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The World's Greatest Books — Volume 03 — Fiction by Various
page 43 of 439 (09%)
pursued by the whole body. But my spirits began to recover when I found
that but three men followed him, and that he outstripped them
exceedingly, in running.

Presently he came to a creek and, making nothing of it, plunged in,
landed, and ran on with exceeding strength. Two of the pursuers swam the
creek, but the third went no farther, and soon after went back again. I
immediately took my two guns, ran down the hill and clapped myself in
the way between the pursuers and the pursued, hallooing aloud to him
that fled. Then, rushing on the foremost of the pursuers, I knocked him
down with the stock of my piece. The other stopped, as if frightened,
but as I came nearer, I perceived he was fitting a bow and arrow to
shoot at me; so I was then obliged to shoot at him first, which I did
and killed him.

The poor savage who fled was so frightened with the noise of my piece
that he seemed inclined still to fly. I gave him all the signs of
encouragement I could think of, and he came nearer, kneeling down every
ten or twelve steps. I took him up and made much of him, and comforted
him. Then, beckoning him to follow me, I took him to my cave on the
farther part of the island. Here, having refreshed him, I made signs for
him to lie down to sleep, which the poor creature did. After he had
slumbered about half an hour, he came out of the cave, running to me,
laying himself down and setting my foot upon his head to let me know he
would serve me so long as he lived.

In a little time I began to speak to him and teach him to speak to me;
and, first, I let him know his name should be Friday, which was the day
I saved his life. I likewise taught him to say "Master," and then let
him know that was to be my name. I made a little tent for him, and took
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