especially to the usual practice of all creatures in fear, but I was so embarrassed with my own frightful ideas of the thing, that I formed nothing but dismal imaginations to myself, even though I was now a great way off it. Sometimes I fancied it must be the Devil. For how should any s other thing in human shape come into the place? Where was the vessel that brought them? What marks were there of any other footsteps? And how was it possible men should come there? Unless, indeed, savages from the mainland had come to the shores of my island! ΙΟ While these reflections were rolling in my mind I was very thankful in my thoughts that I was so happy as not to be thereabouts at that time or that they did not see my boat, by which they would have concluded that some inhabitants had been in the place and perhaps have searched 15 farther for me. Then terrible thoughts racked my imagination about their having found out my boat and that there were people here; and that, if so, I should certainly have them come again in greater numbers and devour me; that if it should happen that they should not find me, yet they would find my inclosure, destroy all my corn, and carry away all my flock of tame goats, and I should perish at last for mere want. 20 In the middle of these reflections it came into my thoughts one day that all this might be a mere chimera of my own, 25 and that this foot might be the print of my own foot when I came on shore from my boat. This cheered me up a little. Heartening myself therefore with the belief that this was nothing but the print of one of my own feet, I began to go 2ɔ abroad again and went to my country house to milk my flock; but to see with what fear I went forward, how often I looked behind me, how I was ready every now and then to lay down my basket and run for my life, it would have made anyone think I was haunted with an evil conscience or that I had been lately most terribly frightened; and so indeed 5 I had. However, I went down thus two or three days, and having seen nothing I began to be a little bolder and to think there was really nothing in it but my own imagination; but I could not persuade myself fully of this till I should go to down to the shore again, and see this print of a foot, and measure it by my own, and see if there was any similitude or fitness, that I might be assured it was my own foot. But when I came to the place, first, it appeared evidently to me that when I laid up my boat I could not possibly be on 15 shore anywhere thereabout. Secondly, when I came to measure the mark with my own foot I found my foot not so large by a great deal; both these things filled my head with new imaginations and gave me the vapors again to the highest degree, so that I shook with cold like one in an 20 ague; and I went home again, filled with the belief that some man or men had been on shore there; or, in short, that the island was inhabited and I might be surprised before I was aware; and what course to take for my security I knew not. Robinson Crusoe. 1. What had Crusoe done to improve his island home? How many dwellings had he? Describe each. 2. What did he grow? What animals had he? 3. Under what circumstances did he make the discovery of the footprint? What effect did the discovery have upon him? Was his fear justified, or was he merely foolish? Discuss your answer. CUSTER'S LAST CHARGE BY FREDERICK WHITTAKER The Sioux Indians were on the warpath in 1876. General Custer with 1100 men followed them to Little Big Horn River. He divided his command, and attacked with 277 men. Three thousand Indians came against the little band. Every man of the 277 fell, including Custer and the entire command of the Seventh cavalry regiment. DEAD! Is it possible? He, the bold rider, Custer, our hero, the first in the fight, Charming the bullets of yore to fly wider, Far from our battle king's ringlets of light! Dead, our young chieftain, and dead, all forsaken! 5 Slain in the desert, and never to waken- Proud for his fame that last day that he met them! All the wide valley was full of their forces, ΤΟ 15 20 Down in the valleys the ages had hollowed, Numbers! What recked he? What recked those who followed Men who had fought ten to one ere that day? Out swept the squadrons, the fated three hundred, Then down the hillsides exultingly thundered, 10 Wild Ogalallah, Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Wild Horse's braves, and the rest of their crew, Shrank from that charge like a herd from a lion, Then closed around, the grim horde of wild Sioux ! Right to their center he charged, and then facing - 20 Shot through that terrible black cloud without them, Then did he blench? Did he die like a craven, 25 Flinched like a coward or fled from the strife? Thicker and thicker the bullets came singing; War-painted warriors charging amain. Backward, again and again, they were driven, Shrinking to close with the lost little band; Never a cap that had worn the bright Seven. Bowed till its wearer was dead on the strand. Closer and closer the death circle growing, Ever the leader's voice, clarion clear, Rang out his words of encouragement glowing, "We can but die once, boys, — we'll sell our lives dear!" Dearly they sold them like Berserkers raging, Facing the death that encircled them round; Death's bitter pangs by their vengeance assuaging, Marking their tracks by their dead on the ground. Comrades, our children shall yet tell their story, Custer's last charge on the old Sitting Bull; And ages shall swear that the cup of his glory Needed but that death to render it full. I. Who was in command of the Indians? How was Custer trapped? Describe the battle. What weapons were used? Explain the reference to the "seven," line 11, page 80. 2. What other famous fighters of Indians do you know? Tell a story of their struggles with the Red Men. ΙΟ 15 20 |