About two hours’ run brought the boat in sight of the upper point, on which the warning beacon was built. It stood in bold relief against the sky, a tall white object, like a big round chimney.
“Will they let us go in it?” asked Bob.
“Sure, I know the keeper,” replied Sam. “He’s an old friend of mine.”
There was a little dock near the foot of the lighthouse and to this the boat was made fast. As the boys scrambled up the rocks that led to a little level plateau on which the house was built, they kept their eyes open for a sight of Bill Berry.
The only person they saw, however, was a little girl. She had light flaxen hair which streamed all about her head in the stiff wind that was blowing.
“Hello lassie; is your papa in?” asked Sam.
“Yes, sir, he’s filling the lamps.”
“Tell him Robinson Crusoe and his three men, Friday, Saturday and Sunday would like to see him.”
“Are you really and truly Robinson Crusoe?” demanded the child, her eyes big with wonder.