I went towards the east coast of the island, keeping out of sight of the anchora

I went towards the east coast of the island, keeping out of sight of the anchorage, to lind the white rock where Ben Gunn kept his boat. It took me some time to get there, olen crawling among the bushes to hide, and it was evening by the time I found the hustl, hidden in a little tent ol’ goatskins.
Hen Gunn’s home-made hoat was only a framework of tough wood, covered hy goatskins that were stretched across it, and it was quite small. but it looked serviceable had not then soon a coracle, such as the ancient Britas made, but I have seen one since, and that is what it was like. There was a small double-ended paddlic.
! sat down near the boat and ate some food while I waited for the darkness. had a plan to slip out quietly to the Hispeniola, set her free from her anchor, and let her go ashore where she limeied. I thought the mutineers might decide to sail away in her, now they had been heaten in yesterday’s fight, and I wus determined to stop them if I could.
When it hecame darker, I put Ben Gunn’s boat over my shoulders and made my way down to the shore. I could sec the mutineers” camp fire a little way inland on the low ground, and the faint glow of the cabin lights on the ship; everything else was dark, and there was no moon.
The little coracle was very safe for a person of my size, and I got along well, as 1 paddled first one side and then the other with the little oar. By good
fortune the tide took me towards the Hispaniola, and I began to see her shupe grow clearer as I came near. At last I was near enough to see her anchor line, and I held on to if. It was a very thick strong rope.
I made up my mind quickly, took out my knife and cut one afler another of the strands of the rope, till only two were left. Then I stayed quiet, waiting for the breeze. I felt the rope go loose as the wind blew the ship towards me. With a strong effort I cut the last strands of the rope. The Hispaniola was free.