Story Hour Readers Part 23

Again and again he climbed to the top and slid down, as swiftly as an arrow glides from the bow. Finally he turned a somersault at the foot of the rock, and then called to the fishes to stop dancing.

"It is time to cook dinner," said Fin-fin.

"There is a good place for a camp under the trees on the tall cliff yonder."

The fishes climbed to the top of the cliff overhanging the sea. They gathered wood and heaped it high at the edge of the cliff.

When all was ready for the bonfire, Fin-fin rubbed two sticks briskly together. Soon a spark fell upon the wood, and instantly the flames leaped upward. Then the fishes put some roots in front of the fire to roast.

While the roots were cooking, the fishes stretched themselves under the trees. They had almost fallen asleep, when suddenly great drops of rain came splas.h.i.+ng down.

A dark cloud, which they had not noticed, had covered the sun.

The rain fell hard and fast and soon put out the fire.

Now, you know, this was very serious, for people in those days had no matches, and it was difficult to light a fire. Then, too, an icy wind began to blow, and the fishes were soon s.h.i.+vering in the cold.

"We shall freeze to death unless we can build a fire again," cried Fin-fin.

He tried to kindle a flame by rubbing two sticks together. He could not produce even one spark.

"It is of no use," said Fin-fin. "The wood is too wet. We shall have to wait for the sun to s.h.i.+ne again."

A tiny fish came forward and bowed before Fin-fin, saying, "Ask my father, Flying-fish, to light the fire. He is skilled in magic, and he can do more than most fishes."

So Fin-fin asked Flying-fish to light the fire once more.

Flying-fish knelt before the smoldering ashes and fanned briskly with his fins.

A tiny thread of smoke curled upward, and a feeble red glow could be seen in the ashes.

When the tribe of fishes saw this, they crowded close around Flying-fish, keeping their backs toward the cold wind. He told them to go to the other side, because he wanted to fan the fire.

By and by the spark grew into a flame, and the bonfire burned brightly.

"Bring more wood," cried Flying-fish.

The fishes gathered wood and piled it upon the fire. The red flames roared, and sputtered, and crackled.

"We shall soon be warm now," said Fin-fin.

Then the fishes crowded around the fire, closer and closer. Suddenly a blast of wind swept across the cliff from the direction of the land, and blew the fire toward the fishes.

They sprang back, forgetting that they were on the edge of the cliff.

And down, down, down, went the whole fish tribe to the bottom of the sea.

The water felt warm, for the strong wind had driven the fire down below, too.

There, indeed, was the bonfire at the bottom of the sea, burning as brightly as ever.

More wonderful still, the fire never went out, as fires do on land. The water at the bottom of the sea has been warm ever since that day.

That is why, on frosty days, the fishes disappear from the surface of the water. They dive to the bottom of the sea, where they can keep warm and comfortable, around the magic bonfire.

AT LEAST, SO SOME PEOPLE SAY.

ROBINSON CRUSOE

Many years ago, there lived in England a boy whose name was Robinson Crusoe.

Though he had never been near the sea, Crusoe's dearest wish was to become a sailor and go on a s.h.i.+p to foreign lands.

This grieved his mother very much, and she begged the boy to remain at home. His father also warned him of danger, saying, "If you go abroad, you will be most miserable. I cannot give my consent."

It happened that Crusoe visited Hull, a large town by the sea, to say good-by to a companion who was about to sail for London. He could not resist the chance of going on a voyage, and without even sending a message to his father and mother, he went aboard the s.h.i.+p and sailed away.

Robinson Crusoe met with many strange adventures at sea. On his first voyage, the s.h.i.+p was wrecked in a fearful storm, and the crew was saved by sailors from another s.h.i.+p.

Next, Crusoe went on a voyage to Africa. On the way there the s.h.i.+p was captured by pirates. The captain of the pirates made a slave of the boy.

The man took Crusoe to his home and made him dig in the garden and work in the house.

One day Crusoe hid some food in a small boat and managed to escape, with a boy. They sailed for many long days and nights, keeping close to sh.o.r.e. They did not dare to land, because of the lions and other wild animals.

After a time they saw a Portuguese vessel. The captain allowed them to go aboard. This s.h.i.+p was bound for South America. They finally landed in Brazil.

Robinson Crusoe lived on a plantation in Brazil for several years. He raised sugar and tobacco. For a time he was happy and made money.

But Robinson Crusoe was never contented anywhere for very long. When a merchant asked him to go on another voyage to the coast of Africa, he consented, and he had soon started on this new venture.

At first the weather was very hot. Then one day, without warning, a hurricane burst upon them. The wind raged for twelve days, and the s.h.i.+p was nearly torn to pieces. No one expected to escape.

After a time the wind abated somewhat. The captain ordered the course of the s.h.i.+p changed, but soon another storm followed, even worse than the first.

Early one morning, while the wind was still roaring and the s.h.i.+p was rolling from side to side, a sailor who was peering through the fog suddenly cried out, "Land! Land!"

At the same moment, the vessel struck on a sand bar, with a grating sound. The waves dashed over the deck of the s.h.i.+p.

With great difficulty, the boats were lowered at the side of the s.h.i.+p.

All the sailors climbed into the boats, for they knew not at what moment the s.h.i.+p would break to pieces.

The men rowed bravely toward the sh.o.r.e, but suddenly a mountain-like wave rolled over them and upset the boats.

Crusoe was a very fine swimmer, but no one could swim in such a sea. It was only good fortune and his alertness that landed him safely ash.o.r.e.