n showed him their use. He showed how they could defend
themselves. He told Friday that these weapons would kill at a distance.
He took some powder and touched a match to it. Friday was greatly
frightened.

[Illustration: ROBINSON SHOWING FRIDAY HOW TO SHOOT]

Robinson then proceeded to load the gun. He put in some powder, a ball
of lead or bullet. Then at the hammer he placed a little cap which gave
a flash when struck. This ignited the powder. When all was in readiness
Robinson bade Friday follow him. They went slowly out into the forest
along the stream. Soon Robinson espied a rabbit sitting under a clump of
grass. Robinson raised his gun, took careful aim, pressed the trigger.
There was a flash and loud report and there lay the rabbit dead. But
Friday, too, was lying on the ground. He had fainted from astonishment
and fright. Robinson dropped his gun and raised the poor fellow up to a
sitting position. He quickly recovered. He ran to get the rabbit. He
examined it carefully. Robinson at last pointed out the hole the bullet
had 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 every
living creature on the island. He never harmed anything except when he
needed food. He had lived so quietly that the birds and animals did not
fear him. They lived near his shelter and seemed to know him.

Robinson was delighted with his new tools and weapons. But they reminded
him of home. Nothing that he had seen in all the time he had been on the
island so turned his thoughts toward home and friends. Robinson would
sit for hours thinking of the past and making plans for the future. He
was homesick.

XL

THE RETURN OF THE SAVAGES

Robinson now renewed his plans for escaping from the island to Friday's
country. They first rebuilt their boat with their new tools. They
hollowed out the center till the sides were thin toward the top. They
shaped her sides and keel. They made her prow sharp so that she would
cut 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 of
extra oars. They made boxes and cupboards in the prow and stern for
keeping their fresh water and provisions. Friday's eyes sparkled with
joy when it was done. He hoped he would now be able to return to his own
island and parents. Robinson noticed his joy and asked him, "Do you want
to return to your own