we , Ce Ly fe fe by “a we ee y es ey ; 7y eg ene Yu ps Mey - yy Zp YZ SMO E SEEDS Ce ee, % ve ‘J " v ; YY, Z Zs 8 ’ 4 ie Fi ~ ROBINSON CRUSOE Boys AND GIRLS BY LIDA B. MCMURRY Primary Training Teacher Illinois State Normal University AND MARY HALL HUSTED _ BLOOMINGTON, ILL.: PUBLIC-SCHOOL PUBLISHING COMPANY 1896 Copyright, 1894. ¢ By C. A. McMurRrRy, Normau, Iu. Press of Pantagraph Printing and Stationery Co., Bloomington, Ili. TO Our Little Friends and Pupils WHO HAVE UNCONSCIOUSLY AIDED US IN THE ADAPTION OF THIS STORY, THIS VOLUME IS LOVINGLY DEDICATEv. PREPAGE. This little book is the result of much experi- -nce in seeking to adapt the story of Robinson Crusoe to the literary attainments and educa- tional needs of children in the primary schools. [t is supposed to follow the study of the ‘‘ Clas- sic Stories for Little Ones ” and to precede the study of the ‘‘ Pioneer History Stories,” which recount the stirring events in the lives of those heroes who first broke ground for our American civilization in the Mississippi Valley. Crusoe is the transition from myths and fairy tales, where the imagination is untrammeled by the ‘‘practical,” to the study of real biography. Those events in DeFoe’s story that are of doubtful educational value are omitted; but it is believed that the child’s interest in the nar: rative is not impaired thereby. The language is that of children, and Robinson seems to be telling his story to them. It will prove to be 4 PREFACE. valuable supplementary reading for classes in the second and third grades. The Appendix in the Teachers’ and Mothers’ Edition of this story, prepared by Dr. Frank McMurry and Dr. C. C.Van Liew, will be studied with interest and profit by those for whom it was written. The former shows the educa- tional value of the story, and the latter pre- sents a method of teaching it to children in the second and third grades. The authors hereby acknowledge their obligations to them for their able assistance in the preparation of this edition. THE AUTHORS. \ ROBINSON CRUSOE AT HOME. s a little boy, I lived in a great a When lw city by the sea, with my father and mother. They were very kind to me and loved me They wished me to go to school and dearly. learn a great deal, so that I might some day be a useful man. 6 ROBINSON CRUSOE. But I was lazy, and liked better to play by the river than to study. I often sat hour after hour watehing the great ships loading and un- loading their cargoes, and as they sailed away I wished that I might go with them. My father had told me that the ships came from lands where the men did not look like those I knew, and the plants and animals were very different from any I had seen. He wished me to be a merchant, but I could think of nothing but the ships, and I often ran away from my work to watch them. When I was sixteen years old, father said to me one day: ‘‘Robinson, I wish you to be a mer- chant. If you attend to your work, you shall some day take charge of my business; but if you are lazy, no one will have any use for you and you will not be able to take care of your- self.” He talked to me a long time about my bad habits. I thought about what he had said and made up my mind to work hard, Butit was not long before I began to think about the ships again and long to sail across the ocean. by ae AT HOME. 7 Father saw that I was not doing my work well, andone morning he said: ‘‘Robinson, what will become of you? Do you want to become a eood-for-nothing, and some day beg for your bread?” I said: ‘‘But, father, I do not wish to be a merchant. I want to go away on one of those ships. It must be fine to be out on the ocean, | and I want to see those strange lands.” My father replied: ‘‘But, my son, if you. do not learn anything you will be of no use to any- one on the ship, and one must work in other countries as well as here. Youmust remember that idleness is the beginning of all mischief. If you disobey your father and mother and run away, you will sometime be sorry; for whoever disobeys his parents will never be happy.” \\ While he was talking, the tears ran down his face, and I could not help but feel that I ought to do as he wished, and I again prom- ised to do so. But very soon I forgot allabout my promise, and when my father was not near I threw my work aside, put on my hat, and went to the harbor. 8 ROBINSON CRUSOE. As I sat watching the ships, I wished more than ever to sailaway. Iknew it would do no good to say more to father about going; but 1 went to my mother and said: ‘‘Mother, will you please ask father to let me go off on just one voyage?” But she would listen to nothing of the kind, and with tears in her eyes she said, ‘‘ Robinson, you are our only child, and if we should lose you, we would be left all alone. Your father and I are old, and who would take care of us if we should get sick? Do not make us unhappy. Do not leave us.” I said nothing more then, but I could not help thinking about a voyage on the ocean. Two years passed, and as I was walking one day along the harbor I met a friend, the son of the captain of one of the vessels. After talking awhile, my friend said, ‘‘ Well, Robinson, father starts for America today, and Tam going with him.” ‘‘Oh! how I wish I could go with ee said I. ‘*Come along!” said he. AT HOME. 9 ‘But I have no money,” I replied. “Rather will take you for nothing, I am sure,” saidmyfriend. ‘‘You can work for him.” Giving him my hand I said, ‘‘Good! if he will let me work my way I'll go with you.” \ SS me WN) Ve ~ \N se = TwW.BAIRD a es a DABS Viv AC i The ship on which | found myself, that bright September morning, was a large one. It was being made ready to start. Soon I heard the cry, ‘‘A—all ha—a—nds! up anchor,a—ho—oy!” At once everyone seemed to be filled with life; the sails were loosed, the yards braced, and the ancuor slowly raised. 3 Orders were given so rapidly and there was THE VOYAGE. ga such a hurrying about and so many strange noises that I hardly knew what to make of it. Above all sounded the boom of a cannon; then the vessel moved slowly out of the harbor. In a short time we were under way. I turned to look at the home I was leaving. I could see the streets with the people passing up and down,the houses,and the gardens. Soon I could see only the towers; finally they, too, faded from sight, and I was out on the great ocean. Behind me and before me, to my right and to my left,I could see nothing but water—water —water. Then I began to think of what I had done. I remembered my father’s tears and my mother’s kindness, and here I was out upon the ocean,sailing away from parents, home,and friends. In a short time a strong wind arose, and the ship rocked so fearfully from side to side that I became dizzy. The storm grew worse, and I thought that every wave would surely swallow up the ship. Every time it went down into the trough or hollow of the sea, I feared it would 12 ROBINSON CRUSOE. never come up again. [told my friend that I was very much afraid; but he only laughed at me and said, ‘‘Oh, you will get used to this after awhile.” I began to feel faint, so that I had to hold on to something to keep from falling down. The masts and ropes danced about and the sail- ors seemed to be walking on their heads.* F'i- nally,as I let go my hold,I fell full length upon the deck and could not rise. I was seasick. This sickness lasted for two days; then the sea be- came quiet and I began to get better. This storm was followed by a few days of pleasant weather, then suddenly the sky grew dark and there was much calling and shouting among the sailors. Another storm had arisen. I thought every minute that the ship would sink and made up my mind that if Iever reached land I would go back home and stay there. The storm lasted all day and all night. But next morning the waves were more quiet, the sky- became clear, and the ocean looked beauti- ful. I was used to the rocking of the vessel by this time, and began to enjoy the excitement. THE VOYAGE. 13 We had been out several weeks when another heavy storm arose. This was very much worse than either of the others; all on board thought that we were lost. The wind and waves carried the ship before them, tossing it about like a nut-shell. Suddenly one of the sailors cried out, ‘‘Land!” All rushed out of the cabin to see where we were, but the waves broke over the deck with such fury that they were driven back into the cabin. | Then,all at once, we felt a fearful shock. The vessel had struck a rock. The sailors cried out, ‘‘The ship has sprung a leak!” The water now poured into it. Every one called for help, and each thought only of saving his own life. A small boat was let down into the water, and all of the men jumped into it. When we were only a little way from the sinking vessel, a great wave, that looked like a mountain, came rolling toward our boat. It was overturned and all of the men went down. I knew how toswim very well, but the waves were so strong that I could do nothing. I came 14 ROBINSON CRUSOE. to the top but a wave carried me under again. Another wave brought me again to the top, and this time I could see land very near. Then a heavy sea hurled me against a rock, and I clung to this with all my strength. Another wave dashed over me, but I held on to the rock. Then Iran up the cliff, but only a little way, for I fell, and knew nothing more for a long _ time. When I opened my eyes again, my first ques- tion was, ‘‘Where am 1?” I looked about for the sailors, but alas! I did not see them, and I knew then that all must have been drowned. Iwas the only one whose life had been saved. When I saw this I knelt down on the rocks and thanked God for His mercy to me. = il" aN ens SS WS ¥ fi le (foe pat ss = fe ais i aa age Ke Nin Pi | Ae tall (LM Ml ae by (dm, Hy) o alti s ; 2m ioaes BZ ZABLE, GFZ ROBINSON IN HIS NEW HOME. I began to wonder what I should do here by myself. I was very wet and had no change of clothes. I was hungry and thirsty and did not know where to look for food or drink. I was also afraid that wild animals might attack me, and I had no gun. It was getting dark and I knew that I must look for a place to sleep. Where should it be? For a long time I stood still, not knowing what to do. 1G Se ROBINSON CRUSOE. At last I said, ‘‘I will do as the birds do, and rest in a tree.” I soon found one with thick branches in which I could settle myself quite comfortably and sleep without danger of falling. As I had nothing with which to defend my- self but a knife, I cut me a good stick. Then I climbed the tree, arranged myself carefully and fell asleep. Being very tired, I slept soundly till morning. When ITawoke it was broad day; the weather was clear and the sea quiet. I was weak from hunger and thirst and wondered what I could find for breakfast. I got down from my bed and walked around looking for food, but I found nothing but grass, and trees that bore no fruit. ‘‘T shall die of hunger,” I thought. But when the need is greatest then God’s help is nearest. I had gone but a few steps when I saw a large plant witha thick stalk, and on it were three long ears. It was a stalk of corn. I broke off one ear and ate the kernels. The other ears I put into my pocket Ialso found a spring of clear, cool water. IN His NEw HOME. 17 Not far away was a high hill, and I went up that I might look about me. It took me half an hour to climb it, but when I had reached the top I could see a long distance away. Ifound that there was water all around me. This dis- tressed me greatly. ‘‘So I am upon an island,” I cried, ‘‘alone and without food or shelter. O, what will be- come of me!”’ AsI spoke my eyes fell upon the ship. It lay about a mile from the shore, and had not been broken to pieces by the storm, as I had supposed. It was still resting upon the rock. ‘‘T must reach that ship,” I thought. ‘‘How can I do it?” The water was so shallow that I could wade to within a quarter of a mile of it, and 1 swam the remainder of the distance. By the help of a rope I climbed to the deck of the vessel. No sooner had I reached it than I was greeted by the joyful barking of the dog, which the sailors had named Barri. He jumped and sprang about me, rejoicing to see a friend once more. Il, too, was glad to have a living being with me again. 