d away out to sea
a boat. He looked long and anxiously and yet he was not sure that it was
a boat he saw. But how easy, thought Robinson, for the people of the
mainland, which must be at no great distance to the westward, to come
across to this side of the island in fair weather. He thought too, how
fortunate he was to have been cast on the east side of the island. For
there he had his shelter in the very safest part.

As he was coming down from a hill where he had gone to get a better view
of the sea he made another discovery. About him everywhere at the foot
of the hill were bones of all kinds. Near by too, were charcoal and
ashes. There could be no mistake, the place was visited by human beings.
These were very likely savages. Everything showed that they came for the
purpose of feasting and not for plundering. It was very likely that they
neither sought anything on the island nor expected it.

[Illustration: WATCHING FOR SAVAGES]

This thought greatly relieved Robinson. He returned home in a very
thankful and composed state of mind. He had now been on the island
almost eighteen years and had not been discovered. Yet, no doubt, the
island had been visited many times by the savages since he had been
there.

In a short time his fear of discovery wore off and he began to live just
as he did before his discovery.

He took, however, greater precaution against surprise. He always carried
his bow and arrows, his lance and knives. He was also very careful about
making a great smoke from his fire. He burned a great quantity of wood
in a pit and made charcoal. With this material he had a fine fire with a
very little smoke. Every day also he went to the top of the hill back of
his shelter in order to discover if possible the approach of savages.

XXXVI

THE LANDING OF THE SAVAGES

Another year passed by, Robinson longed more and more to get away from
the island. Year after year he had hoped and watched in vain for a
passing ship. Every day he would scan the waters that held him prisoner
for the welcome sight of a sail. He had been disappointed. Now his only
hope was to escape to the mainland in some way. He feared the savages.
He had heard stories of their being cannibals. But if they could come to
his island in their canoes against the prevailing wind, why could he not
get to the mainland with it in his favor?

Strange as it may be, Robinson began to wish for the return of the
savages. He hoped to watch them