Enid Blyton Adventure 1 the Island of Adventure(1)

7/18/2019 Enid Blyton Adventure 1 the Island of Adventure(1)

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Blyton, Enid - Adventure 1 - The Island of Adventure

Chapter 1

THE BEGINNING OF THING

It !as really "ost e#traordinary$

There !as %hilip &annerin', doin' his (est to pu))le out al'e(ra pro(le"s, lyin'

full-len'th under a tree !ith no(ody near hi" at all and yet he *ould hear a voi*e

spea+in' to hi" "ost distin*tly$

you shut the door, idiot said the voi*e, in a "ost i"patient tone$ And ho! "any

ti"es have I told you to !ipe your feet

%hilip sat up strai'ht and too+ a 'ood loo+ round for the third ti"e (ut the hillside

stret*hed a(ove and (elo! hi", *o"pletely e"pty of any (oy, 'irl, "an or !o"an$

Its so silly, said %hilip to hi"self$ Be*ause there is no door to shut, and no "at to

!ipe "y feet on$ .hoever is spea+in' "ust (e perfe*tly "ad$ Any!ay, I dont li+e

it$ A voi*e !ithout a (ody is too /ueer for anythin'$

A s"all (ro!n nose po+ed up out of %hilips 0ersey *ollar$ It (elon'ed to a little

(ro!n "ouse, one of the (oys "any pets$ %hilip put up a 'entle hand and ru((ed

the tiny *reatures head$ Its nose t!it*hed in deli'ht$

hut the door, idiot roared the voi*e fro" no!here$ And dont sni2$ .heres your

hand+er*hief

This !as too "u*h for %hilip$ He roared (a*+$

hut up I" not sni3n'$ .ho are you, any!ay

There !as no ans!er$ %hilip felt very pu))led$ It !as un*anny and pe*uliar$ .here

did that e#traordinary voi*e !ith its rude *o""ands *o"e fro", on this (ri'ht,

sunny (ut *o"pletely e"pty hillside He shouted a'ain$

I" !or+in'$ If you !ant to tal+, *o"e out and sho! yourself$

All ri'ht, 4n*le, said the voi*e, spea+in' une#pe*tedly in a very di2erent tone,apolo'eti* and /uiet$

Gosh said %hilip$ I *ant stand this$ Ill have to solve the "ystery$ If I *an 5nd out

!here the voi*e *o"es fro", I "ay 5nd its o!ner$ He shouted a'ain$ .here are

you Co"e out and let "e see you$



If Ive told you on*e Ive told you a do)en ti"es not to !histle, ans!ered the voi*e

5er*ely$ %hilip !as silent !ith astonish"ent$ He hadnt (een !histlin'$ Evidently the

o!ner of the voi*e "ust (e *o"pletely "ad$ %hilip suddenly felt that he didnt !ant

to "eet this stran'e person$ He !ould rather 'o ho"e !ithout seein' hi"$

He loo+ed *arefully round$ He had no idea at all !here the voi*e *a"e fro", (ut herather thou'ht it "ust (e so"e!here to the left of hi"$ All ri'ht, he !ould 'o

/uietly do!n the hill to the ri'ht, +eepin' to the trees if he *ould, so that they "i'ht

hide hi" a little$

He pi*+ed up his (oo+s, put his pen*il into his po*+et and stood up *autiously$ He

al"ost 0u"ped out of his s+in as the voi*e (ro+e out into *a*+les of lau'hter$ %hilip

for'ot to (e *autious and darted do!n the hillside to the shelter of a *lu"p of trees$

The lau'hter stopped suddenly$

%hilip stood under a (i' tree and listened$ His heart (eat fast$ He !ished he !as

(a*+ at the house !ith the others$ Then, 0ust a(ove his head, the voi*e spo+e a'ain$

Ho! "any ti"es have I told you to !ipe your feet

Then there *a"e a "ost unearthly s*ree*h that "ade poor %hilip drop his (oo+s in

terror$ He loo+ed up into the tree near(y, and sa! a (eautiful parrot, s*arlet and

'rey, !ith a (i' *rest on its head that it !or+ed up and do!n$ It 'a)ed at %hilip !ith

(ri'ht (la*+ eyes, its head on one side, its *urved (ea+ "a+in' a 'ratin' noise$

%hilip stared at the parrot and the parrot stared (a*+$ Then the (ird lifted up a

*la!ed foot and s*rat*hed its head very thou'htfully, still raisin' and lo!erin' its

*rest$ Then it spo+e$

6ont sni2, it said, in a *onversational tone$ Cant you shut the door, idiot .here

are your "anners

Golly said %hilip, in a"a)e"ent$ o it !as you tal+in' and shoutin' and lau'hin'

.ell you 'ave "e an a!ful fri'ht$

The parrot 'ave a "ost realisti* snee)e$ .heres your hand+er*hief it said$

%hilip lau'hed$ 7ou really are a "ost e#traordinary (ird, he said$ The *leverest I

ever sa!$ .here have you es*aped fro"

.ipe your feet, ans!ered the parrot sternly$ %hilip lau'hed a'ain$ Then he heard

the sound of a (oys voi*e, *allin' loudly fro" the (otto" of the hill$

8i+i, 8i+i, 8i+i .here have you 'ot to

The parrot spread out its !in's, 'ave a hideous s*ree*h, and sailed a!ay do!n the

hillside to!ards a house set at the foot$ %hilip !at*hed it 'o$



That !as a (oy *allin' it, he thou'ht$ And he !as in the 'arden of Hillfoot House,

!here I" stayin'$ I !onder if hes *o"e there to (e *ra""ed too$ I 0olly !ell hope

he has$ It !ould (e 5ne to have a parrot li+e that livin' !ith us$ Its dull enou'h

havin' to do lessons in the hols a parrot !ould liven thin's up a (it$

%hilip had had s*arlet fever the ter" (efore, and "easles i""ediately after!ards,so that he had "issed "ost of his s*hool-!or+$ His head"aster had !ritten to his

un*le and aunt su''estin' that he should 'o and stay at the ho"e of one of the

tea*hers for a fe! !ee+s, to "a+e up a little of !hat he had "issed$ And, "u*h to

%hilips dis'ust, his un*le had at on*e a'reed so there !as %hilip, in the su""er

holidays, havin' to !or+ at al'e(ra and 'eo'raphy and history, instead of havin' a

5ne ti"e !ith his sister 6inah at his ho"e, Cra''y-Tops, (y the sea$

He li+ed the "aster, &r$ 9oy, (ut he !as (ored !ith the t!o other (oys there, !ho,

also o!in' to illness, !ere (ein' *ra""ed or *oa*hed (y &r$ 9oy$ One !as "u*h

older than %hilip, and the other !as a poor !hinin' *reature !ho !as si"ply

terri5ed of the various inse*ts and ani"als that %hilip al!ays see"ed to (e*olle*tin' or res*uin'$ The (oy !as intensely fond of all *reatures and had an

a"a)in' +na*+ of "a+in' the" trust hi"$

No! he hurried do!n the hillside, ea'er to see if another pupil had 0oined the little

holiday *olle*tion of (oys to (e *oa*hed$ If the ne! (oy o!ned the parrot, he !ould

(e so"e(ody interestin' "ore interestin' than that (i' lout of a a", and (etter

fun than poor !hinin' Oliver$

He opened the 'arden 'ate and then stared in surprise$ A 'irl !as in the 'arden, not

a very (i' 'irl perhaps a(out eleven$ he had red hair, rather *urly, and 'reen eyes,

a fair s+in and hundreds of fre*+les$ he stared at %hilip$

Hallo, said %hilip, rather li+in' the loo+ of the 'irl, !ho !as dressed in shorts and a

0ersey$ Have you *o"e here

:oo+s li+e it, said the 'irl, !ith a 'rin$ But I havent *o"e to !or+$ Only to (e !ith

;a*+$

.hos ;a*+ as+ed %hilip$

&y (rother, said the 'irl$ Hes 'ot to (e *oa*hed$ 7ou should have seen his report

last ter"$ He !as (otto" in everythin'$ Hes very *lever really, (ut he 0ust doesnt

(other$ He says hes 'oin' to (e an ornitholo'ist, so !hats the 'ood of learnin'dates and *apes and poe"s and thin's

.hats an an !hatever it !as you said said %hilip, !onderin' ho! anyone *ould

possi(ly have so "any fre*+les on her nose as this 'irl had$

Ornitholo'ist Oh, its so"eone !ho loves and studies (irds, said the 'irl$ 6idnt

you +no! that ;a*+s "ad on (irds$



He ou'ht to *o"e and live !here I live then, said %hilip at on*e$ I live on a very

!ild, lonely part of the sea-*oast, and there are heaps of rare sea-(irds there$ I li+e

(irds too, (ut I dont +no! "u*h a(out the"$ I say does that parrot (elon' to ;a*+

7es, said the 'irl$ Hes had her for four years$ Her na"e is 8i+i$

6id he tea*h it to say all those thin's said %hilip, thin+in' that thou'h ;a*+ "i'ht

(e (otto" in all s*hool su(0e*ts he !ould *ertainly 'et top "ar+s for tea*hin'

parrots to tal+

Oh no, said the 'irl, s"ilin', so that her 'reen eyes t!in+led and *rin+led$ 8i+i 0ust

pi*+ed up those sayin's of hers pi*+ed the" up fro" our old un*le, !ho is the

*rossest old "an in the !orld, I should thin+$ Our "other and father are dead, so

4n*le Geo2rey has us in the hols, and doesnt he 0ust hate it His house+eeper hates

us too, so !e dont have "u*h of a ti"e, (ut so lon' as I have ;a*+, and so lon' as

;a*+ has his (eloved (irds, !e are happy enou'h$

I suppose ;a*+ 'ot sent here to learn a fe! thin's, li+e "e, said %hilip$ 7oull (e

lu*+y youll (e a(le to play, 'o for !al+s, do !hat you li+e, !hilst !e are ste!in' in

lessons$

No, I shant, said the 'irl$ I shall (e !ith ;a*+$ I dont have hi" in the s*hool ter", so

I" 0olly !ell 'oin' to have hi" in the hols$ I thin+ hes "arvellous$

.ell, thats "ore than "y sister, 6inah, thin+s of "e, said %hilip$ .ere al!ays

/uarrellin'$ Hallo is this ;a*+

A (oy *a"e up the path to!ards %hilip$ On his left shoulder sat the parrot, 8i+i,

ru((in' her (ea+ softly a'ainst ;a*+s ear, and sayin' so"ethin' in a lo! voi*e$ The