18 ROBINSON CRUSOE. I found many things on board the vessel which were not injured at all. First of all I hunted for food. I founda chest of ship bis- cuits, and gave some to Barri who was nearly starved, and I ate all I wished myself. I gathered the things together which I wished to take with me, and built a raft by fastening a number of logs together by ropes, and nailing some boards upon these. I put upon the raft the chest of biscuits, a flint for making a fire, a box of tools, a saber, four guns, two barrels of powder, shot, clothing, and many other things. ; With a broken oar I then rowed toward land. Suddenly I heard a splashing behind me, and turned about, much frightened. But it was only Barri, the faithful dog, who was swimming after me. I drew the poor fellow out of the water on to the raft. In a half-hour I had landed everything safely. It was now getting dark, and I once more looked for a tree in which to spend the night. The next morning my first thought was of In His NEw HOME. 19 the ship. I made up my mind to bring over all of the things for which I might have any use. I went to the vessel on my raft and brought back two kegs of nails and spikes, a large auger, a grindstone, two barrels of bullets, a large bag of shot, seven muskets, a piece of sail, and some bedding. I wanted to put on other things, but the raft could hold no more. I brought all these safely to land. My next care was to get my goods under cover. For this purpose I went to work to build myself a tent. I cut a few poles, set them into the ground in the form of a circle, the tops touching, and fastened the sail over them. Into this tent I put everything I had brought from the ship. - The third time I went to the ship I found in a drawer a pair of scissors, a few knives, and a bag of gold. I was very glad to get the scis- sors and knives, but I had no use for the gold. As I was rowing to land a strong wind arose, and I had to hurry to reach the shore with my raft. I had barely reached it when the wind became so strong that the waves covered the 20 ROBINSON CRUSOE. ship. When the sea became quiet again nothing could be seen of it. I felt very thankful that I had been able to get so much, for I thought, ‘‘How could I have lived without these things!” <- ~ "S$ HOUSE. ROBINSON wet ground and J ’ My tent stood on low wished to find a better spot for my home. I found a ’ After looking around a long time level place on the side of a hill near the sea, which suited me very well. 22 ROBINSON CRUSOE. Back of this plain was a high, steep wall of rock, in which was an opening like the door of acave. Isaid to myself, ‘‘What a fine home I can make here !” I first brought up my tent and everything that was init. This was hard work. I set up the tent, and moved my things into it, then I built a double wall or fence in the shape of a semi-circle, extending from one side of the cave around to the other side, inclosing a beautiful green yard. The front of the fence was ten yards from the cave door, and its two ends were about twenty yards apart. This double fence was made by driving two rows of strong stakes into the ground until they stood very firm, the big- gest end being out of the ground and sharpened at the top. These two rows were only six inches apart. Between them [I laid one row after another of ship cable until it reached the top. Other stakes, two and a half feet high were driven in- side of the second row, leaning against them so as to brace them. Neither man nor animal could get through or over this fence. ROBINSON’S HOUSE. 23 Instead of a gate I made me a ladder so that I might go over the top. When I was within, I lifted the ladder in afterme. The fencing in of my home had been a hard piece of work and had lasted more than three months. % Within this fence I built a cabin. My tent had allowed the rain to come through. I wished to make the roof of the cabin rain proof. , At the sides of the cave opening I set poles in the ground ten steps apart. Upon these [ laid across piece. Upon this cross piece were the rafters, their other end resting on the rocky cliff and forming a slanting roof, I covered this roof with long grass and with leaves. The sides were made of wood,and I filled the cracks with mud. A piece of sail formed the door. When I had done this I began to dig my way into the rock. I carried all the stones out through my cabin and laid them up within the fence. This raised the ground all around, about afoot anda half. The cave formed the cellar , to my house. 24 ROBINSON CRUSOE HIS WORK. While I was at work in the cave a storm came up. It grew dark, and suddenly there was a flash of lightning, and after that a great clap of thunder. I thought, ‘‘Oh, my powder! If the lightning should reach that, what would I do? IfIlose my powder I cannot get food, and I shall have nothing with which to protect my- SeLr” After the storm was over I shook out some small grain bags which I had, and made some others and put the powder into about a hundred of these, hoping that if some of it should burn, I could keep a part at least. I hid these bags of powder in holes among the rocks. Here it could not get wet. While I was doing this I went out at least once a day with my gun. The first time I dis- covered that there were goats upon the island, and I was glad to see them. But they were very shy and would run so swiftly that it was His WORK. 25 the most difficult thing in the world to catch them. One day I watched for them, thinking per- haps I could shoot one; but when they were upon the rocks and saw me in the valley they would run away, very much frightened. When they were feeding in the valley and saw me upon the rocks, however, they took no notice of me. From this I thought that they could not see readily objects that were above them. So I climbed the rocks, to get above them, and then fired at them. The first goat that I shot was an old one. She had a little kid by her side, which I did not see at first. It grieved me that I had killed the mother. I picked up the goat and carried it home over my shoulder, the little kid follow- ing me. I thought I could tame the kid, but it would not eat, so I had to kill it to keep it from starving to death. Many times I grew sad thinking of my home in England. Then I would remember how I had been saved and this would make me very thank- ful. SYA) 26 ROBINSON CRUSOE. I had been on the island about ten or twelve days, when the thought came to me that I should not be able to tell the day of the week or month after a while, for want of books and pen and ink, and should not know which was the Sabbath day. To prevent this, I set up a post, and on this I cut these words: ‘‘I came on shore here the 380th of September, 1659.” Then for every day Icut a notch. Every seventh notch was longer than the others. One day, as I was looking over the things I had brought from the ship, I found pens, ink, and paper; also three good Bibles and several other books. I must not forget, also, that we had in the ship two cats, which I brought home with me. I was careful not to waste any ink, for I knew that I could not get any more when that was gone. One day I wrote the following upon paper: EVIL. GOOD. [I am cast upon a lonely But Iam alive. island; no hope of being saved. al His WORK. 27 I am alone—one man all Butlam not starved. alone. I have no clothes. But it is warm here. I have nothing to fight But I am upon an island with. where lsee no wild beasts. I have no one tospeak to. But God sent the ship near enough to the shore for me to get many things, and I have Barri and the *» cats for company. This made me think that no matter how hard my life seemed, I could find something for which to be thankful. I needed many things in the house, so |] went to work and made some. First, I made a chair and a table out of short pieces of boards which I had brought from the ship. Then I made some shelves along one side of my cave. You may know that this was no light task, when I tell you that I had no tools but an ax and an adze. If Il wanted a board, I must chop down a tree, cut off from the trunk the length that I wanted, and hew it flat on either side with my ax until [ had made it as thinasa plank. Then I smoothed it with my adze. Inthis way I could make but one board out of a whole tree. But there was no help for it, and as I had plenty 28 ROBINSON CRUSOE. of time, it was just as well to spend it in this way. The boards which I used for shelves were a foot and a half wide, and were placed one under another all along one side of my cave. On these I laid my tools, nails, and other things. I drove spikes into the wall, on which to hang my gun. It was a great pleasure to me to see all my goods in such order, and to know that I had so many useful things. I went out for about two hours with my gun, every morning that it did not rain. Then I worked until eleven o’clock. After this I had my dinner. From twelve to twol slept, then I went to work again. One day when I was out hunting I killed a young goat and lamed another. I caught the lame one, led it home, and bound up its leg, which I found was broken. I took such good care of it that it soon became as:well as ever. It would eat near my door and it was so tame that it would not go away. I worked hard, but often the rains kept me inthe house. I had to goto bed early, for I His WORK. 29 | had no light. I wished for a lamp very often, and I studied how to make one. The best that I could do was to save the tal- low from a goat which [had killed. With a little dish made of clay,which I baked in the sun, and some oakum for the wick, I made a lamp. This gave mea light, but not a clear, steady light like a candle. 30 ROBINSON CRUSOE. SURPRISES. One day I saw before my door a few blaaes of something green coming up out of the ground. I thought it might be some plant I had not seen. I was very much surprised, afew weeks later, to see heads of wheat on the plants. When I saw this new gift, tears came to my eyes. Ithought of the prayer, ‘‘Give us this day our daily bread,” and I repeated it. I asked myself, ‘‘How came this wheat here?” Then I remembered that one day dur- ing a great rain I had shaken some dust out of SURPRISES. 31 a bag which had once held wheat. There must have been a few grains in this. It was in April when I found the plants, and by June I had gathered every grain of wheat and saved it for seed. By the side of the rock, back of my house, a few rice plants were growing. I watched these and when the rice was ripe I gathered it for seed. I had been working very hard for three or four months trying to get my fence done. The very next day after it was finished, I came near having my work spoiled and myself killed. As I was busy behind my cabin, just at the opening of the cave, I was terribly frightened by a most surprising thing. ~The earth began to fall from the roof of my cave, and from the edge of the hill over my head. ‘Two posts which I had set up in the cave cracked. I was alarmed, for I thought that the roof was falling in, and fearing that I should be buried in it, 1 ran to my ladder. [I did not feel safe here, for the rocks from the hill might , roll down upon me; so I got over the fence, and ae . ROBINSON CRUSOE. as soon as I had stepped down upon the ground I knew that it was an earthquake. The ground on which I stood shook three times. The shocks were heavy enough to over turn the strongest building in the world. A great piece of the top of a rock, which was about half a mile from me, near the sea, fell down with a terrible noise such as [ had never heard in all my life. I was so frightened that I grew faint and sick. The falling of the rock aroused me, and then I could think of nothing but the hill falling upon my cabin. After the third shock was over, I felt no more, but I was still afraid to go over my fence, and Isat upon the ground, not knowing what to do. While here, the clouds gathered and _ it looked as if it might rain. Soon after, the wind began to blow, and in less than half an hour it blew a most dreadful hurricane. The sea was white with foam, and the shore was covered with water. Great trees were torn up by the roots. It was a terrible storm. SURPRISES. 