on land he fell on his knees and with
tears in his eyes thanked God for his deliverance. The island which had
seemed to him a prison now seemed the fairest and dearest place in the
world.
Having made his boat safe he started back toward his shelter. But he was
too tired to go far. He soon came to a little grove of trees beneath
which he laid himself down and soon was fast asleep.
You can imagine with what surprise Robinson was awakened out of his
sleep by a voice calling his name. "Robinson, Robinson Crusoe," it said,
"poor Robinson Crusoe! Where are you Robinson, where have you been?"
[Illustration]
He was so fast asleep that he did not at first rouse up entirely and
thought he was dreaming. But the voice kept calling, "Robinson,
Robinson, poor Robinson Crusoe!" He was greatly frightened and started
up. But no sooner were his eyes opened than he saw his parrot sitting on
a branch of a tree. He knew at once the source of the voice.
Polly had missed her master and was also exploring the island. It was a
pleasant surprise. She immediately flew to him and lit on his shoulder.
She showed in many ways how glad she was to see him and kept saying,
"Poor Robinson, poor Robinson Crusoe!"
Robinson remained here over night and the next morning made his way back
to the shelter. Up to this time Robinson had never seen any dangerous
animals on the island. He had grown used to life there and went about
without fear of animals. But as he was returning across a little
opening, he saw a clump of palms in the centre of the opening, swaying
about. He did not at first see what caused this, but soon there was
thrust out the head of a great serpent. Its jaws were open and its eyes
were fixed on a poor terrified little rabbit. The rabbit seemed rooted
to the spot. It could not stir a muscle and was soon caught in the folds
of the great snake.
This sight made Robinson greatly afraid. He wanted to rush to the rescue
of the rabbit, but what could he do against such a foe? He resolved in
the future to keep a more careful watch and always to sleep in his
bower.
Robinson had enough of exploring for some time. He was contented to
remain at home. He made many things he needed. He had saved all the
skins of the goats he had killed for meat and all that had died from any
cause. These he made into rugs for his bed. He kept at his loom too, for
he was anxious to weave enough of his coarse cloth to make him a suit of
clothes. He learned h
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