(oy s*rat*hed the parrots head and 'a)ed at %hilip !ith the sa"e 'reen eyes as his

sister had$ His hair !as even redder, and his fa*e so fre*+led that it !ould have

(een i"possi(le to 5nd a *lear spa*e any!here, for there see"ed to (e fre*+les on

top of fre*+les$

Hallo, Fre*+les, said %hilip, and 'rinned$

Hallo, Tufty, said ;a*+, and 'rinned too$ %hilip put up his hand and felt his front (it of

hair, !hi*h al!ays rose up in a sort of tuft$ No a"ount of !ater and (rushin' !ould

"a+e it lie do!n for lon'$

.ipe your feet, said 8i+i severely$

I" 'lad you found 8i+i all ri'ht, said the 'irl$ he didnt li+e *o"in' to a stran'e

pla*e, and thats !hy she <e! o2, I e#pe*t$



he !asnt far a!ay, :u*y-Ann, said ;a*+$ I (et old Tufty here 'ot a fri'ht if he heard

her up on the hillside$

I did, said %hilip, and (e'an tellin' the t!o !hat had happened$ They lau'hed

loudly, and 8i+i 0oined in, *a*+lin' in a "ost hu"an "anner$

Golly, I" 'lad you and :u*y-Ann have *o"e here, said %hilip, feelin' "u*h happier

than he had felt for so"e days$ He li+ed the loo+ of the red-haired, 'reen-eyed

(rother and sister very "u*h$ They !ould (e friends$ He !ould sho! the" the

ani"als he had as pets$ They *ould 'o for !al+s to'ether$ ;a*+ !as so"e years

older than :u*y-Ann, a(out fourteen, %hilip thou'ht, 0ust a little older than he

hi"self !as$ It !as a pity 6inah !asnt there too, then there !ould (e four of the"$

6inah !as t!elve$ he !ould 5t in ni*ely only, perhaps, !ith her /ui*+ i"patien*e

and /uarrelso"e nature, she "i'ht upset thin's a (it$

Ho! di2erent :u*y-Ann and ;a*+ are fro" "e and 6inah, thou'ht %hilip$ It !as /uite

plain that :u*y-Ann adored ;a*+, and %hilip *ould not i"a'ine 6inah han'in' on to

his !ords, ea'er to do his (iddin', fet*hin' and *arryin' for hi", as :u*y-Ann did for

;a*+$

Oh, !ell people are di2erent, thou'ht the (oy$ 6inahs a 'ood sort, even if !e do

/uarrel and 5'ht$ he "ust (e havin' a pretty a!ful ti"e at Cra''y-Tops !ithout

"e$ I (et Aunt %olly is !or+in' her hard$

It !as pleasant at tea-ti"e that day to sit and !at*h ;a*+s parrot on his shoulder,

"a+in' re"ar+s fro" ti"e to ti"e$ It !as 'ood to see the 'lint in :u*y-Anns 'reen

eyes as she teased (i', slo! a", and ti*+ed o2 the s"aller, peevish Oliver$ Thin's

!ould liven up a (it no!$

They *ertainly did$ Holiday *oa*hin' !as "u*h "ore fun !ith ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann

there too$

Chapter =

&A8ING F9IEN6

&r$ 9oy, the holiday "aster, !or+ed the *hildren hard, (e*ause that !as his 0o($ He

*oa*hed the" the !hole of the "ornin', 'oin' over and over everythin' patiently,

"a+in' sure it !as understood, de"andin', and usually 'ettin', *lose attention$

At least he 'ot it fro" everyone e#*ept ;a*+$ ;a*+ 'ave *lose attention to nothin'

unless it had feathers$



If you studied your 'eo"etry as *losely as you study that (oo+ on (irds, youd (e

top of any *lass, *o"plained &r$ 9oy$ 7ou e#asperate "e, ;a*+ Trent$ 7ou e#asperate

"e "ore than I *an say$

4se your hand+er*hief, said the parrot i"pertinently$

&r$ 9oy "ade a *li*+in' noise of annoyan*e !ith his ton'ue$ I shall !rin' that (irds

ne*+ one day$ .hat !ith you sayin' you *ant !or+ unless 8i+i is on your shoulder,

and %hilip har(ourin' all +inds of unpleasant *reatures a(out his person, this holiday

*lass is rapidly 'ettin' un(eara(le$ The only one that appears to do any !or+ at all

is :u*y-Ann, and she hasnt *o"e here to !or+$

:u*y-Ann li+ed !or+$ he en0oyed sittin' (eside ;a*+, tryin' to do the sa"e !or+ as

he had (een set$ ;a*+ "ooned over it, thin+in' of 'annets and *or"orants, !hi*h he

had 0ust (een readin' a(out, !hilst :u*y-Ann tried her hand at solvin' the pro(le"s

set out in his too+$ he li+ed, too, !at*hin' %hilip, (e*ause she never +ne! !hat

ani"al or *reature !ould !al+ out of his sleeve or *ollar or po*+et$ The day (efore, a

very lar'e and pe*uliarly *oloured *aterpillar had *ra!led fro" his sleeve, to &r$

9oys intense annoyan*e$ And that "ornin' a youn' rat had left %hilips sleeve on a

0ourney of e#ploration and had 'one up &r$ 9oys trouser-le' in a "ost deter"ined

"anner$

This had upset the !hole *lass for ten "inutes !hilst &r$ 9oy had tried to dislod'e

the rat$ It !as no !onder he !as in a (ad te"per$ He !as usually a patient and

a"ia(le "an, (ut t!o (oys li+e ;a*+ and %hilip !ere distur(in' to any *lass$

The "ornin's !ere al!ays passed in hard !or+$ The afternoons !ere 'iven to

preparation for the ne#t day, and to the !ritin'-out of ans!ers on the "ornin's

!or+$ The evenin's !ere *o"pletely free$ As there !ere only four (oys to *oa*h, &r$

9oy *ould 'ive the" ea*h individual attention, and try to 5ll in the 'aps in their

+no!led'e$ 4sually he !as a "ost su**essful *oa*h, (ut these holidays !ere not

sho!in' as "u*h 'ood !or+ as he had hoped$

a", the (i' (oy, !as stupid and slo!$ Oliver !as peevish, sorry for hi"self, and

resented havin' to !or+ at all$ ;a*+ !as i"possi(le, so inattentive at ti"es that it

see"ed !aste of ti"e to try and tea*h hi"$ He see"ed to thin+ of nothin' (ut

(irds$ If I 're! feathers, he !ould pro(a(ly do everythin' I told hi", thou'ht &r$

9oy$ I never +ne! anyone so "ad on (irds (efore$ I (elieve he +no!s the e''s of

every (ird in the !orld$ Hes 'ot 'ood (rains, (ut he !ont use the" for anythin'that hes not really interested in$

%hilip !as the only (oy !ho sho!ed "u*h i"prove"ent, thou'h he !as a trial too,

!ith his di2erent and pe*uliar pets$ That rat &r$ 9oy shuddered !hen he thou'ht of

ho! it had felt, *li"(in' up his le'$



9eally, :u*y-Ann !as the only one !ho !or+ed properly, and she didnt need to$ he

had only *o"e (e*ause she !ould not (e separated fro" her /ueer (rother, ;a*+$

;a*+, %hilip and :u*y-Ann soon (e*a"e 5r" friends$ The love for all livin' thin's that

(oth ;a*+ and %hilip had dre! the" to'ether$ ;a*+ had never had a (oy for a friend

(efore, and he en0oyed %hilips 0o+es and teasin'$ :u*y-Ann li+ed %hilip too, thou'hshe !as so"eti"es 0ealous !hen ;a*+ sho!ed his li+in' for hi"$ 8i+i loved %hilip,

and "ade funny *roonin' noises !hen the (oy s*rat*hed her head$

8i+i had (een a 'reat annoyan*e to &r$ 9oy at 5rst$ he had interrupted the

"ornin's *onstantly !ith her re"ar+s$ It !as unfortunate that the "aster had a

sni2, (e*ause 8i+i spo+e a(out it !henever he sni2ed$

6ont sni2 the parrot !ould say in a reprovin' tone, and the 5ve *hildren !ould

(e'in to 'i''le$ o &r$ 9oy for(ade 8i+i to (e (rou'ht into the *lassroo"$

But "atters only (e*a"e !orse, (e*ause 8i+i, furious at (ein' shut a!ay outside in

the 'arden, una(le to sit on her (eloved "asters shoulder, sat in a (ush outside the

half-open !indo!, and "ade loud and pier*in' re"ar+s that see"ed to (e dire*ted

at poor &r$ 9oy$

6ont tal+ nonsense, said the parrot, !hen &r$ 9oy !as in the "iddle of e#plainin'

so"e fa*t of history$

&r$ 9oy sni2ed in e#asperation$ .heres your hand+er*hief as+ed 8i+i at on*e$ &r$

9oy !ent to the !indo! and shouted and !aved at 8i+i to fri'hten her a!ay$

Nau'hty (oy, said 8i+i, not (ud'in' an in*h$ Ill send you to (ed$ 7oure a nau'hty

(oy$

7ou *ouldnt do anythin' !ith a (ird li+e that$ o &r$ 9oy 'ave it up and allo!ed the

parrot to sit on ;a*+s shoulder on*e "ore$ ;a*+ !or+ed (etter !ith the (ird near

hi", and 8i+i !as not so distur(in' indoors as out-of-doors$ All the sa"e, &r$ 9oy

felt he !ould (e very 'lad !hen the little holiday s*hool *a"e to an end, and the

four (oys and one 'irl !ent ho"e, to'ether !ith the parrot and the various other

*reatures o!ned (y %hilip$

%hilip, ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann left the (i' slo!-!itted a" and the peevish little Oliver to

(e *o"pany for one another ea*h day after tea, and !ent o2 on their o!n to'ether$

The (oys tal+ed of all the (irds and ani"als they had +no!n, and :u*y-Ann listened,stu"(lin' to +eep up !ith the" as they !al+ed$ No "atter ho! far they !al+ed, or

!hat steep hills they *li"(ed, the little 'irl follo!ed$ he did not "ean to let her