33 This lasted for three or four hours, then it began to rain. All this time I sat upon the eround, but when the rain began to fall I went into my cabin. But it rained so hard that I had to go into the cave, although I was still afraid that it would fall upon my head. It rained all night and a great part of the next day. I began to wonder what I would best do. ‘E thought that if there were earthquakes on the island, it would not do to live on the side of the hill beside the rocks. So I determined to build a cabin away from the hill, and then build a fence around it; but I was settled so comfortably here that I did not like to think of moving. My tools were all so dull that I could not do much chopping until they were sharpened. I had a grindstone but I could not turn it and grind my tools too. At last I fastened a crank to the axle; this crank I connected with a treadle by a string; I worked this treadle with my foot, that I might have both my hands to hold the tools. Then I spent two days sharpening them. 34 ROBINSON CRUSOE. One morning I found, by the seaside, a tor- toise, or turtle. This was the first I had seen, not because they were scarce, for there were many on the side of the island which I had not visited. I might have had hundreds of them every day, as I found afterward, but perhaps I should have paid dear enough for them. I cooked this one and found that it tasted bet- ter than any food I had eaten since I landed. ¢ Anat Ap ak = ee He Sy Mit fi & Me ath, Ly ROBINSON SICK.., The day on which I found the turtle it began to rain. It rained all day and it was still rain- ‘ing the next morning. | It was usually too warm, but this rain felt cold, and I was sick and chillyallday. At night I could not sleep for the fever and pain in my head. | I was no better in the morning, and I became greatly frightened and did not know what to 36 ROBINSON CRUSOE. do. I prayed to God, but I scarcely knew what I said. I was some better the fourth day, but worse on the fifth. The sixth day I was better again, but on the seventh I had another chill and a burning fever. , The next day I was better again, and hav- ing nothing to eat, I took my gun and went out hunting. I killed a goat, but I was so weak that I could hardly carry it home. The chill came again the next day and I had to le in bed. I was nearly dead with thirst, but I was too weak to get any water. I prayed to God, but all I could say was, ‘‘Lord, look upon me! Lord, pity me! Lord, have mercy upon me!” After awhile I fell asleep. When [ awoke it was far into the night and I was very thirsty, but as there was no water in my cabin, I had to do without until morning. I went to sleep again and had a strange dream. I thought that my good father stood be- fore me and called, ‘‘ Robinson, Robinson.” If stretched out my arms and said, ‘‘Here I am; here I am,’ and then I fell back upon the bed. ROBINSON SICK. 37 When I awoke, my mouth burned and I feared I was going to die. Then I cried out, ‘‘Lord, be my help, for I am in great need!” I soon fell asleep again, and when I awoke I felt betterf’ The first thing I did after getting up was to fill a bottle with water and place it near my bed. Then I broiled a piece of meat on the coals, but I could eat very little. I walked about, but was very weak, and I felt sad thinking that the next day the chill would return. At night I made my supper of three of the turtle’seggs, which I roastedintheashes. After I had eaten I tried to walk, but I was too weak to carry a gun; so | went but a little way and sat down upon the ground, looking out over the sea, which lay just before me, so beautiful and calm. As I sat here I thought of my father and mother. How kind they had always been to me! J thought how terrible it would be to die here all alone, and I prayed again to God to help me and bring me home again. Then I thought, ‘‘Why should God help me? 38 ROBINSON CRUSOE. Have I not disobeyed His commands? God wants us to obey our parents and love them, but I have not done so. I have run away from them and made them very unhappy.” I walked back slowly to my cabin, lighted my lamp, and sat down and wondered what I could do to cure me of my sickness. I went to one of the chests to see if I could not find some medicine. I did not find the medicine, but dur- ing my search I found a Bible. I brought it to the table and tried to read, but I was still dizzy and the letters danced be- fore my eyes; but I made out this verse: ‘‘Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” These words comforted me. I began to grow sleepy, so, leaving my lamp burning, I went to bed. But before I lay down, I knelt and asked God to take care of me. Then I fell asleep and did not wake until almost three o’clock the next day, much re- freshed, and when I got up I felt stronger. From this time on I grew better each day, although it was several weeks before I fully re- «. ROBINSON SICK. 39 covered. I kept thinking of that verse, ‘‘I will deliver thee.” I wondered how God would de- liver me. Then I thought, ‘‘Has He not done so? Iwas delivered from the wreck and from my sickness. And how have I glorified Him?” I fell on my knees and thanked God for all His kindness to me. Ht | \| Ik they Hh od he Loe age | ——— i | (lil Wy’ we i) ill j IMM ROBINSON EXPLORES THE ‘ISLAND, When I was well again, I started out to see more of my island home. At first I had been afraid of wild animals and men, but now I said, ‘‘God has taken care of me so far and I believe He will keep me from harm all the time.” ¢ iad EXPLORES THE ISLAND. 41 One morning in July, I started out, going up the creek which flowed past my house. On both sides of it lay beautiful meadows covered with grass, and many plants were growing on its banks. I tried to find a kind of root out of which the Indians make their bread, but I found none. The next day I went up the same stream again, but I went farther. I found that beyond the meadows were thick woods. In this part I found melons and grapes that were sweet and ripe. When night came I was so far from home that I did not try to get back. I slept wellina tree, and the next morning I[ continued my jour- ney about four miles, through a valley with hills on each side. At the end of this valley I came to an opening, where there was a little spring of cold water, and everything looked fresh and green. | I Saw cocoa trees, orange, lemon, and citron trees. From these I gathered more fruit than I could carry home. I filled my pockets as full, as I could, and left a great heap of it lying on 42 ROBINSON CRUSOE. the ground, thinking I would come again. Be- fore | got home the grapes were spoiled. The next day I went back, having made two small bags in which to carry my fruit. I Was surprised upon coming to my heap of grapes, which were so rich and fine, to find them all scattered about, trodden to pieces, and many of them eaten. I knew that some animal must have done this, soafter that when I wanted to save grapes ~ I put them on the branches of the trees where ‘they- would dry. In this way I could have a supply of raisins. This time I took home as many lemons as [ could carry. This place was so beautiful that I thought I would like to live here, and I looked around for a spot upon which to build my house. But after | had thought about it, 1 remembered that now my home was near the sea, where I hoped some day to see a ship. Or, if some one should be shipwrecked as I had been, I should be nea.’ to help him. I liked the woods so well, that I built a kind of bower where I could stay when I chose. I EXPLORES THE ISLAND. 43 put up a strong fence of poles and brushwood, and used a ladder’as I did in my other home. I called this my country home. Just after I had finished my country house, the rainy season came on and I had to stay in my cabin. i On September thirtieth, I counted up the notches on my post, and found that I had been on shore three hundred and sixty-five days. I spent this day in religious worship. I knelt down and prayed God to forgive my sins. I fasted for twelve hours, then I ate a biscuit and a bunch of raisins and went to bed. During the rainy season I stayed in my cabin as much as I could, but I always found work to do. I needed. baskets very much, and I had tried several ways of making them. But all of the twigs that I could get were too brittle. , One day while at my country house, I found some willow twigs that seemed tough. I cut them and let them dry, and then carried them to my cabin. I made my baskets of these, in the rainy sea. 44 ROBINSON CRUSOE. son. This business was not new to me, for when I was a boy, I used to like to watch a basketmaker who lived in our town, and some- times he would let me help him ANOTHER TRIP. 45 ANOTHER TRIP. In order to know still more about my island, I got ready fora longer trip. I took my gun and dog, a hatchet, and some biscuits and raisins. I went beyond my country house to a place where I could see the ocean on the other side of the island. Away off across the water I saw more land. I thought it must be some part of America, or perhaps another island. This side of the island seemed more pleas- ant than my side, for there were many beau- tiful flowers and trees here. In the woods near by, birds were singing their songs and flitting from tree totree. There were also agreat many parrots with their gay plumage. I caught a young one and carried it home, that I might teach it to talk. I also saw many small wild animals, but I shot none as I did not wish to waste my pow- 46 ROBINSON CRUSOE. der. On the seashore I was surprised to see the sand nearly covered with turtles. I put a stake into the ground for a land- mark, thinking that on the next journey which I took, I would go around the seacoast the other way until I came to my post. Iwas ready to go home now and I took a new way. I had not gone far when I found my- self in a large valley with hills all around covered with woods. My only guide was the sun, and the weather was hazy for three or four days, so that I lost my way. I wandered about fora long time and at last found my post and went home the same way that I had come. On the way home Barri caught a young goat and saved it alive, and I took it home to tame. I made a collar for the little thing out of some string which I aiways carried with me and led it to my country home and there [| left it. After being away from home a month, I was very anxious to get back, and I cannot tell what a pleasure it was to me to come into my cabin and lie down in my hammock again. 4 ANOTHER TRIP. 47 I rested for a week after my journey, and while doing so I made a cage for Polly. Then I began to think of the little kid I had left penned up. I went out to it and found it nearly starved. After I fed it, it became so tame and gentle that it followed me like a dog, and it became a great pet. 48 ROBINSON CRUSOE. HIS GARDEN. I found now that there were two seasons upon the island, one rainy and the other dry. From the middle of February till the middle of April, it was rainy; from the middle of April to the middle of August, it was dry; from the mid- dle of August till the middle of October, rainy; from the middle of October till the middle of February, dry. One year I planted my seed on the first of May and it did not sprout. The next season I planted some early in August and the rain coming soon, it grew nicely. So [I found that there were two seed times and two harvests. I planted my garden and in October and November it looked well. I thought, ‘‘What a fine harvest I am going to have.” But one day I saw that some wild goats and hares were eating off the tender blades of the grain. HIS GARDEN. 