t he had
no needles or thread. They went at once to procure these important
articles. In looking for needles and thread, Robinson found a small
trunk full of money and valuable stones. There were diamonds, rubies,
pearls, and much gold. Robinson pushed it to one side. "What can I do
with riches on this island? I would give them all for some needles and
thread," he said to Friday. But on second thought he took the trunk and
its contents along with him to his cave. For in the trunk were also
letters and writings. "Perhaps," he said, "these tell to whom the
valuables belong and I can return them some time."

Robinson at last found a case containing everything one could need with
which to cut and sew cloth. There were scissors, thread, needles,
thimbles, tapes, and buttons. But now the wind was rising and they must
hurry. They were nearly ready for departure. They were passing through a
part of the ship not before visited. They were surprised to hear a sound
coming from a room whose door was kept shut by a heap of stuff that had
been thrown against it by the violent pitching of the ship in the storm.
Robinson and Friday cleared away the rubbish and were surprised to find
a dog almost drowned. He was so weak from want of food that his cries
could be heard a short distance only. Robinson took him tenderly in his
arms and carried him to the boat, while Friday carried the sewing case
and the trunk.

The wind was now blowing a gale. A few yards from the ship they were in
great danger. Robinson grasped the rudder and made Friday stand ready to
cut away the mast in case they found the wind too strong. With the
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. Robinso