(eloved (rother out of her si'ht$

%hilip felt i"patient !ith :u*y-Ann so"eti"es$ Golly, I" 'lad 6inah doesnt ta'

after "e li+e :u*y-Ann ta's after ;a*+, he thou'ht$ I !onder ;a*+ puts up !ith it$



But ;a*+ did$ Althou'h he often did not appear to noti*e :u*y-Ann and did not even

spea+ to her for so"e ti"e, he !as never i"patient !ith her, never irrita(le or

*ross$ Ne#t to his (irds, he *ared for :u*y-Ann, thou'ht %hilip$ .ell, it !as a 'ood

thin' so"e(ody *ared for her$ he didnt see" to have "u*h of a life$

The three *hildren had e#*han'ed ne!s a(out the"selves$ Our "other and fatherare (oth dead, ;a*+ said$ .e dont re"e"(er the"$ They !ere +illed in an

aeroplane *rash$ .e !ere sent to live !ith our only relation, 4n*le Geo2rey$ Hes old

and *ross, al!ays na''in' at us$ His house+eeper, &rs$ &i''les, hates us to 'o

ho"e for the holidays and you *an tell !hat our life is li+e (y listenin' to old 8i+i$

.ipe your feet 6ont sni2 Chan'e your shoes at on*e .heres your hand+er*hief

Ho! "any ti"es have I told you not to !histle Cant you shut the door, idiot

%hilip lau'hed$ .ell, if 8i+i e*hoes !hat she hears in your ho"e, you "ust have a

pretty "ouldy ti"e, he said$ .e dont have too 'rand a ti"e either (ut its (etter

than you and :u*y-Ann have$

Are your father and "other dead too as+ed :u*y-Ann, her 'reen eyes starin' at

%hilip as un(lin+in'ly as a *ats$

Our fathers dead and he left no "oney, said %hilip$ But !eve 'ot a "other$ he

doesnt live !ith us, thou'h$

.hy not as+ed :u*y-Ann in surprise$

.ell, she has a 0o(, said %hilip$ he "a+es enou'h "oney at her 0o( for our

s*hoolin' and our +eep in the hols$ he runs an art a'en*y you +no!, ta+es orders

for posters and pi*tures and thin's, 'ets artists to do the" for her, and then ta+es a

*o""ission on the sales$ hes a very 'ood (usiness !o"an (ut !e dont see "u*h

of her$

Is she ni*e as+ed ;a*+$ Never havin' had a "other that he *ould re"e"(er, he

!as al!ays interested in other peoples$ %hilip nodded$

hes 5ne, he said, thin+in' of his +een-eyed, pretty "other, feelin' proud of her

*leverness, (ut se*retly sad !hen he re"e"(ered ho! tired she had see"ed

so"eti"es !hen she had paid the" a <yin' visit$ One day, thou'ht %hilip, one day

he !ould (e the *lever one earn the "oney, +eep thin's 'oin', and "a+e thin's

easy for his hard-!or+in' "other$

And you live !ith an un*le, li+e !e do said :u*y-Ann, stro+in' a tiny 'rey s/uirrel

that had suddenly popped its head out of one of %hilips po*+ets$

7es$ 6inah and I spend all our hols !ith 4n*le ;o*elyn and Aunt %olly, said %hilip$

4n*le ;o*elyn is /uite i"possi(le$ Hes al!ays (uyin' old papers and (oo+s and

do*u"ents, studyin' the" and 5lin' the"$ Hes "a+in' it his life-!or+ to !or+ out

the history of the part of the *oast !here !e live there !ere (attles there in the old



days, and (urnin's and +illin's all "ost e#*itin'$ Hes !ritin' a !hole history (ut as

it see"s to ta+e hi" a year to "a+e *ertain of a fa*t or t!o, hell have to live to (e

four or 5ve hundred years old (efore he 'ets a /uarter of the (oo+ done, it see"s to

"e$

The others lau'hed$ They pi*tured a *ross and learned old "an porin' over yello!,"usty papers$ .hat a !aste of ti"e, thou'ht :u*y-Ann$ he !ondered !hat Aunt

%olly !as li+e$

.hats your aunt li+e she as+ed$ %hilip s*re!ed up his nose$

A (it sour, he said$ Not too (ad, really$ Too hard-!or+ed, no "oney, no help in the

old house e#*ept for old ;o-;o, the sort of handy"an servant !eve 'ot$ he "a+es

poor 6inah slave I !ont, so shes 'iven "e up, (ut 6inahs afraid of her and does

!hat she is told "ore than I do$

.hats your ho"e li+e as+ed :u*y-Ann$

A funny old pla*e, hundreds of years old, half in ruins, a!fully (i' and drau'hty, set

half-!ay up a steep *li2, and al"ost dro!ned in spray in a stor", said %hilip$ But I

love it$ Its !ild and lonely and /ueer, and theres the *ry of the sea-(irds al!ays

round it$ 7oud love it, Fre*+les$

;a*+ thou'ht he !ould$ It sounded e#*itin' to hi"$ His ho"e !as ordinary, a house

in a ro! in a s"all-si)ed to!n$ But %hilips house sounded really e#*itin'$ The !ind

and the !aves and the sea-(irds he felt as if he *ould al"ost hear the" *la"ourin'

to'ether, !hen he shut his eyes$

.a+e up, !a+e up, sleepy-head, said 8i+i, pe*+in' 'ently at ;a*+s ear$ He openedhis eyes and lau'hed$ The parrot had an e#traordinary !ay of sayin' the ri'ht thin'

so"eti"es$

I !ish I *ould see that ho"e of yours Cra''y-Tops, he said to %hilip$ It sounds as if

thin's *ould happen there real, live, e#*itin' thin's, thrillin' adventures$ Nothin'

ever happens in :ippinton, !here !e live$

.ell, nothin' "u*h happens at Cra''y-Tops either, said %hilip, puttin' the little

s/uirrel (a*+ into his po*+et, and ta+in' a hed'eho' out of another po*+et$ It !as a

(a(y one, !hose pri*+les !ere not yet hardened and set$ It see"ed /uite happy to

live in %hilips po*+et, alon' !ith a very lar'e snail, !ho !as *areful to +eep insidehis shell$

I !ish !e !ere all 'oin' ho"e to'ether, said ;a*+$ Id li+e to see your sister 6inah,

thou'h she does sound a (it of a !ild-*at to "e$ And Id love to see all those rare

(irds on the *oast$ Id li+e to see your old half-ruined house too$ Fan*y livin' in a

house so old that its al"ost a ruin$ 7ou dont +no! ho! lu*+y you are$



Not so lu*+y !hen you have to *arry hot !ater for "iles to the only (ath in the

house, said %hilip, 'ettin' up fro" the 'rass !here he had (een sittin' !ith the

others$ Co"e on its ti"e to 'et (a*+$ 7oure never li+ely to see Cra''y-Tops, and

you !ouldnt li+e it if you did so !hats the 'ood of tal+in' a(out it

Chapter >

T.O :ETTE9 AN6 A %:AN

The ne#t day %hilip had a letter fro" 6inah$ He sho!ed it to the others$

Old 6inahs havin' a rou'h ti"e, he said$ Its a 'ood thin' I leave here soon$ Its

(etter for her !hen I" there$

6ear %hil ?said 6inah in her letter@,

Arent you ever *o"in' (a*+ Not that youre "u*h 'ood for anythin' e#*ept

/uarrellin' !ith, (ut still its pretty lonely here !ith no(ody (ut 4n*le and Aunt and

;o-;o, !hos even "ore stupid than (efore$ He told "e yesterday not to 'o out at

ni'ht do!n the *li2, (e*ause there are thin's !anderin' a(out$ Hes /uite "ad$ The

only thin's !anderin' a(out (esides "e are the sea-(irds$ There are thousands of

the" here this year$

6ont, for 'oodness sa+e, (rin' any *reatures ho"e these holidays$ 7ou +no! ho! I

hate the"$ I shall die if you (rin' a (at a'ain, and if you dare to try and train

ear!i's li+e you did last year, Ill thro! a *hair at your head

Aunt %olly is "a+in' "e !or+ a!fully hard$ .e !ash and s*ru( and *lean all day,

'oodness +no!s, !hat for, (e*ause no(ody ever *o"es$ I shall (e 'lad !hen its

ti"e to 'o o2 to s*hool a'ain$ .hen do you *o"e (a*+ I !ish !e *ould earn so"e

"oney so"eho!$ Aunt %olly is !orryin' herself to death (e*ause she *ant pay

so"e (ill or other, and 4n*le s!ears he hasnt 'ot the "oney, and !ouldnt 'ive it

to her if he had$ I suppose &other !ould send "ore "oney if !e as+ed her, (ut itspretty a!ful to have her slavin' a!ay as she does, anyho!$ Tell "e "ore a(out

Fre*+les and :u*y-Ann$ I li+e the sound of the"$

7our lovin' sister,

6inah$



6inah sounded rather 5ne, ;a*+ thou'ht, as he read the letter and 'ave it (a*+ to

%hilip$ Here you are, Tufty, he said$ 6inah sounds lonely$ Hallo theres &r$ 9oy

(e*+onin' "e$ Ill see !hat he !ants$ &ore !or+, I suppose$

By the sa"e post had *o"e a letter for &r$ 9oy, fro" the house+eeper !ho loo+ed

after ;a*+s 4n*le Geo2rey$ It !as short and to the point$

&r$ 9oy had read it !ith dis"ay, and then *alled ;a*+ in to sho! hi" the letter$ ;a*+

read it, also 5lled !ith dis"ay$

6ear &r$ 9oy ?said the letter@,

&r$ Trent has (ro+en his le', and he doesnt !ant the *hildren (a*+ these holidays$

He !ants to +no! if you !ill +eep the" !ith you, and he sends a *he/ue to *over

the rest of the ti"e$ They *an *o"e (a*+ t!o days (efore s*hool (e'ins, to help "e

to sort out their *lothes$

7ours faithfully,

Elspeth &i''les$

Oh, &r$ 9oy 'roaned ;a*+, !ho, "u*h as he disli+ed his ho"e, disli+ed the thou'ht

of stayin' on !ith &r$ 9oy, and !ith the peevish Oliver, !ho !as also stayin' on,

even "ore than the thou'ht of returnin' to his irrita(le un*le$ I dont see !hy :u*y-