49 I knew of nothing that I could do to keep them away unless I builta close fence, so I went to work at this and at the end of three weeks it was done. But this fence could not save my grain, for one day when it was nearly ripe J saw a great many birds in my garden. I shot at them and a great flock arose; this made me feel badly for I knew that unless I could do something immedi- ately they would eat up all my grain and I might starve. I went into the garden and found that they had spoiled some already, and as I was com- ing away I saw the thieves sitting upon all the trees about me as if waiting until I should go away, Sure enough, as soon as | had gone a short distance, down they flew. I fired my gun at them and killed three. These I hung up to scare the others away, and they did not come back. } When the grain was ripe I hardly knew now to harvest it as I had neither scythe nor sickle. But I remembered a broad sword that I had 50 ROBINSON CRUSOE. brought from the ship and this did very well. I carried the grain home in the baskets which I had made, and rubbed it out with my hands. I had a large stock of rice and with my new harvest [hadmore. The third planting brought me over a bushel of wheat and as much rice. The fourth planting brought five bushels of wheat and still more. of rice. Next time I planted two bushels of each kind and gathered more than forty bushels of both. Then I had all of the grain that I needed. It might be truly said that now I worked for my bread. [ had no plow to turn up the earth; no spade nor shovel to dig with; so I spent many days making a wooden spade. I had no harrow, so I had to go over the ground dragging a great heavy bough of a tree to break the clods of earth and make the ground smooth. Now that I had wheat how could I grind it? And if I had it ground into flour, how could I make bread of it? Then how could I bake the bread if I had the flour? I spent many hours planning how all these things could be done. ae Say Se eZ “ a (| i r | ae an ROBINSON A COOK. The rainy season coming on again, I had to work inthe house. I taught my parrot to speak, and I was very glad when she could say, ‘‘Polly wants a cracker, cracker.” _L found that I needed some jars and plates very much, so [ studied how to make some. I looked around and founda certain kind of clay which I thought would do. It would make you pity me or laugh at me were L to tell you of the queer shaped things I’ formed; but at last I made some which I dried 52 ROBINSON CRUSOE. in the sun, and they held my rice and grain very well. 5 But what I wished for most was something — in which to cook my food. Some time after I made my first jars I had a hot fire for cook- ing my meat, and when I went to put it out I found a broken piece of one of my jars in the fire. It was burned as hard as stone and as red as tile. I was surprised to see this, and I said to myself, ‘‘Why not burn whole jars and make them hard like this piece? ” So I went to work and made some more ket- tles and jars, and although they were not very smooth and round, yet they did very well. Next I placed the three largest vessels close together, with a good bed of live coals under them. I madea big fire all around them, but hardly had the flames begun to shoot up when I heard ‘‘crack! crack!” and one vessel fell to pieces. I said to myself, ‘‘I believe it is too hot.” So I put some of the fire out. As the others did not crack, I kept up the fire and after a while they turned a bright red. I thought this was all right, and I stayed up ROBINSON A COOK. 53 the whole night to watch the burning of my pottery. ‘‘Now,” said I, ‘‘they are ready to use.” But I found that something was the mat- ter. They crumbled and fell to pieces. [did not know what to do now, but I dug a deep hole and laid stones about it. Then I made a small firein the hole and putin my jars. I kept making the fire a little hotter, and after a few hours they were all a glowing red. Then it seemed as though they would all melt, so I let the fire go down. I could hardly wait for them to cool before trying them. This time they were well baked, for they had been in the fire just long enough. I put some meat into one of them, with water and rice, and set it on the fire. It cooked well and tasted very good, better thanany I had had since I came to the island. Some salt, which I found near the sea on one of my trips, gave just the right flavor. I had worked so hard on my jars that I had forgotten to write the daysin my calendar. I found that the next day would be Sunday. I wished to spend it in the right way, for I ; 54 ROBINSON CRUSOE thought of what the Bible says: ‘Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work.” When I had eaten my supper I went to sleep, and in the morning I wakened just as the sun was lighting up the hilltops. I jumped up quickly and offered my morning prayer. Thenl milked my goats and drank the milk for break- fast. After breakfast I went out into the morning air, where the birds were singing their beautiful songs and everything was glad. I took off my hat and sang too. I never before felt so thank- ful to God. Then I knelt down and prayed be- fore a palm tree as before an altar, pouring forth my thankfulness. ROBINSON A COOK. 55 ROBINSON A COOK. I had been thinking for a long time how I could make flour out of my wheat. First of all I neededa mill. ‘‘If I had a mortar,” thought I, ‘‘I could crush the grain in that.” I hunted many days for a large hollow stone for a mortar, but I could not find one; and I had no tools to cut one out of the solid rock. Besides, rocks were sandy, and they would not do. At last I gave up looking for a stone and began to hunt for a block of hard wood. After | had found one large enough, I rounded it off with my hatchet, and then with much hard work and the help of fire, I madea hollow place aie: After this I made a heavy pestle of iron- wood. The next thing was to make a sieve,and this was a hard thing to do. I had no cloth which I could use for it; I had goat’s hair, but I did not, know how to weave it. | 56 ROBINSON CRUSOE. After a long time I found some coarse mus- lin in one of the chests, and with some of this I made three sieves which did the work very well. The baking was the next thing to plan for, and as I had no oven, I made some dishes that were broad and not deep. These I burned in the fire as I had done the others. When I wanted to bake, I made a great fire upon the hearth. After the fire had burned into live coals I drew them forward upon the hearth so as to cover it all over. When the hearth was very hot I swept away the coals and placed a loaf there. Then I covered it with one of my dishes, and drew the coals all around the outside of the dish, to keep in the heat and make more. In this way I baked my bread, and after a time I made pud- dings. : It took me nearly a year to make all of these things. I could not work at it all of the time for I had my garden to take care of and other work to do. ZA | Ce atm , ROBINSON MAKES A BOAT. While I was at work I often thought about the land which I had seen across the water,and I could not help but wish to go there. I thought that perhaps people lived there, and if I could . reach it I might at last get home. Many times I wished for a boat so that T, _might sail over to that countrv. 58 ROBINSON CRUSOE. I began to think then that perhaps I might make a canoe out of the trunk of a tree. This seemed quite easy to do. So I went to work, first cutting down a fine cedar tree. It was five feet ten inches in di- ameter at the stump, and four feet eleven inches at the distance of twenty-two feet far- ther up. I was over two weeks cutting this tree down and as long trimming off the branches. Then I spent a month in shaping it, and three times as long in digging out the inside. When I had the work done, I was very much pleased with it. It would carry twenty-six men, and was large enough to hold me and everything I had. ° The boat was about one-half hour’s walk from the ocean, and there was a small hill to go over. I began to dig through this hill to make a sort of trench; but when this was done I could not stir the boat. Then I thought that I would cut a canal to bring the water to the canoe, since I could not bring the canoe to the water. Well, I began MAKES A BOAT. oan this work, but when I thought how deep it must be and how broad, I knew it would take me at least ten years to finish it. Thus I had to give up this boat. I felt very sorry about it, for | had worked hard to make it. But I learned too late how foolish it is to begin a work before counting all the cost. 60 ROBINSON CRUSOE. — ROBINSON A TAILOR. I had now been on the island so long that many things which I had brought from the ship were nearly used up. My ink had been gone for some time. I put in some water and made it last as long as I could, but it was so pale that the words on the paper were scarcely vis- ible. My clothes, too, were old and ragged, for I had worn them in the rain and in doing a ereat deal of hard work. I had brought some clothing from the ship, but I had worn that out. Now I must look out for some new clothes. I had plenty of money, but what good could that do me here? If I had been at home I could have bought many fine clothes with it, but it was of no use to me now. For a long time I did not know from what to make my clothes. Then I remembered that I had saved all of the skins of the goats I had killed, and dried them in the sun. These ROBINSON A TAILOR. 61 might do for cloth, but how could I make them? First, I took.my measure for a jacket. I found that I would need three skins—one for the back, one for the front, and one for the sleeves. Next, [ cut them into four-cornered pieces. It took a long time to sew them together, and I made but poor work of it. If I was a bad car- penter, | was a worse tailor. The sleeves made me the most trouble be- cause they had to be sewed in at the shoulders to the other parts. It took me nearly two days to make the jacket, but when it was finished it was just the thing. I put the hair on the out- side to turn the rain, and it kept off the heat, also. I made some leggings, and then a cap—all out of skins. The cap looked like a large cone and it was somewhat longer behind than in front, so as to keep the rain and the heat from my neck. Iwas very proud of my suit when it was finished. After this, I spent much time in making an umbrella from skins. I spoiled two or three be- 62 ROBINSON CRUSOE. fore I made one that suited me. I wanted it so that I could shut it up, for I could not always carry itopen. At last I made one, and now I could go out in the hottest weather, for it kept off the heat. ; -_ QQ #4, EN \ inl S\\ ; si) OYA HE MAKES A SMALLER CANOE. For five years after this, nothing unusual but I lived on in the same’ ’ happened to me I had my regular work of tak- way as before. 64 ROBINSON CRUSOE. ing care of my garden, curing my raisins, and hunting. Besides this, I was working upon another canoe. As for the first one, it lay just where I had made it, as a reminder to me to be wiser hereafter. The second boat was about half a mile from the water, for I could find no tree nearer that would do. It was smaller than the first, and by digging a canal to it, six feet wide and four feet deep, I brought it to the creek. This little boat would not serve for such a trip as I had planned with the other one, but it would do to sail around my island in. I fitted up a mast in it and made a sail out of some of the pieces of the ship’s sails that I still had. Then I made a trial trip and found that it would sail very well. I made little boxes at each end in which to put powder and other things which were to be kept dry. Then I cut a long hollow place in the side of it where I could lay my gun, making a flap to hang down over it to keep it dry. To keep the heat of the sun off, I fixed my HE MAKES A SMALLER CANOE. 