Part 42 (2/2)
”I've heard about him,” said Bates; ”but I never was much of a reader, and I never read his yarn. You might maybe tell me something of it.”
”I will tell you all I can remember, but that isn't very much,” said Robert.
He rehea.r.s.ed to the attentive sailor such portions as he could call to mind of the wonderful story which for centuries to come is destined to enchain the attention of adventurous boys.
”That's a pretty good yarn,” said Bates, approvingly. ”Did he ever get off the island?”
”Yes, he got off, and became quite rich before he died.”
”Maybe it'll be so with us, lad.”
”I hope so. I don't know what I should do if I were alone as he was.
It's selfish in me, Bates, to be glad that you are shut up here with me, but I cannot help it.”
”You needn't try, lad. It would be mighty dull being alone here, 'specially if you was tied to a tree.”
”But suppose we should never get off!”
”We won't suppose that, lad. We are sure to get off some time.”
This confident a.s.surance always cheered up Robert, and for the time inspired him with equal confidence. But when day after day pa.s.sed away and the promised s.h.i.+p did not come in sight, he used to ponder thoughtfully over his situation, and the possibility that he might have to spend years at least on this lonely island. What in the meantime would become of his mother? She might die, and if he ever returned it would be to realize the loss he had sustained. The island, pleasant as it was, began to lose its charm. If his sailor companion ever shared his feelings, he never manifested them, unwilling to let the boy see that he was becoming discouraged.
At length--about six weeks after their arrival upon the island--they were returning from an excursion to the other side of the island, when, on arriving in sight of the sh.o.r.e, an unexpected sight greeted their eyes.
A pole had been planted in the sand, and from it waved the familiar flag, dear to the heart of every American--the star-spangled banner.
They no sooner caught sight of it, than, in joyful excitement, they ran to the sh.o.r.e with all the speed they could muster.
CHAPTER x.x.xII.
A SUCCESSFUL MISSION.
There was no one in sight, but it was evident that a party from an American s.h.i.+p had visited the island. Had they departed? That was a momentous question. Instinctively the eyes of both sought the sea. They saw an American s.h.i.+p riding at anchor a mile or more from sh.o.r.e.
”Give me your handkerchief, Robert,” said Bates; ”I'll signal them.”
”It isn't very clean,” said our hero.
”It'll do. See, they are looking at us.”
”Your eyes must be good.”
”I'm used to looking out to sea, lad.”
He waved the handkerchief aloft, and felt sure that he had attracted the attention of those on board. But there was no motion to put off a boat.
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