Ann and I *ant 'o (a*+ !e shant 'o near 4n*le$

&r$ 9oy did not !ant ;a*+ to stay on any "ore than the (oy hi"self did$ The thou'ht

of havin' that parrot for one day lon'er than he needed to 5lled hi" !ith horror$ He

had never in his life disli+ed anythin' so "u*h as he disli+ed 8i+i$ 9ude (oys he

*ould deal !ith, and did (ut rude parrots !ere (eyond hi"$

.ell, said &r$ 9oy, pursin' up his lips and loo+in' at 8i+i !ith disli+e, !ell I" sure I

dont !ant to +eep you any lon'er, (e*ause its pure !aste of your ti"e to (e here

you havent learnt a thin' (ut I dont see !hat else to do$ Its /uite plain that your

un*le doesnt !ant you (a*+ you *an see he has sent /uite a 'enerous *he/ue to

*over the rest of your stay here (ut I had other plans$ .ith Oliver here, I intended to

do a little visitin'$ 9eally, I !ish !e *ould 5nd so"e pla*e for you to 'o to, you and

:u*y-Ann$

;a*+ !ent (a*+ to his sister and to %hilip, loo+in' so dis"ayed that :u*y-Ann slipped

her ar" into his at on*e$

.hat is it .hats the "atter



4n*le doesnt !ant us (a*+, said ;a*+, and e#plained a(out the letter$ And &r$ 9oy

doesnt !ant us here so it loo+s as if no(ody loves us at the "o"ent, :u*y-Ann$

The three *hildren loo+ed at one another$ And then %hilip had his (rain-!ave$ He

*lut*hed at ;a*+, al"ost +no*+in' 8i+i o2 her (alan*e$

;a*+ Co"e (a*+ ho"e !ith "e 7ou and :u*y-Ann *an *o"e to Cra''y-Tops 6inah

!ould (e thrilled$ 7ou *ould have a 5ne ti"e !ith the sea-(irds$ .hat a(out it

;a*+ and :u*y-Ann stared in e#*ite"ent and deli'ht$ Go to Cra''y-Tops :ive in an

old half-ruined house, !ith a learned un*le, an i"patient aunt, a half-"ad servant

and the sound of the sea all the ti"e No! that really !ould (e thrillin'

;a*+ si'hed and shoo+ his head$ He +ne! that the plans of *hildren seldo" *a"e to

anythin' !hen 'ro!n-ups had to (e *onsulted a(out the"$

Its no 'ood, he said$ 4n*le Geo2rey !ould pro(a(ly say no and &r$ 9oy !ould

any!ay and your un*le and aunt !ould 0ust hate to have e#tra *hildren on theirhands$

They !ouldnt, said %hilip$ 7ou *ould 'ive the" the *he/ue that your 4n*le Geo2rey

sent to &r$ 9oy, and I (et "y aunt !ould (e thrilled$ It !ould pay that (ill 6inah

tal+ed a(out in her letter$

Oh, %hilip oh, ;a*+ do lets 'o to Cra''y-Tops (e''ed :u*y-Ann, her 'reen eyes

shinin'$ Id li+e it "ore than anythin' in the !orld$ .ell (e in the !ay here, ;a*+, if

!e stay on, you +no! !e !ill and I" sure &r$ 9oy !ill +ill 8i+i one day if she says

any "ore rude thin's to hi"$

8i+i 'ave a hideous s*ree*h and stu*+ her head hard into ;a*+s ne*+$ Its all ri'ht,

8i+i, said ;a*+$ I !ont let anyone hurt you$ :u*y-Ann, honestly its no 'ood as+in'

&r$ 9oy to see if !e *an 'o to Cra''y-Tops$ He thin+s its his duty to have us here,

and !ell have to stay$

.ell, lets 'o !ithout as+in' hi", then, said :u*y-Ann re*+lessly$

The (oys stared at her !ithout spea+in'$ That !as an idea$ Go !ithout as+in' .ell

!hy not

It !ould (e all ri'ht if !e all turned up at Cra''y-Tops to'ether, really it !ould, said

%hilip, thou'h he !as (y no "eans *ertain that it !ould (e all ri'ht at all$ 7ou see,

on*e you !ere there, "y un*le and aunt *ouldnt very !ell turn you out, and I *ould

'et Aunt %olly to telephone to &r$ 9oy and e#plain thin's to hi", and 'et hi" to

send her the *he/ue your 4n*le Geo2rey sent for you$

&r$ 9oy !ould (e 'lad to thin+ !e had 'one, said :u*y-Ann, thin+in' !hat fun it

!ould (e to +no! 6inah$ 4n*le Geo2 !ouldnt *are anyho!$ o lets, ;a*+, do lets$



All ri'ht, said ;a*+, 'ivin' !ay suddenly$ .ell all 'o o2 to'ether$ .hen is your train,

Tufty .ell 'o do!n to the station sayin' that !ell see you o2 and !ell hop into

the *arria'e at the last "inute and 'o !ith you$

Oooh said :u*y-Ann, thrilled$

.heres your hand+er*hief aid 8i+i, sensin' the e#*ite"ent and ro*+in' herself to

and fro on ;a*+s shoulder$ No(ody too+ any noti*e of her$ %oor old 8i+i, said the

parrot sorro!fully$ %oor old 8i+i$

;a*+ put up a hand and fondled the parrot, thin+in' out !ays and "eans of es*ape$

.e *ould !heel "y trun+ and :u*y-Anns do!n to the station the ni'ht (efore, !hen

!e ta+e yours, he said$ No(ody !ould noti*e ours !as 'one out of the loft$ .e

*ould (uy our ti*+ets then, too$ Has anyone any "oney

The three of the" put their "oney to'ether$ It !ould pro(a(ly 0ust (uy the ti*+ets$

They si"ply "ust 'o o2 to'ether No! that they had "ade up their "inds, it !as

/uite unthin+a(le that anythin' should (e allo!ed to prevent it$

o they "ade their plans$ The day (efore %hilip !as due to leave, his trun+ !as

ta+en fro" the loft, and ;a*+ "ana'ed to 'et his do!n uno(served too$ He pushed it

into a (i' *up(oard in his roo", and :u*y-Ann pa*+ed it !hen no-one !as a(out$

Ill !heel "y trun+ do!n to the station on the (arro!, sir, said %hilip to &r$ 9oy$ It

!as the *usto" to do this, and the "aster nodded, not ta+in' "u*h noti*e$ He

!ished ;a*+ and that parrot !ere 'oin' too$

The (oys "ana'ed to 'et (oth trun+s on to the (arro! !ithout (ein' seen, and set

o2 to the station in 'reat spirits$ Es*ape see"ed /uite easy, after all$ a" andOliver did not see" to noti*e anythin'$ a" !as too e#*ited at leavin' for ho"e

hi"self, and Oliver too "isera(le at the idea of (ein' left (ehind to (other a(out

anyone else$

The ne#t "ornin' %hilip said a polite 'ood-(ye to &r$ 9oy$ Than+ you for all your

help and *oa*hin', sir, he said$ I thin+ I shall 'et on !ell ne#t ter" no!$ Good-(ye,

sir$

Good-(ye, %hilip$ 7ouve not done (adly, said &r$ 9oy$

%hilip shoo+ hands !ith &r$ 9oy, !ho dre! (a*+ a little as a "ouse ran out of the

(oys sleeve$ %hilip tu*+ed it (a*+ a'ain$

Ho! *an you have those *reatures runnin' a(out you li+e that said &r$ 9oy, and

sni2ed loudly$

.heres your hand+er*hief said the parrot at on*e, and &r$ 9oy 'lared at it$ As

usual it !as on ;a*+s shoulder$



Could I 'o do!n to the station !ith :u*y-Ann and see %hilip o2 as+ed ;a*+$ 8i+i

'ave a s/ua!+ of lau'hter, and ;a*+ 'ave her a little slap$ Be /uiet Theres nothin'

to lau'h at$

Nau'hty (oy said 8i+i, 0ust as if she +ne! !hat "is*hief !as in ;a*+s "ind$

7es, you *an 'o do!n and see %hilip o2, said &r$ 9oy, thin+in' that it !ould (e ni*e

to 'et rid of the parrot for a little !hile$ o the three *hildren !ent o2 to'ether,

'rinnin' se*retly at ea*h other$ 8i+i had the last !ord !ith &r$ 9oy$

Cant you shut the door she (a!led$ &r$ 9oy 'ave an e#asperated *li*+, and

(an'ed the door$ He heard the parrots *a*+le of lau'hter as the *hildren !ent do!n

the road$

If only I need never see that (ird a'ain, he thou'ht to hi"self, little +no!in' that

his !ish !as a(out to *o"e true$

;a*+, :u*y-Ann and %hilip arrived at the station in plenty of ti"e$ They found theirlu''a'e and 'ave it to the porter to put on the train$ .hen the en'ine stea"ed in

they found an e"pty *arria'e and 'ot in$ No-one stopped the"$ No-one 'uessed

that t!o of the *hildren !ere runnin' a!ay$ They all felt thrilled and rather nervous$

I do hope your un*le and aunt !ont send us (a*+, said ;a*+, stro+in' 8i+i to /uite

her$ he did not li+e the noise of the trains, and had already told one to stop

!histlin'$ An old lady loo+ed as if she !ere a(out to 'et into their *arria'e, (ut

!hen 8i+i 'ave one of her appallin' s*ree*hes she thou'ht a'ain and hurried a

'ood !ay up the train$

At last the train "oved o2, !ith "any snorts that *aused the e#*ited parrot to tell itto use its hand+er*hief, "u*h to the *hildrens a"use"ent$ It stea"ed out of the

station, and, in the distan*e, the *hildren sa! the house !here they had lived for

the past fe! !ee+s, sittin' at the (otto" of the hill$

.ell !ere o2, said %hilip, pleased$ And it !as perfe*tly easy for you to es*ape,

!asnt it Golly, !hat fun it !ill (e to have you and :u*y-Ann at Cra''y-Tops 6inah