65 umbrella in astep at the stern. Once in a while I took a little trip down the creek and out on the ocean, but I did not go far. At last I got ready for a trip around the island. I put in some bread, rice, powder, and shot, and two large watch-coats which I had saved from the ship, one to lie upon and the other to cover me at night. It was in November, in the sixth year of my stay, that I started out on this trip; and it proved to be a longer one than I had expected. It was not that the island was so large, but when I came to the east side I found a ledge of rocks reaching far out into the ocean,and beyond this was a strip of sand. To get around this I had to go out a long way into the sea. When I first saw these rocks, I thought I would go back home. I anchored my boat, and taking my gun I climbeda hill. After looking about from its top, I made up my mind to try to go on in my boat. The sea being a little rough, I staid on shore for two days. Buton the third day the the sea was calm again and I started out. 66 ROBINSON CRUSOE. When I reached the point, suddenly the boat began to go faster, and to my dismay I saw that a strong current was carrying me out to sea. I could do nothing with my paddle, and there was no wind. I feared that unless some help came soon I should be lost. Now that I was being carried away from my island home out into the ocean it seemed to me the most pleasant home in the world. I stretched out my hands to it, wishing I were there once more. Then I thought, ‘‘I was not happy while I was there, but we never know how to enjoy what we have, until it is lost to us.” As [have said, there was no wind to help me, but I worked hard, and after a while I felt a little breeze. Then it blew quite a gale and I thought that now I might save myself. By this time I was a long way from the island and if it had not been clear I should certainly have been lost, for I should not have known which way to go. I soon found that the current had changed and by hard work and the help of the wind I HE MAKES A SMALLER CANOE. 67 sailed out of it. Upon nearing the shore I found that it was the opposite side of the island from where I had started. As soon as I reached the land again, I fell upon my knees and gave thanks to God for sav- ing me. Ibrought my boat close to the shore, into a little cove, and after eating some food, I went to sleep, for I was very tired. In the morning I[ hardly knew how to return home. I did not care to try going by water after being so nearly lost the day before. lL looked along the shore and several miles further I found a small creek flowing into the ocean, and into it I brought my boat. I drew it up on the shore, where it would be safe, and ketneit: Taking my umbrella and gun, I started on foot for home. Not far away was my old land- mark and before evening I reached my country _ house. Here everything was just as I had left it. I got over the fence and lay down in the shade to rest and soon fell asleep. You may imagine my surprise upon being awakened by some one calling my name. The 68 ROBINSON CRUSOE. voice said, ‘‘Robin, Robin, Robin Crusoe! Where are you, Robin Crusoe? Where have you been ? Poor Robin Crusoe!’ I was sleeping so soundly that it seemed like a dream. JBut the voice kept on saying ‘*Robin, Robin, Robin Crusoe! Poor Robin Crusoe!” At last I awoke, greatly fright- ened. I looked around and there on the fence sat Polly blinking her eyes and chattering away. Holding out my hand I said, ‘‘Come here, Polly, pretty Polly!’ She flew down to me and sit- ting on my shoulder laid her head against my face and kept saying, ‘‘Robin, Robin Crusoe ! Where have you been? Poor Robin Crusoe!”— just as if she were very happy to see me again. Thad enough of sailing now for a time, but I often wished that the boat were on my side of the island. ROBINSON’S FLOCKS. 69 ROBINSON'S FLOCKS. At the end of eleven years on the island I found that my ammunition was beginning to run low. I therefore planned to catch some goats, tame them, and have my own flocks. By doing this I should save both time and ammu- nition. I already had one tame goat. I won- dered what I could do to catch more. At first I made traps of rope, and baited them, and I am sure I caught some goats in these, but the ropes were rotten and would not hold; so I dug some pits three or four feet deep and covered them with small branches of trees, The next morning I found that I had caught three young kids. I tied them together and managed with much trouble to get them home. When I[ got them there I had no good place to keep them, so I set about finding a pasture, one where there would be plenty of grass, water, and shade. 70 ROBINSON CRUSOE. I soon found a place that suited’ me well, and began to enclose a very large pasture, which would require two miles of fence. I changed my mind, however, after thinking more about it, not because I had not time to make so long a fence, for I had time enough to make it five times as long had I cared for such an one, but with such a large pasture,how could I tame my goats? They would be nearly as free as they were in the woods, and I could never catch one where there was so much space in which to chase it. I therefore decided to fence in about a quar- ter of anacre. When I should need more pas- ture, I could enclose more land. While I was making the fence I kept my goats tied near me that they might become used to me, and very often I would carry them a handful of wheat or of rice, which they learned to eat out of my hand. It took about three months to make my fence. By the time it was done the goats would follow me up and down the pasture calling for grain. After three years I had forty-three goats, and, besides, I had killed several for food. ROBINSON’S FLOCKS. 71 At different times I fenced in more pasture, until I had five pieces of ground fenced, with little pens opening out of each, and gates lead- ing from one pasture into another. I had not only plenty of meat, but I had plenty of milk as well—sometimes a gallon or two a day—and after many failures I learned to make very good butter and cheese. = ZN SN fs SH Ne \ 2% y I 2 > Se aay fg } 3 as y }, 4 GAS “ \ ROBINSON’S MANNER OF LIVING. It would have made you smile to see me and my little family sit downtodinner. There was our majesty, the lord of the whole island. My subjects were under my complete control, and there were no rebels among them. How like a king I sat at my table all alone, attended by my servants. Poll was the only person allowed to talk to me. My dog, who was now very old and crazy, sat always at my MANNER OF LIVING. 73 right hand, and the cats at my left. I needed nothing to add to my happiness but society. My dress was very odd. Any one in Eng- land would have been frightened at meeting such a man, or else he would have laughed at him. There was my great, high, shapeless cap, made of goat skin, with a flap hanging down behind to keep the sun and rain off of my neck; my short coat of goat’s skin, the skirts coming down to about the middle of my thighs; and a pair of open-kneed breeches of the same material. The breeches were made of the skin of an old goat whose hair hung down so long that _ it reached to the middle of my legs. I wore a pair of leggings laced up on the outer side. . Around my waist I wore a broad belt of goat’s skin, which was laced together by leather strings. From one side of it hung my hatchet, from the other, my saw. Over my shoulder I wore another belt, not so broad as the first,and from this,under my left arm,hung two pouches, both made of goat’s skin, in one of which I carried my powder, and in the other, my shot. On my back I carried my basket,on my shoulder 74 ROBINSON CRUSOE. my gun, and over my head my great, clumsy, ugly umbrella, which, after all, was the most necessary thing I had, next to my gun. Near my home, but upon lower ground, were my two corn fields which I ploughed and sowed every year, and which yielded me good har- vests. My vineyard Lalso cared for, and the raisins that I made were not only pleasant to eat, but were healthful, as well. ALARM. One day, about noon, I was walking along the shore toward my boat, when, looking down, I saw in the sand the print of a man’s naked foot. Iwas very much frightened at this. I made use of all my eyes and ears but I could neither see nor hear anyone, so I went to the top of a hill that I might look off some distance;, but there was no one in sight. I went again 76 ROBINSON CRUSOE. to the shore and walked to and fro, searching in the sand, but there was no other footprint to be seen and I could not imagine how this one came to be there. It was growing late, and I started for home, looking behind me at every three or four steps, and thinking every stump I saw ata distance was a man. When I came to my cave, which I now named my castle, I ran into it as if I were chased by wolves. I could not sleep that night. I thought and thought about that footprint, and made up my mind that some savages from the mainland had come Over in canoes, but had gone away to sea again, being as unwilling to stay on the island as I was to have them. I felt very grateful that I was not near when they landed, and that they had not seen my boat; for if they had seen it, very likely they would have hunted the island over for its owner. One morning when I was worrying over this discovery, these words from the Bible came again to my mind, ‘‘Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee and thou shalt glo- ALARM. i rify me.” I prayed to God to deliver me from my enemies, then rose from my bed greatly comforted. For three days and nights I had not stirred from my castle, so that I was in much need of focd; for [had nothing in the house but some wheat cakes and water. My goats, too, needed to be milked, and I started at last for my coun- try house to milkthem. After I had gone down there and back for two or three days and had seen no one, I began to feel less alarm. 78 ROBINSON CRUSOE. ROBINSON PREPARES FOR TROUBLE. My business for the present was to make my- self safe against anenemy. The first thing that I planned to do was to make another tight fence around my castle outside of the first fence. » About twelve years before this, I had planted a double row of trees here, where I wished to make a second fortification. These trees stood close together, so I had to drive in but a few - posts to make a thicker and stronger fence than the first one. In this outer fence or wali I made seven little holes about as big around as my arm. Through these seven holes I put seven mus- kets, which I fitted into frames which held them in place, so that they looked much like small cannons. I could fire all of these seven guns in two minutes’ time. The inner wall I thickened until it was ten feet through. This I did by taking dirt from my cave. PREPARES FOR TROUBLE. 