon from the ocean or theterrible crash and roar of the water on the rocks of the coast? There itis again; it is a cannon! Some ship is in distress! This is its signal!Robinson ran out and down to the shore with Friday at his heels.
"O master!" said Friday, "can we not help? If they only knew the islandwas here and how to steer into the harbor beyond the point of land onthe south."
Robinson was so excited that he scarcely knew what he was doing. He ranup and down the shore calling wildly, but the awful roar of the sea andwind drowned his cries. Suddenly his thoughts came to him. "Quick,Friday, get some fire in a pot. We will run to the point, gather grassand wood, and make a fire there. Maybe we can guide them into theharbor."
They soon had a great beacon light sending its welcome greeting far overthe sea. The pilot of the ship saw it and steered his ship nearer andnearer. Robinson was ready to shout for joy as the ship seemed about tomake the harbor. The ship had her sails torn in shreds and her rudderbroken. It was hard to steer her in such a gale. On rounding the point,she was blown on the rocks. With a frightful crash which could be heardabove the din of the storm she struck and held fast. Robinson could hearthe cries of the men and the orders of the officers. They were trying toget boats ready to put off, but such was the confusion of the storm andthe enormous waves breaking over the deck that it could not be donequickly. Before the men could get a boat into the sea, and get into it,the ship gave a lurch to one side as though about to sink. All the menjumped for one boat. It was overburdened. The wind tossed it about. Thesea soon filled it and it went down and all were lost.
Robinson and Friday remained on the shore all night. They watched to seeif they could not help some poor sailor that might cling to a plank andbe blown on shore. They saw no one.
At last they lay down, but they could not sleep. Many times they sprangup and ran about for fear that some poor fellow would need their help.At last morning came. The storm ceased. Robinson and Friday searchedeverywhere for the bodies of the sailors, but could find none. But thewind had blown the ship in plain view, and into shallow waters. It waslying on the bottom with more than half its bulk out of the water. Themasts were gone. It was a sad sight. No human being could be seen on it.
They were now rejoiced that they had their boat ready. "Let us take it,"said Robinson "and go out to the ship. It may be some person is still onthe unfortunate ship." They were soon by the ship's side. They rowedaround it until they saw a rope hanging down from the deck. Robinsonseized this and clambered up. Friday tied the boat fast, and followed.Robinson opened the door leading from the deck into the ship and wentdown. He searched in all the cabins, and knocked at all the doors. Hecalled, but all was still. When he was satisfied that every person onboard had been drowned he wept bitterly.
Friday stood there with open and staring eyes. He looked and looked. Hewas astonished at the large ship and at the wonderful things before him.They were in the cabin where the passengers had been. There stoodtrunks under the benches and clothes hung on the hooks on the wall. Onetrunk was open. In it were telescopes through which the travelers hadlooked at the land. Robinson saw also paper, pens, pen-holders and ink.Books were also near by. Robinson first took a thick book. It was theBible, out of which his mother had so often taught him. Then they cameto the sailors' cabin. There hung muskets and swords and bags of shotand cartridges. Then they went to the work-room. There were saws,hammers, spades, shovels, chisels, nails, bottles, and pails, knives andforks. And something more, over which Robinson was most glad, matches.At last they came into the store-room. There lay bags of flour andbarley, teas, lentils, beans and sugar. Then Robinson embraced Friday inhis 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 way toget the tools and things he most wanted on shore. He and Friday firstcarried everything together that he wanted to take on shore. When theyhad done this, he found he had the following things. Robinson stoodeverything 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 to breakthe 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 sky isovercast with clouds, the heat is oppressive. We must hurry." With theutmost 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-wheeled wagonand a whetstone.
But in looking over his stores, Robinson suddenly discovered that he hadno 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 I dowith riches on this island? I would give them all for some needles andthread," he said to Friday. But on second thought he took the trunk andits contents along with him to his cave. For in the trunk were alsoletters and writings. "Perhaps," he said, "these tell to whom thevaluables belong and I can return them some time."
Robinson at last found a case containing everything one could need withwhich to cut and sew cloth. There were scissors, thread, needles,thimbles, tapes, and buttons. But now the wind was rising and they musthurry. They were nearly ready for departure. They were passing through apart of the ship not before visited. They were surprised to hear a soundcoming from a room whose door was kept shut by a heap of stuff that hadbeen thrown against it by the violent pitching of the ship in the storm.Robinson and Friday cleared away the rubbish and were surprised to finda dog almost drowned. He was so weak from want of food that his criescould be heard a short distance only. Robinson took him tenderly in hisarms and carried him to the boat, while Friday carried the sewing caseand the trunk.
The wind was now blowing a ga
le. A few yards from the ship they were ingreat danger. Robinson grasped the rudder and made Friday stand ready tocut away the mast in case they found the wind too strong. With thegreatest difficulty they finally made the little cove at the mouth ofthe creek and were soon landed with their precious cargo. The nextmorning they eagerly searched the waters for the ship. Not even theirfield glasses could reveal anything of it. Some planks, a mast, andparts 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 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, or haulin 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 mystery tohim. Robinson showed him their use. He showed how they could defendthemselves. He told Friday that these weapons would kill at a distance.He took some powder and touched a match to it. Friday was greatlyfrightened.