!ill (e thrilled to (its !hen !e arrive$

O2 to Cra''y-Tops san' :u*y-Ann$ O2 to the sea and the !ind and the !aves O2

to Cra''y-Tops

7es o2 to Cra''y-Tops and to a !ild and astonishin' ti"e that not one of the

*hildren *ould possi(ly have i"a'ined$ O2 to Cra''y-Tops and o2 to Adventure$

Chapter



C9AGG7-TO%

The train sped on throu'h the *ountryside, passin' "any stations, and stoppin' at

very fe!$ On to!ards the *oast it !ent, throu'h hi'h "ountains that to!ered up,

over silver rivers, throu'h (i', stra''lin' to!ns$

And then it *a"e to !ilder *ountry$ The sea-!ind *a"e in at the !indo!$ I *an s"ell

the sea already, said ;a*+, !ho had only on*e (efore (een to the sea, and s*ar*ely

re"e"(ered it$

The train stopped at last at a lonely little station$ Here !e are, said %hilip$ Tu"(le

out$ Hi, ;o-;o Here I a"$ Have you 'ot the old *ar handy

;a*+ and :u*y-Ann sa! a *oloured "an *o"in' to!ards the"$ His s+in !as (la*+,

his teeth !ere very !hite, and he rolled his eyes in a pe*uliar !ay$ 9unnin' (ehind

hi" !as a 'irl a little older than :u*y-Ann, (ut tall for her a'e$ he had the sa"e(ro!n, !avy hair that %hilip had, and the sa"e tuft in front$

Another Tufty, thou'ht ;a*+, (ut a 5er*er one$ It "ust (e 6inah$

It !as 6inah$ he had *o"e !ith ;o-;o to "eet %hilip, in the ra"sha*+le old *ar$ he

stopped short in the 'reatest surprise !hen she sa! :u*y-Ann and ;a*+$ ;a*+

'rinned, (ut :u*y-Ann, suddenly feelin' shy of this strappin', *on5dent-loo+in' 'irl,

hid (ehind her (rother$ 6inah stared in even 'reater a"a)e"ent at 8i+i, !ho !as

tellin' ;o-;o to !ipe his feet at on*e$

7ou "ind your "anners, said ;o-;o rou'hly, tal+in' to the (ird as if it !as a hu"an(ein'$ 8i+i put up her *rest and 'ro!led an'rily, li+e a do'$ ;o-;o loo+ed startled$

That a (ird he en/uired of %hilip$

7es, said %hilip$ ;o-;o, put that trun+ in the *ar too$ It (elon's to "y t!o friends$

They *o"in' to Cra''y-Tops said ;o-;o in the 'reatest surprise$ &iss %olly, she

didnt say nothin' a(out any friends, no, she didnt$

%hilip, !ho are they as+ed 6inah, *o"in' up and 0oinin' the little 'roup$

T!o friends fro" &r$ 9oys, said %hilip$ Ill tell you all a(out it after!ards$ He !in+edat 6inah to "a+e her understand that he !ould e#plain !hen ;o-;o !as not there$

This is Fre*+les I told you a(out hi", you +no! and :u*y-Ann too$

The three *hildren sole"nly shoo+ hands$ Then they all 'ot into the 0er+y, 0u"py old

*ar, !ith the t!o trun+s at the (a*+, and ;o-;o drove o2 in a "anner that see"ed

"ost dan'erous to :u*y-Ann$ he *lut*hed the side of the *ar, half fri'htened$



They drove throu'h !ild hills, ro*+y and (are$ oon they sa! the sea in the

distan*e$ Hi'h *li2s (ounded it e#*ept for (rea+s here and there$ It *ertainly !as a

!ild and desolate *oast$ They passed ruined "ansions and *otta'es on their !ay$

They !ere (urnt in the (attles I told you a(out, said %hilip$ And no-one has re(uilt

the"$ Cra''y-Tops "ore or less es*aped$

Thats the *li2 (ehind !hi*h Cra''y-Tops is (uilt, said 6inah, pointin'$ The others

sa! a hi'h, ro*+y *li2, and 0ust 0uttin' up they *ould see a s"all round to!er, !hi*h

they i"a'ined !as part of Cra''y-Tops$

Cra''y-Tops is (uilt out of rea*h of the !aves, said %hilip, (ut on stor"y ni'hts the

spray dashes a'ainst the !indo! al"ost as stron'ly as the !aves pound the shore$

:u*y-Ann and ;a*+ thou'ht it all sounded very thrillin'$ It !ould (e fun to stay in a

house that had spray dashed a'ainst its !indo!s$ They did hope there !ould (e a

terri5* stor" !hilst they !ere there$

Is &iss %olly e#pe*tin' you all as+ed ;o-;o suddenly$ He !as plainly pu))led (y the

t!o e#tra *hildren$ he didnt say nothin' to "e a(out the"$

6idnt she Ho! stran'e said %hilip$ 8i+i s*ree*hed !ith lau'hter, and ;o-;o

!rin+led up his (la*+ nose in disli+e of the noise$ He !as not 'oin' to fall in love

!ith 8i+i, that !as *ertain$ ;a*+ didnt li+e the !ay the (la*+ fello! loo+ed at his pet

(ird$

6inah suddenly 'ave a shrie+ and pushed %hilip a!ay fro" her$ Oh 7ouve 'ot a

"ouse do!n your ne*+ I sa! its nose peepin' out$ Ta+e it a!ay, %hilip you +no! I

*ant (ear "i*e$

Oh, shut up and dont (e an idiot, said %hilip *rossly$ 6inah at on*e <e! into one of

her te"pers$ he *lut*hed %hilips *ollar and shoo+ hi", tryin' to dislod'e the

"ouse and fri'hten it a!ay$ %hilip 'ave 6inah a push, and she (an'ed her head

a'ainst the side of the *ar$ he at on*e slapped hi" hard$ ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann stared

in surprise$

Beast said 6inah$ I !ish you hadnt *o"e (a*+$ Ta+e your t!o horrid friends and 'o

o2 a'ain to &r$ 9oy$

Theyre not horrid, said %hilip, in a "ild tone$ Theyre fun$ He put his "outh to

6inahs ear, after seein' that ;o-;o !as payin' no attention, and !hispered Theyve

es*aped fro" &r$ 9oy$ I as+ed the" to$ Their un*le !ill pay Aunt %olly for the" to

stay !ith us, and she *an pay that (ill you told "e a(out$ ee

6inah for'ot her te"per as /ui*+ly as it had *o"e$ he stared !ith interest at the

(rother and sister, ru((in' her (ruised head as she did so$ .hat !ould Aunt %olly

say .here !ould they sleep This !as 'oin' to (e e#*itin'$



;o-;o drove headlon' over the (u"py, stony road$ ;a*+ !ondered that any *ar *ould

stand su*h drivin'$ They drove up the *li2, then do!n a hidden !ay that sloped

round to Cra''y-Tops$

And there, suddenly, !as the roarin' sea and Cra''y-Tops standin' sullenly a(ove

it, (uilt half-!ay do!n the *li2$ The *ar stopped, and the *hildren 'ot out$ ;a*+'a)ed at the stran'e house$ It !as a /ueer pla*e$ On*e it had t!o to!ers, (ut one

had fallen in$ The other still stood$ The house !as (uilt of 'reat 'rey stones, and

!as "assive and u'ly, (ut so"eho! rather 'rand$ It fa*ed the sea !ith a proud and

an'ry loo+, as if defyin' the stron' 'ale and the restless o*ean$ ;a*+ loo+ed do!n at

the !ater$ On it, and *ir*lin' a(ove it, !ere hundreds of !ild sea-(irds of all +inds$ It

!as a perfe*t paradise of (irds$ The (oys heart san' for 0oy$ Birds (y the hundred,

(irds (y the thousand$ He !ould (e a(le to study the" to his hearts *ontent, 5nd

their nests, and photo'raph the" at his leisure$ .hat a ti"e he !ould have

A !o"an *a"e to the door, and loo+ed do!n at the four *hildren in surprise$ he

!as thin, and her hair !as sandy-*olored and !ispy$ he loo+ed tired and faded$

Hallo, Aunt %olly Cried %hilip, runnin' up the stone steps$ I" (a*+

o I see, said his aunt, 'ivin' hi" a pe*+ of a +iss on his *hee+$ But !ho are these

Aunt %olly, theyre friends of "ine, said %hilip earnestly$ They *ouldnt 'o ho"e

(e*ause their un*le (ro+e his le'$ o I (rou'ht the" here$ Their un*le !ill pay you

for havin' the"$

%hilip Ho! *an you do a thin' li+e this prin'in' people on "e !ithout tellin' "e

aid Aunt %olly sharply$ .here !ill they sleep 7ou +no! !eve no roo"$

They *an sleep in the to!er-roo", said %hilip$ The to!er-roo" Ho! lovely ;a*+ and

:u*y-Ann !ere thrilled$

There are no (eds there, said Aunt %olly, in a disa'reea(le tone$ Theyll have to 'o

(a*+$ They *an stay the ni'ht and then 'o (a*+$

:u*y-Ann loo+ed ready to *ry$ There !as harshness in Aunt %ollys tone that she

*ould not (ear$ he felt un!el*o"e and "isera(le$ ;a*+ put his ar" round her and

'ave her a s/uee)e$

He !as deter"ined that he !ould not 'o (a*+$ The si'ht of those 'lidin', *ir*lin',

soarin' (irds had 5lled his heart !ith 0oy$ Oh, to lie on the *li2 and !at*h the" He

!ould not 'o (a*+

They all !ent in, ;o-;o *arryin' the trun+s$ Aunt %olly loo+ed !ith "u*h disfavor on

8i+i$



A parrot too she said$ Nasty, s/ua!+in', s*ree*hin' (ird I never li+ed parrots$ Its

(ad enou'h to have all the *reatures you *olle*t, %hilip, !ithout a parrot *o"in'

too$

%oor %olly, poor old %olly, said 8i+i une#pe*tedly$ Aunt %olly loo+ed at the (ird,

startled$

Ho! does it +no! "y na"e he as+ed in astonish"ent$

8i+i didnt$ It !as a na"e she herself !as often *alled, and she often said %oor old

%olly or %oor old 8i+i he sa! that she had "ade an i"pression on this sharp-

voi*ed !o"an, and she repeated the !ords softly, as if she !as a(out to (urst into

tears$

%oor %olly 6ear %olly %oor, dear old %olly

.ell I never aid Aunt %olly, and loo+ed at the parrot "ore +indly$ Aunt %olly felt ill,

tired and harassed, (ut no-one ever said they !ere sorry, or see"ed to noti*e it$