719 Outside of the outér wall, and some distance from it, I stuck all the ground for a great way out, with twigs of willow, which grow quickly, and in five or six years’ time | had a wood about my home, so very thick and strong that no one would think of a house being within, and if anyone had tried to get through, he could not have done so. For myself, I planned to go in and out by two ladders—one to lead from the outside of my outer wall toa shelf of rock, and the other to lead from this shelf of rock to the top of the hill. When the two ladders were down, no man living could come down to me without getting hurt; and even if one could get down, he would still be outside the outer wall. The next question to answer was, ‘‘How shall I keep my goats out of the way of ene- mies?” This is the plan that Imade: I would fence in three or four small pastures far away from one another, and well hidden by trees; then I would divide my flock, so that if one pasture were found by them, the others might — be safe. 80 ROBINSON CRUSOE. So I went’out in search of good pasture land, and found a little damp piece in the mid- dle of a hollow, with woods all around it. These woods were so thick that I nearly got lost myself. There were about three acres in this piece. I worked about a month fencing it in, then I brought twelve goats to it. These, I thought, were quite secure. Later on, I fenced in two more pastures and put tame goats into them. For two years after my fright, I was very careful not to fire my gun, though I never went without one, and I carried two pistols in my goat-skin belt. I moved my boat to the east end of the island where I ran it into a little sheltered place. I thought that no one would be likely to find it here. « I seldom went away from home except to milk and care for my goats. I did not dare drive a nail or chop a stick of wood, for fear the noise would be heard by someone. I felt afraid, too, every time I made a fire, that the smoke would tell where I was hiding. So J PREPARES FOR TROUBLE. a made some charcoal by burning wood under turf till it became dry coal. This dry coal or charcoal would burn without making any smoke. 82 ROBINSON CRUSOE. A DISCOVERY. I was cutting off some branches of trees one day to make charcoal, when I saw, back of the trees, an open place. I looked into it and found that it was a cave, so high that I could stand up in it. But I came out much faster than I had gone in, for as I looked into the cave, which was perfectly dark, I saw two large, shining eyes, twinkling like two stars. I did not dare to leave the place without finding out to what those eyes belonged, so I took up a stick of burning wood and rushed into the cave with it in my hand. I had not gone more than three steps when I was frightened as badly as at first; for I heard a very loud sigh, as if some man were in pain. After this there was a mumbling sound as of wevds half spoken, then another deep sigh. I stepped back and broke out into a cold sweat; but soon I went on again into the cave, NEw DISCOVERY. 83 and by the light of a stick held a little above my head, I sawa great goat lying on the ground gasping for breath, and dying of old age. I stirred him a little to see if I could get him out, but he could not stand up, and I comforted my- self thinking that no savage would go into that cave while the goat lived, at any rate. This cave was not very large, but at the further end, to the right, was a small passage, so low that one must creep on his hands and knees to get through it. Having no candle, I could not go into that part of the cave, but I planned to come next day and bring lights with me. So on the following day I came with my can- dles, made of goat’s tallow, and passed through the low opening. I crept along on my hands and knees about ten yards; at the end of this long, low hall the roof suddenly rose to the height of twenty feet. This was a most beautiful room. The walls and ceilings reflected a thousand lights from my two candles. The floor was dry and level and had loose gravel upon it, and there was no 84 ROBINSON CRUSOE. dampness about the roof or sides of the cave. 1 thought, ‘‘Surely, here is a place of safety, and I will bring to it some of the things I am most anxious to save—my powder and five guns, at least. The old goat died that night, and I took full possession of the cave. Sos ws Se SRY ge 4G SAY UTA ; 4 pee ID fs Ly Af ] pt = tag Mi y 7. A Fa err — EY, Ye ES fe TERS? $27) Wa Fete aaa Tis FN, age - 1 Nel Lh pd |) y Z i IAG LLNS LR No, UAT LANTOS AN ial MW) | ly, fi I) ll 4 i 7A Mz) W ees ’ I( RETURN OF THE SAVAGES. — a —ted 3. j ae ( About a year and a half had passed after my discovery of the footprint, when, one morning, I was surprised by seeing five canoes drawn up on shore on my side of the island. The people were all landed. I knew that these canoes car- ried from four to six men, and I was at a loss to know how to resist so many alone, so i lay still in my castle for a long time. &b ROBINSON -CRUSOE. As I could hear no noise, I at length set my guns against the foot of the ladder and climbed to the top of the hill. I could not be seen here but I could see the men through my glass. There were not less than thirty of them. They had kindled a fire and seemed to be cooking their dinner and dancing around it. | then saw two miserable beings dragged out from the boats, to be killed. One of these men they knocked down, while the other was left standing alone until they should be ready for him. This savage seeing a little chance for life, darted away from his captors. He ran very fast right toward my home. I was dreadfully frightened when I saw this, for I thought ali the savages were after him. I soon saw, how- ever, that only three of the men were following the runaway and he was gaining ground on these, so that if he could hold out at that rate he would be beyond their reach in half an hour. On coming to the creek he jumped in and swam over. Two of the savages swam after him, but the third one gave up the chase and went back to the shore. RETURN OF THE SAVAGES. 87 I thought, ‘‘Now is my chance to get me a servant, if Ican save this poor fellow’s life;” so | ran down the ladder, fetched my two guns and rushed out so as to stand between him and the two savages who were following him. I called to the runaway, who was at first as much frightened at me as at his two enemies. Then I motioned for him to come back and at. the same time I went toward the two savages, rushing at the head one and knocking him down with my gun. I feared to fire lest those on the shore should hear. The second savage stopped when the first one was knocked down, but I saw that he was fitting an arrow into his bow, so I shot at him and killed him. ) The poor savage who saw both of his ene- mies fall was so frightened by the noise of my gun that he seemed about to run away. I called to him again and beckoned to him to come nearer, and he came a little way. Bya great deal of coaxing I got him to come to meat last. He threw himself at my feet, and placed my — foot on his head to show me that he would be 88 ROBINSON CRUSOE. my servant forever. I raised him up and treated him kindly. But there was more work to be done. The savage who was knocked down was only stun- ned, and he was sitting up. This frightened the runaway very much. Iraised my gun as if I would fire at the savage. At this the run- © away made a motion for me to let him take my sword, which hung naked in my belt, at my side. As soon as he had the sword he ran at his enemy and cut off his head at one blow. ‘Then he took the head and ran to me and laid it and the sword at my feet, laughing as he did so. I-signed to him to follow me, for fear others should search for him. » yy} Yy Yj; SSS EE Bp WY . a WAV \\\\ f F — i Wy H =f it { -f——— — ¢y i SAU A aenehy Lg \ “A We FA is Wg ih f Ae h sues,’ Hy i} MG ( i i= t GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH THE NEW SERVANT. My savage made signs that he would bury his two enemies, and [ made signs to him to do so. This being done, I took him to my cave and gave him some bread, a bunch of raisins, anda 90 ROBINSON CRUSOE. cup of water, then told him, by motions, to lie down and sleep on some rice straw and a blanket which I placed there for him. While he was sleeping I had a chance to study him more closely. He was a fine looking fellow, tall and straight. He had a manly, pleasant face, plump and round. His hair was long and black, his forehead high and broad, and he had bright, sparkling, black eyes. His skin was quite dark, though not black. I think he was about twenty-five years old. When he awoke he looked for me. I was out milking my goats. As soon as he saw me he ran to me, threw himself flat on the ground, and, taking one of my feet, placed it on his head as before, to show how he would serve me. I let him know that his name was to be Fri- day, which was the day on which his life was saved, and I taught him that he was to call me master. Taking a cup of milk, I drank some of it and moistened my bread in some. I gave Fri- day acup of milk; he did the same thing with his bread, showing by signs.that he thought it very cood. GETTING ACQUAINTED. " 9] After supper, I started with Friday to the shore. He carried my sword and one gun, and I carried two others. When we came tothe place where the dread- ful feast had been made, I grew faint at the sight. It was covered with the remains of the bodies of the poor savages. I told Friday to gather these up and burn them. He would have eaten some of the flesh, but I showed such anger at this that he did not of- fer again to take any. When we went back to the cave I gave Fri- day a pair of goat-skin trousers, a goat-skin coat, anda cap made of hare’s skin. He was very proud of his clothes, though he hardly knew how to get around at first, when dressed in them, for he had never worn clothes. Now I wondered where I should make a bed for Friday. I wanted to do well by him, and yet I wished to feel safe myself, so I madea tent for him in the space between the two fences. This tent opened by a door into my yar. The door was made to lock from the inside, and I locked it and took in my ladder every 92 ROBINSON CRUSOE. night, so that Friday could not reach me. Had I known what a true friend he was to me, I should not have wanted to lock him out. I learned from Friday, later, that he came from the mainland, and that there were several tribes of Indians there who were constantly at war with one another. The army that won the battle would feast on the prisoners which they had taken. Some of these feasts were kept on my island. ROBINSON A TEACHER. 93 ROBINSON A TEACHER. Friday, after a while, knew English so well that I could talk to him about anything that I wished. I taught him that there is one God who made everything, and that He loves menas a father loves his children, and that He cares for them even more tenderly than does a father. When Christmas time came I taught him about Jesus. I told him how I happened to be on the island, and how long I had been there, and what a hard time I had had at first to get food and make a home, and how lonely I had been until he came. I taught him to shoot a gun. At first, every time that he heard it he was so fright- ened that he trembled, but he soon got over that. y4 ROBINSON CRUSOE. Talso taught Friday how to plant and har- vest the wheat and rice, and how to make baskets and dishes. He milked the goats every morning and evening, and made butter and cheese: One day it had been very warm, and toward evening the sky was covered with dark clouds. It began to thunder and lightning, and Friday cowered away into a dark corner of the house. I could not think why it was that he was so frightened and trembled so all over; so I said, “Hriday, what is the matter?” There was no answer. “Well, well,” thought I, ‘‘is Friday afraid of thunderand lightning as so many people are?” That was the case, for when it thundered louder he trembled still more. ‘“‘Listen to been developed and discussed in the regular study called literature. In the latter work it is only the teacher who needs the book at all; it will show her what parts of the story are suitable for school use, and how they can best be taught. Then after the pupils are acquainted with the facts, they can turn to their books to read them; their interest in the thought is still keen; and, as it offers no difficulties, nearly all of their effort can be directed to the expression of the thought through the printed symbols. Thus two dis- ‘tinct lines of work, literature and reading, may run parallel, the latter being dependent upon the former and following after it. F. M. MCMURRY. Franklin School, Sept. 15, 1894, Buffalo, N. Y. APPENDIX. f METHOD OF TEACHING ROBINSON CRUSOE. “The indestructible vitality of this book must be sought, not alone in the entertainment it affords, but chiefly in its symbolism. There can be no doubt that Robinson’s experiences possess a deep symbolic mean- ing. His life upon the lonely island is in a certain sense the life of mankind, which, launched, as it were, into ex- istence upon earth with but scanty equipment, by the exercise of great ingenuity and at the expense of end- less hardships, in the course of history, converts the un- certain condition to which it awoke upon the dawn of self-consciousness, into one of passable comfort. ”— Rein. These words give us the key to the teacher’s atti- tude toward Robinson Crusoe as a literary masterpiece. The manner in which the teacher presents this classic to a class of children will depend chiefly upon how thor- oughly he is conscious of the ultimate aim of his work, and how truly he breathes the spirit of the story. The story may be used only as reading material, and the children will catch something of its spirit, grasp some ‘of its symbolic meaning; or it may first be presented orally* also, and the children will live in ideal inter- - #* As reading material, the story is best suited in its present form to the third grade; if orally presented first, the story is suit- able for the average second grade. In the following discussion we shall have in mind chiefiy an oral presentation of Robinson Crusoe. Thus we shall not exclude anything of value to the teacher who prefers to use the work as reading matter only; while at the same time emphasizing and illustrating a form of early work in literature that as yet tinds but limited apprecia- tion viz., oral presentation. 