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.
They promised to be back in eight or nine days. Robinson and Friday made
every preparation to receive the guests. They were to have a home not
far from Robinson's built of poles, and thatched with the long marsh
grasses, like Robinson's bower. There was no need of hiding or
defending it. It did not take long to fix it up.
Eight days had now passed since the boat had left. Friday could hardly
restrain himself longer. He watched the ocean all the time. He would go
to the top of the hill with the field glasses every hour during the day
to catch a first glimpse of them.
[Illustration: ROBINSON AND FRIDAY SEE A SHIP]
On the ninth day, as Friday put up his glasses to search the waters he
dropped them with a yell of surprise. He tore down the hill with the
utmost speed and rushed up to Robinson as one gone mad. "Look, look, O
Master!" he cried, "a big ship; a big ship way out on the sea!" Robinson
took the glasses, and sure enough, there within hailing distance was a
large ocean going vessel. Robinson was overcome with excitement.
For twenty-eight years his aching eyes had scanned the waters for this
welcome 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 his
cheeks. He would soon have news from home. He ran to the shore and shot
off a gun to attract the attention of those on board. He heard answering
shots at once.
Soon a boat was lowered and in it three men rowed toward the shore. It
was the captain himself and two sailors. The captain was astonished to
find a man in the lonely island. Robinson told how it all had happened
and how he would like to return home. To his unspeakable delight the
captain told him that the ship was bound for New York and would take him
along free of charge, but he must leave that day. The ship could not be
delayed any longer. Of course Robinson would go. Friday was beside
himself with grief. He did not want to be left behind alone. He did not
know that the Spaniards would ever return. Something might happen to
them on the sea. But before the eventful day the Spaniards landed. They
brought word that Friday's father had died after his return home. Friday
was thrown into a fit of grief at the news. He wept and repeated over
and over his praise of the good man.
XLII
ROBINSON AT HOME
It was with a sad heart that Robinson made ready to leave. Every
familiar place seemed now doubly dear to him. He went from one to
another 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. He
had made them all. Which should he take? He hesitated long. He must take
home some of his belongings to show the people at home. And there were
his parrot and the dog which had won a place in Robinson's heart. He
decided to take them along. At length he got together his diary, his
parasol, his Bible, his treasures, a suit of clothes, his dog, and a
hat. He had saved, too, his bow and arrows. These he decided to take
along. Everything else he gave to his good man Friday and the Spaniard
who wished to be allowed to remain on the island.
[Illustration: ROBINSON LEAVING THE ISLAND]
Robinson kissed Friday tenderly. He with great effort finally tore
himself away and ran to the shore where the ship's boat awaited him. But
Robinson 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 the
water and swam after him shouting, "Master, take me with you, I would
rather die than stay here without you." Robinson was touched at the
devotion showed by the faithful Friday, and gave orders to turn the
boat back, and take him on board. The anchor was raised. The ship
started on her way to the home Robinson had left so long ago.
The wind was favorable and in seven weeks the spires and buildings of
his native city were in sight. His vessel came slowly up to the wharf
where he had taken ship so many years ago. Here, too, he had played and
idled his time away. He remembered it all. His idleness and playing
truant 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 astonished
and confused by the din, hurry and bustle of a great city. Friday seemed
dazed by it all and clung to Robinson's side. The buildings were so
tall, the street cars, the carriages were different. Everywhere there
were iron machines, casting out smoke, puffing and running about on iron
rails. Robinson had never seen these.
Robinson, however, did not stop to admire; he pushed on to a certain
street 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 heart
of the city. Upon inquiry he found, after much searching, that his
father had removed his store and home to another part of the city, his
mother had died of grief for her disobedient son. Robinson was sorely
grieved at this. He had hoped to see her and tell her how sorry he was
that he had caused her so much anxiety and sorrow.
When he had found the place where his father lived he stole quietly up
to 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 are
you?" he said. "I am Robinson, your long-lost son." He knelt by his
father's side and asked forgiveness for all the trouble he had caused.
His father was overcome. He could not speak. He drew Robinson with
feeble hands to his breast. "My son, I forgive you," he said.
Robinson's boyhood friends heard of his strange return. They had thought
him dead long ago. They never tired of hearing him tell his strange
story. They pitied him in his misfortune. But Robinson told them that it
all happened to him because he was idle and disobedient in his youth.
Robinson at once relieved his father at the store. The business
thrived. His father died. He soon had a home of his own with a happy
family. Friday, the dog, and the parrot lived in it, dearly beloved and
cared for by their master the rest of their days. In the home there is a
young Robinson who loves to hear his father read from his diary of the
wonderful things that happened on the island.
Robinson tried many times to find the rightful owner of the gold and
jewels, but never succeeded. At last he gave them to a school where boys
with idle habits were taught to lead useful and industrious lives.
End of Project Gutenberg's An American Robinson Crusoe, by Samuel. B. Allison