No! here !as a (ird pityin' her and spea+in' to her "ore +indly than anyone had

for years Aunt %olly felt stran'e a(out it, (ut /uite pleased$

7ou *an ta+e a "attress up to the to!er-roo", and sleep there toni'ht !ith the (oy

!hats his na"e said Aunt %olly to %hilip$ The 'irl *an sleep toni'ht !ith 6inah$ Its

a s"all (ed, (ut I *ant help that$ If you (rin' people here !ithout tellin' "e, I *ant

prepare for the"$

The *hildren sat do!n to a 'ood "eal$ Aunt %olly !as a 'ood *oo+$ It !as a "i#tureof tea and supper, and the *hildren tu*+ed into it !ell$ All they had had that day,

sin*e their (rea+fast, !ere the sand!i*hes that &r$ 9oy had pa*+ed for %hilip and

one pa*+et of sand!i*hes did not 'o far (et!een three hun'ry *hildren$

6inah 'ave a snee)e, and the parrot spo+e to her sternly$ .heres your

hand+er*hief

Aunt %olly loo+ed at the (ird in surprised ad"iration$ .ell, I" al!ays sayin' that to

6inah, she said$ That (ird see"s to (e a "ost sensi(le *reature$

8i+i !as pleased at Aunt %ollys ad"iration$ %oor %olly, poor dear %olly, she said, her

head *oyly on one side, her (ri'ht eye 'lintin' at Aunt %olly$

Aunt %olly li+es your parrot (etter than she li+es you, !hispered %hilip to ;a*+, !ith

a 'rin$

After the "eal, Aunt %olly too+ %hilip to his un*les study$ He +no*+ed and !ent in$

His 4n*le ;o*elyn !as (ent over a sheaf of yello! papers, e#a"inin' the" !ith a

"a'nifyin'-'lass$ He 'runted at %hilip$



o youre (a*+ a'ain$ Behave yourself and +eep out of "y !ay$ I shall (e very (usy

these holidays$

;o*elyn, %hilip has (rou'ht t!o *hildren (a*+ !ith hi" and a parrot, said Aunt %olly$

A parrot said 4n*le ;o*elyn$ .hy a parrot

;o*elyn, that parrot (elon's to one of the *hildren that %hilip (rou'ht ho"e, said

Aunt %olly$ %hilip !ants these *hildren to stay here$

Cant have the"$ 6ont "ind the parrot, said 4n*le ;o*elyn$ 8eep the parrot if you

!ant it$ end it a!ay if you dont$ I" (usy$

He (ent over his papers a'ain$ Aunt %olly 'ave a si'h and shut the door$ Hes so

interested in the past that he for'ets all a(out the present, she said, half to herself$

.ell I suppose I "ust rin' up &r$ 9oy "yself$ Hell (e !onderin' a(out those

*hildren$

he !ent to the telephone$ %hilip follo!ed *lose (ehind her, lon'in' to +no! !hat

&r$ 9oy !ould say$ 6inah peeped out fro" the sittin'-roo" and %hilip nodded

to!ards the telephone$ If only &r$ 9oy !as *ross and said he !ould not have ;a*+

and :u*y-Ann (a*+ If only Aunt %olly !ould thin+ the *he/ue !as (i' enou'h to

"a+e it !orth!hile lettin' the" stay

Chapter D

ETT:ING IN AT C9AGG7-TO%

It see"ed a'es (efore Aunt %olly 'ot throu'h to &r$ 9oy$ The "aster !as !orried

and pu))led$ ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann had not returned, of *ourse, and at 5rst he had

thou'ht they had 'one o2 for one of their !al+s, and that ;a*+ had found so"e

unusual (ird and had for'otten all a(out ti"e$

But as the hours !ent (y and still the *hildren had not *o"e (a*+, he (e*a"e

seriously !orried$ It did not o**ur to hi" that they "i'ht have 'one !ith %hilip, or

he !ould have telephoned to the (oys aunt at on*e$

He !as "ost relieved to hear &rs$ ullivan, %hilips aunt, spea+in', 'ivin' hi" the

ne!s that the *hildren !ere safe$

They arrived here !ith %hilip, she said, !ith so"e sharpness$ I *annot thin+ ho! it

!as that they !ere allo!ed to do this$ I *annot possi(ly +eep the"$



&r$ 9oys heart san+$ He had hoped for one !ild "o"ent that his pro(le"

*on*ernin' ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann, and that tireso"e parrot, !as solved$ No! it see"ed

as if it !asnt$

.ell, &rs$ ullivan, said &r$ 9oy politely, thou'h he did not feel at all *ivil, I" sorry

a(out it$ The *hildren !ent do!n to see %hilip o2, and I suppose the (oy persuadedthe" to 'o !ith hi"$ Its a pity you *ould not +eep the" for the rest of the holidays,

as they !ould pro(a(ly (e happier !ith you and %hilip$ No dou(t they have told you

that their un*le *annot have the" (a*+ these holidays$ He sent "e a *he/ue for a

lar'e su" of "oney, hopin' I *ould have the"$ But I should (e pleased to hand this

over to you if you felt that you *ould ta+e *har'e of the", and !e *ould 'et &r$

Trents *onsent to it$

There !as a pause$ Ho! "u*h !as the *he/ue as+ed &rs$ ullivan$

There !as another pause after &r$ 9oy told her the su" of "oney that had (een

sent$ It *ertainly !as a very 'enerous a"ount$ &rs$ ullivan thou'ht /ui*+ly$ The

*hildren !ould not *ost "u*h to +eep$ he !ould see that they +ept out of ;o*elyns

!ay$ That 'irl :u*y-Ann *ould help 6inah !ith the house-!or+$ And she !ould (e

a(le to pay o2 a fe! (ills, !hi*h !ould (e a 'reat relief to her$

&r$ 9oy !aited hopefully at the other end of the !ire$ He *ould not (ear the thou'ht

of havin' the parrot (a*+ a'ain$ ;a*+ !as (eara(le, :u*y-Ann !as ni*e (ut 8i+i !as

i"possi(le$

.ell, said &rs$ ullivan, in the sort of voi*e that "eant she !as prepared to 'ive in,

!ell let "e thin+ no!$ Its 'oin' to (e di3*ult (e*ause !eve so little roo" here$ I

"ean, thou'h the house is enor"ous, half of it is in ruins and "ost of it too

drau'hty to live in$ But perhaps !e *ould "ana'e$ If I use the to!er-roo"

a'ain$n(sp$n(sp$n(sp$

%hilip and the others, !ho *ould hear everythin' that !as (ein' said (y &rs$

ullivan, loo+ed at one another in deli'ht$ Aunt %ollys 'ivin' in !hispered %hilip$

And oh, ;a*+ I (et !ell have the old to!er-roo" for our o!n$ Ive al!ays !anted to

sleep there and have it for "y roo", (ut Aunt %olly !ould never let "e$

&rs$ ullivan, you !ould (e doin' "e a 'reat +indness if you *ould "ana'e to ta+e

the *hildren o2 "y hands, said &r$ 9oy earnestly$ I !ill telephone at on*e to &r$

Trent$ :eave it all to "e$ I !ill send you the *he/ue at on*e$ And if you should need

any "ore "oney, let "e +no!$ I really *annot tell you ho! o(li'ed I should (e to

you if you *ould "ana'e this for "e$ The *hildren are /uite easy to "ana'e$ :u*y-

Ann is s!eet$ Its only that a!ful parrot so rude (ut you *ould 'et a *a'e for it,

perhaps$



Oh, I dont "ind the parrot, said &rs$ ullivan, !hi*h surprised &r$ 9oy very "u*h$

8i+i 'ave a loud s/ua!+, !hi*h &r$ 9oy heard do!n the telephone$ .ell &rs$

ullivan "ust (e a re"ar+a(le !o"an if she li+ed 8i+i

Not "u*h "ore !as said$ &rs$ ullivan said she !ould !rite to &r$ Trent, after she

had heard a'ain fro" &r$ 9oy$ In the "eanti"e she undertoo+ to loo+ after the*hildren for the rest of the holidays$

The re*eiver *li*+ed as she put it do!n$ The *hildren heaved a si'h of relief$ %hilip

!ent up to his aunt$

Oh, than+s, Aunt %olly, he said$ It !ill (e 5ne for "e and 6inah to have friends !ith

us$ .ell try and +eep out of 4n*les !ay, and help you all !e *an$

6ear %olly, said 8i+i a2e*tionately, and a*tually left ;a*+s shoulder to hop on to

Aunt %ollys The *hildren stared in astonish"ent$ Good old 8i+i he !as playin' up

to Aunt %olly properly$

illy (ird said Aunt %olly, hardly li+in' to sho! ho! pleased she !as$

God save the 8in', said 8i+i une#pe*tedly, and everyone lau'hed$

%hilip, you and ;a*+ "ust have the to!er-roo" for your o!n, said Aunt %olly$ Co"e

!ith "e, and Ill see !hat *an he arran'ed$ 6inah, 'o to your roo" and see if you

!ould rather share it !ith :u*y-Ann, or !hether she !ould rather have %hilips old

roo"$ They open out of one another, so perhaps you !ould li+e to have the t!o

roo"s$

6inah !ent o2 happily !ith :u*y-Ann to loo+ at the roo"$ :u*y-Ann !ished she !assleepin' nearer to ;a*+$ The to!er-roo" !as a 'ood !ay fro" !here she herself

!ould sleep$ ;a*+ too+ 8i+i and !ent to a hi'h !indo!, settlin' on the !indo!-seat

to !at*h the sea-(irds in their restless soarin' and 'lidin' outside$

%hilip !ent to the to!er-roo" !ith his aunt$ He felt very happy$ He had (e*o"e very

fond of ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann, and it !as al"ost too 'ood to (e true to thin+ they had

*o"e to stay !ith hi" for so"e !ee+s$

The t!o of the" !ent do!n a *old stone passa'e$ They *a"e to a narro!, !indin'

stone stair!ay, and *li"(ed up the steep steps$ The stair!ay !ound round and

round, and at last *a"e out into the to!er-roo"$ This !as a perfe*tly round roo"

!hose !alls !ere very thi*+$ It had three narro! !indo!s, one fa*in' the sea$ There