8 APPENDIX. course with Robinson and his environment. In either case, the teacher should realize that here is subject- matter eminently fitted to be educative in the broadest and deepest sense, but that it can be efficiently educa- tive only when he himself feels its inspiration, and rec- ognizes just wherein it instructs and uplifts. To meet this requirement the teacher must first, if possible, drink deep from the original fountain, De Foe’s own work, for it alone, in this case, can be the ‘‘teacher of teachers;”’ second, he must throw upon the tale the search-light of pedagogic insight to see what it re-. quires in his method of presentation. In his introductory chapter Dr. McMurry has stated the ultimate aim of this classic as used in school, to be one with the aim of education, viz., character-building; and that it comprehends not merely the ethical, but also the social, economic, and industrial relations of man. It is quite necessary for the teacher fully to appreci- ate the force of Robinson Crusoe along these lines, for his organization of the instruction will depend upon it. The story is, as it were, a simple philosophy of history, revealing certain of the simpler phases of man’s social and industrial growth, in the light of their moral sig- nificance. The teacher must be able to detect just what ethical, social, and economic conceptions under- lie the whole, where they are most forcibly developed, and where brought to a climax, so that he will be able to judge when they may best be brought out in instruc- tion, how and where they may be made to strengthen each other, and what arrangement will give the most natural succession. These considerations will go very far toward determining the objective point in the pre- -sentation of each section of the story. ‘‘ What am I working for here?” is the question the teacher should APPENDIX. +8) have clearly settled in his own mind before attempting to discuss any organic part of the story with a class. Thus, e. g., the topic, which we shall treat more fully further on, ‘‘ Robinson in His New Home,” may have a variety of possible objective points; but two seem espe- cially fitting at this juncture of the story. First, the story here may be made to set forth forcibly that Rob- inson was reaping as he had sowed, and that he would far better have honored his father and mother; here we have a climax, as it were, of all that has gone be- fore; the preceding ethical conceptions have one by one led up to this thought in natural sequence. But, second, these very ethical conceptions now introduce us to conditions in Robinson’s physical environment that determine the entire further development of the story and the growth of certain social and economic conceptions;:é. g., this part of the story teaches at once how man, isolated, 7. e., apart from institutional life of any kind whatever, is at the mercy of the somewhat doubtful, often crude, bounty of nature; while at the same time it points directly to conceptions of man’s eco- nomic, social, and industrial growth as soon as he be- gins to develop his arts by the transformation of na- ture’s raw materials and to perfect them by the divi- sion of labor,—-conceptions, however, which can only be had much later in the story, though they begin to develop as soon as Robinson touches the island. Lack of space prevents a rehearsal of all the under- lying conceptions. The following are the most impor- tant ethical relations: The opening chapters involve chiefly the ideas of diligence and idleness, obedience and disobedience, filial and parental love, the feeling of dependence upon a Higher Being, the love and care of the Creator and gratitude toward Him. Somewhat later 10 . APPENDIX. appear the ideas of man’s higher duties toward him- self, toward his fellow men, and the brute world. One does not have to enter far into the story, however, be- fore realizing, as pointed out in the introduction, that these ideas gather strength by constant re-exemplifica- tion. It is not the idea that the teacher shall preach these moral lessons, but rather so guide the instruction that they shall shine through with a clearer light at each step. Let us also.call to mind, in this connection, that many of the ethical ideas enumerated above re- call our commonest sayings and proverbs, whichalways express so pithily the homeliest and yet often most es- sential of human obligations, e.g.: ‘‘Honor thy father and mother,” ‘‘Idleness is the parent of vice,” “‘Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do,” “Give us this day our daily bread,” ‘‘Love thy neighbor as thy- self.” One of the charms in Robinson’s story is that it is able to hold our interest in spite of the fact that the hero (?) himself is but the commonest of men, without even a profession, a special talent, an accomplishment, or a “‘fad, ’to entertain us. His life appeals directly to the common, practical and moral consciousness of every human heart; it should do so in instruction. Among the social and economic conceptions directly involved in the development of the story are those of apprenticeship, maritime commerce, money, the rela- tions of home to child, division of labor and the at- tendant development and perfection of human arts, the calendar, means of human intercourse, dependence of man and his occupations upon environment, man’s relations to plant and animal life, etc. ‘‘What,” you ask, ‘‘are these problems in Robinson Crusoe?” Yes, they are all fibres of the main theme; Robinson Crusoe could not have been written without directly appealing APPENDIX. 11 to our notions of just these phases of human develop- ment. Yet it deals with them in their simplest form, never marring the charm of the narrative or detracting from the interest. It but remains for the teacher so to guide the instruction, that certain very significant so- cial and economic thoughts stand out in bold relief be- fore the child’s mentalvision. Here again, the teacher must exercise great care in selection and arrangement; not everything and anything, but rather a few well de- fined fundamental notions. For instance, the first chap- ters constantly emphasize the value to man of certain social institutions, such as the family, companionship, education, trade, etc. This part of the story, then, is the most fitting place for a corresponding emphasis in instruction, leaving other thoughts for a more suitable opportunity. Later come a great many conceptions that find a center in the thought of man’s dependence on nature, and still later others that cluster around the thought of his industrial development. Thus far we have tried to show how the teacher should permit the ultimate aim in using the story to lead him to a thoughtful, analytic inspection of its thought-structure. Ordinarily, one of the most pains-taking tasks of the teacher is the division of his subject into a series of well-articulated topics or method-wholes, each one of which is a unity. These unities are determined in part by their own internal structure, in part by their relation to the whole story; for they should both con- tain some central unifying interest and constitute or- ganic links of the larger whole. This work has been happily accomplished in the accompanying text by the division into short chapters, each of which has its own problem, its own center of,interest, and makes an es- 12 APPENDIX. sential contribution to the narrative as a whole. Asa rule, the teacher will do well to accept this division, al- though it may occasionally be found advisable, guided by the above requirements, to combine two successive chapters into a single topic, or to divide one into two. Let us now arrive at some of the further details of _ method, by arranging one of these topics or method- wholes about as it would be thought out by the teacher in preparing to present it to a class of second-grade children: ROBINSON IN H1s NEW HOME. Aim.—Let us find out next where Robinson was and what happened to him after the shipwreck. (This aim is designed especially to make the connection with pre- vious instruction and to arouse thought in the children concerning Robinson’s present condition.) Preparation and Presentation.—(Which,in the develop- ing form of presentation, discussed later, must move along together.) I. Where had the waves thrown Robinson during the shipwreck? How was he able to help himself? Do we know on what land he had beenthrown? Did Robinson? Did he care or think about that at first? What did he think of; do? (Gratitude to God; prayer.) His struggle in the water and on the rock had made him very tired. ~ What will he do next? (Rest.) And then? (Where he is.) | (His comrades.) If he thinks of them, he will want to find them. He sees no one near him. What will he do? (Gotolook forthem.) Yes, and now he begins to look about him to see what kind of a country he is in. He is by the rocks near the water, but further up on the land what will he see? (Trees, bushes.) But no houses, no people belonging to the country. Where will he look for his comrades? (Along the shore, by the rocks, under trees, etc.) Yet he finds noone. Can he try to find them in any other way? What can you do when you want to find where some one is whom you do not see? (Call aloud.) But as soon as Robinson called aloud once, he felt afraid. Why? (The echo of his APPENDIX. i3 voice. Indians, wild animals, will hear.) Where could wild animals be? (Bushes, trees.) How could they fina him? (Hear his shouting and calling.) He stops shout- ing, for he is afraid; but thinking of wild animals has made him afraid to do something else? (To go too far.) How do most men travel safely where wild animals are? (Guns, etc.) How about Robinson? (Has none.) What has he? (Only his clothes, shirt, coat, trousers, stockings, shoes.) His hat? (Lostin the sea.) Ashe has nothing to protect him, he will not go far. How long has Robinson been on the land? How long did the storm last? How long since he had eaten? Now he will begin to feel——? (Hungry, thirsty.) What can you do when you are hungry and thirsty? But Robin- son? Is there away for him to get food? (Hunt for it.) What can he hunt for? (Berries, fruits, nuts.) But we know he is afraid; why? He only goes a little way and can find nothing toeat. It is almost night, too. Heis still more afraid——? What do you do every night ? Why? (Tired, sleepy.) Is Robinson now, too? Why? Where shall he sleep ? (Grass, trees, etc.) Which place will be best? Why? There is something he will surely think of before he goes to sleep (His home, parents, prayer to God.) 1st Reproduction of the story thus far developed by the upils. 