The three cheers were given with a will, and Herbert went home, his heart much lighter than it had been ten minutes before.
CHAPTER XIII
THE CRUISE OF THE RAFT
It is time we carried the reader back to the time when Robert, after launching his rude raft, set out from the island of his captivity.
Notwithstanding his rather critical situation, he was in excellent spirits. The treasure which he had unearthed from the wreck very much elated him. It meant comfort and independence for a time at least, and in his new joy he was even ready to forgive his uncle for leaving him on the island and Randolph for not taking him off.
“I’ve heard of things turning out for the best,” was the thought that passed through his mind, “but I never understood it so well before.”
Robert possessed a large measure of courage and he had been used to the sea from the age of six, or as far back as he could remember, but when he had rounded the Island and paddled a few rods out to sea he began to feel serious.
There was a strong wind blowing, and this had roughened the sea and made it difficult for him to guide his extemporized raft in the direction he desired.
Had it been his uncle’s fishing boat and had he but possessed a good pair of stout oars, he would have experienced no particular difficulty.