!as no 'lass in at all, and the roo" !as drau'hty, and full of the sound of the

*ryin' of (irds, and the roarin' of the !aves (elo!$

I" afraid this roo" !ill (e too *old for you t!o (oys, said Aunt %olly, (ut %hilip

shoo+ his head at on*e$



.e shant "ind that$ .e should have the !indo!s !ide open if there !as any 'lass,

Aunt %olly$ .ell (e all ri'ht$ .e shall love it up here$ :oo+ theres an old oa+ *hest

to put our thin's in and a !ooden stool and !e *an (rin' a ru' up fro" do!nstairs$

.e only need a "attress$

.ell !e *ant possi(ly 'et a (ed up those narro! stairs, said Aunt %olly$ o you !illhave to have a "attress to sleep on$ Ive 'ot an old dou(le one that "ust do for

you$ I !ill send 6inah up !ith a (roo" and a *loth to *lean the roo" a (it$

Aunt %olly, than+s a!fully a'ain for arran'in' all this, said %hilip, half shyly, for he

!as afraid of his hard-!or+in' aunt, and althou'h he spent all his holidays !ith her,

he felt that he did not really +no! her very !ell$ I hope &r$ Trents *he/ue !ill *over

all your e#penses (ut I" sure ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann !ont *ost "u*h$

.ell, %hilip, said Aunt %olly, shuttin' the lid of the old *hest and turnin' to the (oy

!ith a trou(led fa*e, !ell, "y (oy, you "ustnt thin+ I a" "a+in' too "u*h fuss (ut

the fa*t is, your "other hasnt (een at all !ell, and hasnt (een a(le to send nearly

as "u*h "oney for you as usual and, you see, your s*hool fees are rather hi'h and

Ive (een a (it !orried to +no! !hat to do$ 7ou are old enou'h no! to realise that

dear old 4n*le ;o*elyn is not "u*h use in (earin' responsi(ility for a household and

the (it of "oney I have soon 'oes$

%hilip listened in alar"$ His "other !as ill Aunt %olly hadnt (een 'ettin' the

"oney as usual it all sounded very !orryin' to hi"$

.hats the "atter !ith &other he as+ed$

.ell shes very thin and run-do!n, and shes 'ot a dreadful *ou'h, she says,

ans!ered Aunt %olly$ The do*tors say she "ust have a lon' rest (y the sea if

possi(le (ut ho! *an she 'ive up her 0o(

I shant 'o (a*+ to s*hool, said %hilip at on*e$ I shall 5nd a 0o( "yself so"eho!$ I

*ant have &other !or+in' herself to death for us$

7ou *ant do that, said Aunt %olly$ .hy, you ar* not even fourteen yet$ No no! that I

have a little "oney *o"in' in fro" &r$ Trent for these t!o *hildren, it !ill ease

thin's a 'ood deal$

This house is too (i' for you, said %hilip, suddenly noti*in' ho! tired his aunt

loo+ed$ Aunt %olly, !hy do !e have to live here .hy *ant !e leave and ta+e a ni*elittle house so"e!here, !here you !ouldnt have to !or+ so hard, and !hi*h

!ouldnt (e so lonely

Id li+e to, said Aunt %olly, !ith a si'h, (ut !ho !ould (uy a pla*e li+e this, half

ruined and in su*h a !ind-s!ept, desolate spot And I should never (e a(le to 'et

your un*le to "ove$ He loves this pla*e, he loves this !hole *oast, and +no!s "ore



a(out it than anyone else in the !orld$ .ell, !ell its no 'ood !ishin' this and that$

.e "ust 0ust 'o on until you and 6inah are old enou'h to earn your livin'$

Then I shall "a+e a ho"e for &other, and she and 6inah and I !ill live to'ether

happily, thou'ht %hilip, as he follo!ed his aunt do!nstairs to fet*h the old

"attress$ He *alled to ;a*+, and the t!o (oys, !ith "u*h pu3n' and pantin', 'otthe a!+!ard "attress up the narro! stair!ay$ 8i+i en*oura'ed the" !ith shrie+s

and s/ua!+s$ ;o-;o, the (la*+ "an, fro!ned at the noise$ He see"ed to thin+ 8i+i

!as dire*tin' her s*ree*hes at hi", and, !hen she found that her noises annoyed

hi", she did her (est to "a+e hi" 0u"p (y une#pe*ted s/ua!+s in his ear$

;o-;o !as ta+in' up a s"all ta(le and ;a*+s trun+$ He set the" do!n in the to!er-

roo" and loo+ed out of the !indo!$ He see"ed very (ad-te"pered, %hilip thou'ht$

Not that he !as 'ood-te"pered at any ti"e (ut he loo+ed even sul+ier than usual$

.hats up, ;o-;o said %hilip, !ho !as not in the least afraid of the sullen servant$

eein' thin's

The *hildren had lau'hed over ;o-;os idea that there !ere thin's !anderin' a(out

at ni'ht$ ;o-;o fro!ned$

&iss %olly shouldnt use this roo", he said$ No, that she shouldnt, and Ive telled

her so$ Its a (ad roo"$ And you *an see the Isle of Gloo" fro" it too, !hen the

"ists lift and its (ad to loo+ on the Isle of Gloo"$

6ont (e silly, ;o-;o, said %hilip, lau'hin'$

6ont (e silly, ;o-;o, repeated 8i+i, in an e#a*t i"itation of %hilips voi*e$ ;o-;o

s*o!led at (oth (oy and (ird$

.ell, you ta+e "y !ord, &aster %hilip, and dont you 'o loo+in' at the Isle of Gloo"

"ore than you *an help$ This is the only roo" you *an see it fro", and thats !hy

its a (ad roo"$ No 'ood ever *a"e fro" the Isle of Gloo"$ Bad "en lived there,

and (ad deeds !ere done there, and !i*+edness *a"e fro" that isle as lon' as

anyone re"e"(ers$

.ith this very !eird !arnin' the (la*+ "an departed do!n the stairs, his eyes

rollin', as he 'a)ed (a*+ at the t!o (oys !ith a s*o!l$

%leasant fello!, isnt he said %hilip, as he and ;a*+ unrolled the "attress$ Half

"ad, I thin+$ Any!ay, he "ust (e daft to stay on here and do the !or+ he does$ He

*ould 'et "u*h "ore "oney any!here else$

.hats this Isle of Gloo" he tal+s a(out said ;a*+, 'oin' to the !indo!$ .hat a

/ueer na"e I *ant see any island, Tufty$

7ou hardly ever *an see it, said %hilip$ It lies ri'ht out there, to the !est, and there

is a reef of ro*+s round it over !hi*h !aves *ontinually (rea+, <in'in' up spray$ It



see"s al!ays to have a "ist han'in' over it$ No-one lives there, thou'h people

used to, years and years a'o$

Id li+e to 'o there, said ;a*+$ There "ust (e hundreds of (irds on that island /uite

ta"e and friendly$ It !ould (e "arvellous to see the"$

Ta"e and friendly$ .hat do you "ean, Fre*+les said %hilip, in surprise$ :oo+ at the

(irds here afraid even of 8i+i

Ah, (ut the (irds on the Isle of Gloo" !ould not have +no!n "an at all, said ;a*+$

They !ould not have learnt to (e !ary or *autious$ I *ould 'et so"e si"ply

"arvellous photo'raphs$ Gosh, Id li+e to 'o there

.ell, you *ant, said %hilip$ Ive never (een "yself, and no-one has, as far as I

+no!$ :oo+ !ill this (e the (est pla*e for the "attress .e dont !ant it too near

the !indo!s (e*ause the rain !ould !et it and it often rains here$

%ut it !here you li+e, said ;a*+, lost in drea"s a(out the "isty island and itsun+no!n (irds$ He "i'ht see (irds there that he had never seen at all he "i'ht 5nd

rare nests and e''s$ He "i'ht ta+e the "ost !onderful (ird-photo'raphs in the

!orld$ ;a*+ !as /uite deter"ined to 'o to the Isle of Gloo" if he *ould, in spite of all

;o-;os fri'htenin' tales$

Co"e on do!n to the others, said %hilip at last, puttin' the last of their *lothes into

the *hest$ I *ant say youve (een "u*h help, ;a*+$ Co"e on, 8i+i$

They !ent do!n the narro!, !indin' stair to 5nd the others$ It !as 'ood to thin+ of

the !ee+s ahead, !ith no !or+, no lessons 0ust (athin', *li"(in', ro!in'$ They

*ertainly !ould have fun

Chapter

THE 6A7 GO B7

The 'irls had de*ided to have the t!o roo"s$ They !ere su*h s"all roo"s, and it!ould (e easier to +eep t!o roo"s tidier than one, if t!o people !ere to have the"$

There !ould never (e roo" for anythin' if !e tried to +eep all our thin's in one

roo", said 6inah, and :u*y-Ann a'reed$ he had (een up to see the to!er-roo"

and li+ed it very "u*h$ he !ould have li+ed a roo" !ithout 'lass panes too$ It !as

al"ost as 'ood as sleepin' out-of-doors, thou'ht the little 'irl, as she leaned out of

one of the !indo!s, and felt the sea-(ree)e strea"in' throu'h her hair$



The 'irls t!o roo"s loo+ed out over the sea, (ut in a di2erent dire*tion fro" the

(oys$ The Isle of Gloo" *ould never (e seen fro" there$ ;a*+ told :u*y-Ann !hat ;o-

;o had said, and :u*y-Ann loo+ed rather alar"ed$

7ou neednt !orry$ ;o-;os full of /ueer (eliefs and stories, said %hilip !ith a lau'h$

Theres nothin' in his stories, really I (elieve he 0ust li+es fri'htenin' people$

It !as /ueer to sleep for the 5rst ti"e at Cra''y-Tops$ :u*y-Ann lay a!a+e for a lon'

ti"e, listenin' to the "ued roar of the !aves (rea+in' on the ro*+s (elo!$ he

heard the !ind !histlin', too, and li+ed it$ Ho! di2erent it all !as fro" the /uiet

little to!n 4n*le Geo2rey lived in There everythin' see"ed half dead (ut here

there !as noise and "ove"ent, the taste of salt on her lips, the feel of the !ind

throu'h her hair$ It !as e#*itin'$ Anythin' "i'ht happen at lonely Cra''y-Tops$

;a*+ lay a!a+e in the to!er-roo" too$ %hilip !as asleep on the "attress (eside hi"$