5 TT. Sub-aim-—-W hat becomes of the hungry and thirsty Robinson? (The children express their surmises. The teacher, starting with their thoughts, proceeds to de- velop the events of the second day as above, depicting Robinson’s awakening in the morning, his first feelings and thoughts, the scene of the bright, joyous day about him, his renewed search for food and its vain outcome, his determination to seek elsewhere, how he arms him- self and wanders off, finally discovering the fruits, corn, a sweet spring, etc. There must beaconstant contrast between the children’s own resources at home and Rob- inson’s on the island, between the ease with which they can obtain and the pains he must take to get a little.) 2d Reproduction of the foregoing by the pupils. III. Sub-aim-—(Preserve connection here with the first or mainaim.) Do we know yet what kind of a land 4 ; APPENDIX. Robinson is on? That is what we shall learn next. (Developing as before, the teacher proceeds to show how Robinson finds out about the land; he depicts Rob- inson’s ascent of the mountain, and what he sees about him, the land surrounded on all sides by water, the scenery of the island; the children realize with Robinson that he is entirely cut off from the rest of the world, that he must now provide for his own safety and living, especially that he must find a better place to sleep, etc.) 8d Reproduction of the foregoing. Total Reproduction of the entire method whole. In the above it has been assumed that at least one of the three suhb-divisions of the topic could be devel- oped and reproduced in a single recitation. But under different circumstances from those assumed above,more and possibly less might be necessary. Let the stopping place in each case be a natural point of rest. Let the reproduction be frequent enough, and repeated often enough, to insure a mastery of the story. Each recita- tion should open, after the statement of its aim, with a reproduction of the work of the preceding lesson, and close with a reproduction of its own. We will not dis- miss our topic, however, with a satisfactory total re- production. Alas for him who has never been taught to reflect upon the literature he absorbs, but who dissi- pates merely in the amusement it affords him. A re- flection upon this topic 'as a whole may be directed along two lines of comparison and generalization: (1) that of its ethical significance and (2) that of its social and economic significance. In the remainder of the exercise, therefore, the final steps will appear twice.. 1st Comparison (both of Robinson’s acts with each other and with those of other characters krown to the children.) How has Robinson been getting along since he ran away from home? Has he been happy? Why not? What evil things have happened to him? (Sick- ness, storm, shipwreck, dangers, thirst, hunger, soli- APPENDIX. sae AD tude.) Who is to blame for his being where danger can overtake him? Did he know better? Had anyone tried to teach him better? Did his father and mother know better than he what was good for him? Have you ever heard of anyone else who did as Robinson did? (Little Red Riding-Hood will be cited, perhaps; as many simi- lar cases as possible are desirable.) How were they alike? What waswrong in both? (Have the child cite concrete cases as the basis of his judgment; this leads directly to the fourth main step.) Ist Generalization.—What should we all do? We should do as our parents think best and feel thankful toward them. A long time ago this same thing was said in these few words: ‘‘Honor thy father and thy mother.” 2d Comparison.— (The children now recall the circum- stances surrounding Robinson in his new life, the pains he has had to find a bed and food, that his food must all be eaten raw, that [for the ship is still undiscov- ered] he has nothing to do with; in his sorrow, too, he is alone, cut off from the kind words and loving sympa- thy of others; there is no one to help him, to talk to him, to advise him, to play with him. And why?) If we wish food, what do we do? How do we buy it? How do we get the money? Could Robinson get money and buy things? Why not? If he had money now, would it help him? Why not? Even if weare in astrange town, where we have no friends, we can buy food and a good place to sleep. How? But Robinson? To whom can we go when we are tired, hurt, sad, or in trouble? If we are lonesome, what can we do? Could Robinson? Why not? 2d Generalization.—W hy, then, should we not like to be left alone in the world as Robinson was? We should lose all the good things men can do for each other. When we live together we need not be alone, we can help each other, work for each other, earn money and buy what we need. In the foregoing exercise, we have tried to illustrate certain specific points of method. Probably in no in- stance would the questions and answers develop just as 16 APPENDIX. indicated above. More questions will undoubtedly be required, and the entire development will have to be adapted to the needs of the individual class and pupil. The mechanical organization of the exercise, further- more, appears only to the teacher; the pupil is, should be, unconscious of the teacher’s plan as shown above. He merely absorbs the story and reflects upon it. But let us look for that which the exercise seeks to typify. 1. We have sought toexemplify the proper articula- tion of the instruction. This entire section of the story is too long to be presented without pausing for a reproduction by the pupils. Hence it was arranged in three sub-divisions. Each sub-division should be so chosen that it will reach some height or climax of in- terest and pause directly at some suitable point of rest. Compare with the exercise. 2. In the above exercise we have presupposed the use of a developing form of instruction; 7.¢.,the teacher tells only so much of the story as will suffice to start it or help the pupil over difficult thoughts; otherwise he seeks, so far as possible, to let the class construct the story for themselves by putting them in possession of each successive situation. By this means they de- termine one event after another as the natural out- come of the given conditions. They live the story them- selves. They do just what everyone does in reading a story in which he is deeply absorbed,—take a keen de- light in the anticipation of impending events. It is well worth the child’s while thus to live the story in the sympathetic play of his own self-activity. Well man- aged, a developing presentation should leave the child the more thoroughly master of the story. But it may be abused. It is easy to lose control of the develop- ment and let it degenerate into a mere pumping of an- APPENDIX. 4 swers by leading questions; or it may as easily become a mere guessing contest. The only remedy in either case is to determine whether the pupils are getting full possession of the situation or not, or to have a brief re- course to direct narrative. The latter, in fact, will often appear temporarily during the process of devel- opment. Questions are not the only instruments avail- able in this form of instruction; a slight hint, word, or remark, a gesture or expressive tone often serve the purpose best. The teacher should cultivate first,skill in vivid oral narrative; this, once acquired, will gradually drift into a conversational or developing form. 3. If the teacher prefers a narrative form of pre- sentation, his steps in method will be: Aim; prepara- tory discussion of the familiar thoughts suggested by the aim and with reference to preceding events of the story; vivid oral narrative (section by section); discus- sion of the narrative and reproduction (after each sec- tion); total reproduction; thence as in the illustration above. 4. The final steps illustrate how the pupils, after thoroughly absorbing the story, may be led to reflect upon its meaning, to pass judgment upon certain of its ethical, social, and economic relations, and to compare the latter with similar known cases in other stories or from the child’s own life (reflection and comparison). The step of generalization then closes the process be- ginning with comparison, by giving a universal, or if possible proverbial, expression to the resulting truths. Let these final steps be carefully worked out, but not at too great length. If the class has mastered the story, they will already be aware of certain truths in- volved, although unable, perhaps, to give them lan- guage expression. These steps are merely designedt 18 APPENDIX. help the child to an expression of the universal mean- ing of the story, no more. A few questions will lead him to the goal in all sincerity; beyond this,beware the shoals of moral sentimentality! Oral instruction in literature, as well as reading, re- quires close attention to the detailed technique of in- struction. Insist upon good English in the child’s re- production—not all at once, but methodically and per- sistently. Give help freely here, when necessary, es- pecially at first. Seek above all to preserve what al- most every child develops naturally, an easy, spon- taneous, unaffected but expressive flow of language. Have trequent recourse to chalk and moulding board to develop clear concepts of physical relations; let the children use these means of expression. Draw only upon the child’s sphere of experiences in describing or narrating. Many of these scenes at first are strange and require care if they become intelligible to the child. We may fittingly close this chapter on method with a brief reference to the abundant material which the story of Robinson suggests along other lines of work not directly involved in the presentation of the narra- , tive. The teacher who would give some attention to the theory of concentration finds Robinson’s story a most natural and attractive center for the second year’s work. We can but summarize some of the avail- able material below: a.) Geographical material: The stars; points of the compass; direction of Robinson’s journey from the child’s home and places named in the story; climate of Robinson’s island contrasted with that of child’s home; seasons and divisions of the year; Robinson’s island moulded in sand and furnished so far as possible; home landscape, etc., compared with Robinson’s island. APPENDIX. 19 b.) Natural Science material: Fire, light; building stone, quarry, lime, clay, porcelain, glass, iron, etc.; the field, grain, corn, rice; the forest, forest trees and flowers, building wood; the meadow, meadow flowers; domestic animals, their life and uses, animals of forest and chase, birds, meadow animals, herds, water ani- mals, etc. c.) Number material: Robinson reckons time, meas- ures his fields, etc. d.) Written language: Robinson writes in his diary, SUC. The above comprehends more than a sufficient amount of material. The teacher will, of course, se- lect from this as best befits the season and the pupils’ own surroundings. The following gives a summary of some of the chief industrial and economic material, though of course not in the order it appears in the story: a.) How man provides for his dwelling. House building, quarry, mason, carpenter. b.) How he provides for his food. Agriculture, miller and mill, baker and baking, fisher and fishing, hunter and hunting, grazing. c.) How he provides for his clothing. Tailor, weaver, shoemaker, tanner. d.) How he provides for his comfort. Cabinet maker, basket maker, potter. e.) The intercourse of men with one another. Journeys, streets, highways, etc. Work and di- vision of labor. School, church, state, etc. Money. C. C. VAN LIEW. Normal, Illinois.