ROBINSON SHOWING FRIDAY HOW TO SHOOT]
Robinson then proceeded to load the gun. He put in some powder, a ballof lead or bullet. Then at the hammer he placed a little cap which gavea flash when struck. This ignited the powder. When all was in readinessRobinson bade Friday follow him. They went slowly out into the forestalong the stream. Soon Robinson espied a rabbit sitting under a clump ofgrass. Robinson raised his gun, took careful aim, pressed the trigger.There was a flash and loud report and there lay the rabbit dead. ButFriday, too, was lying on the ground. He had fainted from astonishmentand fright. Robinson dropped his gun and raised the poor fellow up to asitting position. He quickly recovered. He ran to get the rabbit. Heexamined it carefully. Robinson at last pointed out the hole the bullethad 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 everyliving creature on the island. He never harmed anything except when heneeded food. He had lived so quietly that the birds and animals did notfear him. They lived near his shelter and seemed to know him.
Robinson was delighted with his new tools and weapons. But they remindedhim of home. Nothing that he had seen in all the time he had been on theisland so turned his thoughts toward home and friends. Robinson wouldsit for hours thinking of the past and making plans for the future. Hewas homesick.
XL
THE RETURN OF THE SAVAGES
Robinson now renewed his plans for escaping from the island to Friday'scountry. They first rebuilt their boat with their new tools. Theyhollowed out the center till the sides were thin toward the top. Theyshaped her sides and keel. They made her prow sharp so that she wouldcut 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 ofextra oars. They made boxes and cupboards in the prow and stern forkeeping their fresh water and provisions. Friday's eyes sparkled withjoy when it was done. He hoped he would now be able to return to his ownisland and parents. Robinson noticed his joy and asked him, "Do you wantto 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 when youplease." "Yes, Master, but you come too, my people will not hurt you."Robinson resolved to venture over to Friday's land with him.
But before their preparations were complete the rainy season of our fallset in. They resolved to wait until the weather was settled and as soonas the rainy season was over to set out. They ran their boat well upinto the creek and covered it over with a large tarpaulin made ofsail-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 he wasthrown up on the island. Robinson celebrated it this year with more thanthe usual thankfulness. He thought that it would be his last anniversaryon the island.
One morning, Friday had gone to the beach to find a turtle. Soon he camerunning back out of breath. "O Master," he cried, "they are coming, theyare coming to take me prisoner!" He was trembling with fright.
"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 in hisbelt, where he also fastened a sword. He gave Friday a pistol and amusket, for Friday had learned to shoot well. Besides Friday carried abag 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 with afeast. They probably intended to kill their prisoners. "We must save thelives of those men," said Robinson.
The savages this time had landed quite near Robinson's shelter, not morethan a half mile below the creek's mouth. Soon he and Friday startedoff. Robinson commanded Friday to follow quietly and not to speak orshoot.
"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. Theirfaces and bodies were painted to make them look terrible to theirenemies. They were dancing around their prisoners with hideous cries andgestures. They could now see the prisoners plainly. One had a beard andwas plainly a white man. Robinson was surprised and determined to savehim 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 their heelsand 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 and hewanted to kill all he could. "Let's fire on them," he said. "Let's killall 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 muskets inthe air. If the ground had suddenly exploded beneath their feet therecould have been no more confusion, astonishment, and fright. A few tookto their heels. Others lay as if dead. They had swooned from fright. Butas Robinson came up they jumped to their feet and pushed into the boats,leaving the prisoners behind. Robinson and Friday still rushed forwardand fired their remaining loaded guns and pistols in the air. Thesavages made all haste to get into their boats and push off. Soon theywere well out to sea, paddling rapidly for the west. Robinson reloadedhis arms and gave them a farewell volley, but not a soul was killed oreven wounded. This gave Robinson great pleasure. He had accomplished hispurpose 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. WhenFriday came running back from watching the boats and saw the savage thathad been a prisoner he gave a loud yell. He threw his arms around theman, kissed him and laughed and cried for joy. He put his head on hisbreast and hugged him again and again. Robinson was greatly surprisedand puzzled. He asked Friday what his actions meant. But so intent wasFriday that he got no answer.
At last Friday recovered far enough from his great joy to say with facebeaming with delight, "O, Master, this man is my dear father." They atonce began a long conversation, each one told his story. Suddenly Fridayjumped up and said, "How foolish I am, I have not thought to give myfather anything to eat and drink. He must be nearly starved." And awayhe ran toward the shelter and was soon b
ack with food and water todrink.
FRIDAY AND HIS FATHER]
Robinson learned through Friday from his father that the white man was aSpaniard, that he had been captured by the tribe that had a battle withFriday's people. The Spaniard was one of sixteen men that had been savedby Friday's people from a wrecked ship. So weak were the prisoners thatthey could not walk to the shelter. Robinson and Friday made a litterand carried them one after the other. When once there, Friday preparedsome rich rice soup. The prisoners ate heartily and in a few days werestrong enough to go about the island.
XLI
DELIVERANCE AT LAST
Friday had not forgotten the plan for going to his home. He would oftenmention it and spent hours talking about it during the long rainyseason. But now that the Spaniard and Friday's father had come into thefamily, Robinson felt he must change his plans a little. He felt verysorry for the Spaniards left in Friday's country. They did not haveenough to eat and were sick and sad besides. He talked the matter overwith the Spaniard many times. They at last planned to send for them. TheSpaniard and Friday's father were to go. Robinson was for doing it atonce. But the Spaniard advised delay. "How can we get food for ourselvesand fifteen others? Your small store will soon be used up," he argued.Robinson at last saw that this difficulty must be overcome. There wasjust one thing to do, and this, to delay their departure until a newcrop of corn could be raised. This would take six 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 spare fromtheir store. Besides this they sowed about twelve bushels of barley theyhad gotten in the ship.