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 you
please." "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 fall
set in. They resolved to wait until the weather was settled and as soon
as the rainy season was over to set out. They ran their boat well up
into the creek and covered it over with a large tarpaulin made of
sail-cloth obtained from the ship.

Robinson had now been on the island twenty-seven years. For the last
three years he had lived happily with his companion Friday. Every year
in September, Robinson celebrated the day his life was saved and he was
thrown up on the island. Robinson celebrated it this year with more than
the usual thankfulness. He thought that it would be his last anniversary
on the island.

One morning, Friday had gone to the beach to find a turtle. Soon he came
running back out of breath. "O Master," he cried, "they are coming, they
are coming to take me prisoner!" He was trembling with fright.

"We must take our guns and defend ourselves," said Robinson. "But we
will not kill anyone unless they attack us." This quieted Friday. They
loaded four muskets and three pistols. Robinson put the pistols in his
belt, where he also fastened a sword. He gave Friday a pistol and a
musket, for Friday had learned to shoot well. Besides Friday carried a
bag of powder and bullets. Robinson took his field glasses and saw
twenty-one savages with two prisoners. The prisoners were bound and
lying on the ground. This was a war party celebrating a victory with a
feast. They probably intended to kill their prisoners. "We must save the
lives of those men," said Robinson.

The savages this time had landed quite near Robinson's shelter, not more
than a half mile below the creek's mouth. Soon he and Friday started
off. Robinson commanded Friday to follow quietly and not to speak or
shoot.

"We will surprise them and give them a good scare," said Robinson.

When yet a considerable distance away they could hear the savages
yelling and screaming. Some of them were dancing their war dance. Their
faces and bodies were painted to make them look terrible to their
enemies. They were dancing around their prisoners with hideous cries and
gestures