pe or incline from the bank of the creek. After another weary six
months of work he had his second boat ready for launching. With a good
stout lever he gave it a start, when it rolled quickly down into the
water. Robinson again wept for joy. Of all his projects this had cost
him the most work and pains and at last to see his plans successful
filled him with delight.

The next problem was how to make it go. He had no certain knowledge how
far it was around the island, but he knew it was farther than he wanted
to row or paddle his boat. Yet he knew from the way the wind blew that
he could not always depend upon a sail to help him. He must become
skillful in paddling his boat. A sail too would be very helpful at
times. He imagined how pleasant it would be sitting in the boat sailing
along with a gentle wind. "When the wind is favorable," he thought, "I
will only have to steer with my paddle."

So he set about weaving a sail of his sisal fibre. To do this he had to
make a much larger loom than he had yet used. His sail must be at least
four feet square. He was now so skilled in weaving that this was soon
finished. He then made plenty of string, cord, and rope, put in a mast
and was ready to sail. But he did not venture far away until he had
spent weeks and weeks in learning to steer, sail, and paddle his boat.

XXXIV

ROBINSON AS A SAILOR

Ever since Robinson had finished his boat he had been eager to make a
tour of his island. He had indeed made a journey by land. But the deep
forests and tangled vines made it very difficult to travel. His journeys
had shown him but a small part of the land. He wished to know all about
the land of which he, so far as he knew, was the sole master.

His first care was to fit up his boat with provisions. He made some
large baskets in which to carry food and a large covered jar for water.
These he stored in the bow and the stern of his boat. He fastened his
parasol on the stern for a shelter from the sun. He baked up a quantity
of cakes or loaves of bread and packed them in his baskets. He had woven
these so carefully that they would almost hold water.

At last all was ready. It was on the sixth day of November in the sixth
year of his life on the island that Robinson hoisted his sail and set
out upon this voyage of discovery. He had waited until the wind was
gentle and blowing as far easterly as it does at that place. He scudded
along bravely, running with the land toward the E