;a*+ 'ot up and !ent to the !indo!$ The roo" !as full of the !ind, s!eepin' in at

the sea-!indo!s$ ;a*+ put his head out, and loo+ed do!n$

There !as a little "oon rushin' throu'h the *louds$ 6o!n (elo! !as the s!irlin'

!ater, for the tide !as in, (eatin' over the (la*+ ro*+s$ pray <e! up on the !ind,

and ;a*+ felt sure he *ould feel a little on his *hee+, hi'h thou'h his roo" !as$ He

li*+ed his lips$ They tasted deli*iously salt$

A (ird *ried in the ni'ht$ It sounded sad and "ournful, (ut ;a*+ li+ed it$ .hat (ird

!as it One he didnt +no! The sea pounded a!ay (elo! and the !ind s!ept up in

'usts$ ;a*+ shivered$ It !as su""er-ti"e, (ut Cra''y-Tops !as (uilt in su*h a !ind-

driven spot that there !ere al!ays drau'hts (lo!in' around$

Then he 0u"ped violently, for so"ethin' tou*hed his shoulder$ His heart thu"ped,

and then he lau'hed$ It !as only 8i+i$

8i+i al!ays slept !ith ;a*+, !herever he !as$ 4sually she sat on the rail at the head

of his (ed, her (i' head tu*+ed under her !in', (ut there !as no rail this ti"e, only

a <at "attress laid on the <oor$

o 8i+i had found an un*o"forta(le per*h on the ed'e of the *hest (ut !hen she

heard ;a*+ at the !indo! she had <o!n to her usual per*h, on his shoulder, "a+in'

hi" 0u"p violently$ he nestled a'ainst hi"$

Go to (ed, nau'hty (oy, she said$ Go to (ed$

;a*+ 'rinned$ It !as funny !hen 8i+i (y *han*e hit on the ri'ht senten*es$ He

s*rat*hed her poll, tal+in' in a lo! voi*e to her, so as not to !a+e %hilip$

Ill ri' you up a per*h of so"e sort to"orro!, 8i+i, he said$ 7ou *ant sleep properly

on the ed'e of that *hest, I +no!$ No! I" 'oin' to (ed$ Its a !ild ni'ht, isnt it But

I li+e it$



He !ent (a*+ to (ed, *old and shiverin'$ But he soon 'ot !ar", *uddled up a'ainst

%hilips (a*+, and fell asleep, to drea" of thousands of sea-(irds !al+in' ta"ely up

to (e photo'raphed$

:ife at Cra''y-Tops !as stran'e to ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann at 5rst, after all the years they

had spent in an ordinary little house in an ordinary little to!n$

There !as no ele*tri* li'ht$ There !as no hot or *old !ater *o"in' out of taps$

There !ere no shops round the *orner$ There !as no 'arden$

There !ere oil-la"ps to *lean and tri" ea*h day, and *andles to (e put into *andle-

sti*+s$ There !as !ater to (e pu"ped up fro" a deep, deep !ell$ ;a*+ !as

interested in the !ell$

There !as a s"all yard (ehind the house, (a*+in' on to the ro*+y *li2, and in it !as

the !ell that 'ave the household their !ater$ ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann !ere surprised that

the !ater !as not salt$

No, its pure drin+in'-!ater all ri'ht, said 6inah, liftin' a heavy (u*+et fro" the

*hain$ The !ell 'oes ri'ht do!n in the ro*+s, far (elo! the sea-(ed, to pure !ater,

*rystal *lear and i*y *old$ Taste it$

It !as 'ood to drin+ as 'ood as any i*ed !ater the *hildren had drun+ on hot

su""er days$ ;a*+ peered do!n the dar+, deep !ell$

Id li+e to 'o do!n in that (u*+et and 5nd out ho! deep the !ell-(otto" is, he said$

7oud feel funny if you 'ot stu*+ and *ouldnt 'et up a'ain, said 6inah, !ith a

'i''le$ Co"e on, help "e, ;a*+$ 6ont stand drea"in' there$ 7oure al!aysdrea"in'$

And youre al!ays so /ui*+ and i"patient, said %hilip, near (y$ 6inah 'ave hi" an

an'ry loo+$ he <ared up very /ui*+ly, and it !as easy to provo+e her$

.ell, if you had to do as "u*h as :u*y-Ann and I have (een told to do, youd (e a

(it /ui*+er too, she snapped (a*+$ Co"e on, :u*y-Ann$ :ets leave the (oys to 'et

on !ith their 0o(s$ Boys arent "u*h 'ood, any!ay$

7es, youd (etter 'o, (efore I slap you, yelled %hilip after her, and then darted a!ay

(efore the an'ry 6inah *ould *o"e after hi"$ :u*y-Ann !as pu))led and rather

sho*+ed at their *ontinual /uarrels, (ut she soon sa! that they !ere over as /ui*+ly

as they arose, and 'ot used to the"$

hoppin' !as /uite a (usiness$ It "eant that ;o-;o had to 'et out the old *ar, and 'o

o2 !ith a lon' list to the nearest villa'e t!i*e a !ee+$ If anythin' !as for'otten, it

had to (e done !ithout till the ne#t visit$ e'eta(les !ere 'ot fro" a s"all

allot"ent that ;o-;o !or+ed at hi"self, in a sheltered dip of the *li2 a!ay (ehind the

house$



:ets 'o !ith ;o-;o and have a ride in the *ar, su''ested :u*y-Ann one "ornin'$ But

%hilip shoo+ his head$

No 'ood, he said$ .eve as+ed ;o-;o heaps of ti"es, (ut he !ont ta+e us$ He 0ust

refuses, and says hell push us out of the *ar if !e 'et in it to 'o !ith hi"$ I did 'et

in on*e, and he +ept his !ord and pushed "e out$

The old (east said ;a*+, astonished$ I !onder you put up !ith hi"$

.ell, !ho else !ould *o"e here and !or+ for us in this desolate pla*e said 6inah$

No(ody else$ ;o-;o !ouldnt either if he !asnt half "ad$

till, :u*y-Ann did as+ ;o-;o if she *ould 'o !ith hi" !hen he !ent shoppin'$

No, said the (la*+ "an, and s*o!led$

%lease, ;o-;o, said :u*y-Ann, loo+in' at hi" pleadin'ly$ 4sually she 'ot her o!n !ay

!hen she (adly !anted it (ut not !ith ;o-;o$

I said NO, repeated the (la*+ "an, and !al+ed o2, his po!erful ar"s s!in'in' (y

his sides$ :u*y-Ann stared after hi"$ Ho! horrid he !as .hy !ouldnt he ta+e any

of the" in the *ar !hen he !ent shoppin' ;ust (ad te"per, she supposed$

It !as fun (ein' at Cra''y-Tops, in spite of so "any thin's (ein' di3*ult$ Hot (aths,

for instan*e, *ould only (e had on*e a !ee+$ At least, they *ould (e ta+en every

day, if so"eone li'hted the *opper 5re, and !as !illin' to *arry pails of hot !ater

do!n "iles of stone passa'es to the one and only (ath, set in a s"all roo" *alled

the (athroo"$

After doin' this on*e, ;a*+ de*ided that he didnt really *are !hether he had any

"ore hot (aths or not !hilst he !as at Cra''y-Tops$ Hed (athe in the sea t!o or

three ti"es a day, and "a+e that do instead$

The 'irls !ere 'iven household tas+s to do, and did the" as (est they *ould$ Aunt

%olly did the *oo+in'$ 4n*le ;o*elyn did not appear even for "eals$ Aunt %olly too+

the" to hi" in his study, and the *hildren hardly re"e"(ered he !as in the house$

The (oys had to 'et in the !ater fro" the !ell, (rin' the !ood in for the +it*hen

5re, and 5ll the (urners in the oil-stove !ith oil$ They too+ it in turns !ith the 'irls to

*lean and tri" the la"ps$ No(ody li+ed doin' that, it !as su*h a "essy 0o($

;o-;o loo+ed after the *ar and the allot"ent, did rou'h s*ru((in', *leaned the

!indo!s !hen they (e*a"e *lo''ed up !ith salty spray, and did all +inds of other

0o(s$ He had a (oat of his o!n, a sound and 'ood one !ith a s"all sail$

.ould he let us use it as+ed ;a*+$



Of *ourse not, said %hilip s*ornfully$ And youd (etter not try to, !ithout per"ission$

Hed (eat you if you did$ That (oat is the apple of his eye$ .e are not allo!ed even

to set foot in it$

;a*+ !ent to have a loo+ at it$ It !as a very 'ood (oat indeed, and "ust have *ost a

lot of "oney$ It had re*ently (een painted and !as in 5rst-*lass order$ There !ereoars, "ast and sail, and a 'ood deal of 5shin' ta*+le$ ;a*+ !ould dearly have loved

to 'o out in it$

But even as he stood loo+in' at it, !onderin' if he dared to put his foot into it and

feel the (oat ro*+in' 'ently (eneath hi", the (la*+ "an appeared, his usual s*o!l

even (la*+er$

.hat you doin' he de"anded, his dar+ eyes rollin', and the !hites sho!in'

plainly$ Thats "y (oat$

All ri'ht, all ri'ht, said ;a*+ i"patiently$ Cant I loo+ at it

No, said ;o-;o, and s*o!led a'ain$

Nau'hty (oy, said 8i+i, and s*ree*hed at ;o-;o, !ho loo+ed as if he !ould li+e to

!rin' the (irds ne*+$

.ell, you *ertainly are a pleasant fello!, said ;a*+, steppin' a!ay fro" the (oat,

feelin' suddenly afraid of the sullen (la*+ "an$ But let "e tell you this I" 'oin' out

in a (oat, so"eho!, and you *ant stop "e$

;o-;o loo+ed after ;a*+ !ith his eyes half *losed and his "outh turned in an'rily$ That

interferin' (oy ;o-;o !ould *ertainly stop hi" doin' anythin' if he *ould

Chapter

A J4EE9 6ICOE97

If it had not (een for ;o-;o, life at Cra''y-Tops, on*e the *hildren had settled do!n to

their daily tas+s, !ould have (een very pleasant$ There see"ed so "u*h to do that

!as fun s!i""in' in the sheltered *ove, !here the !ater !as *al", !as si"ply

lovely$ E#plorin' the da"p dar+ *aves in the *li2s !as fun$ Fishin' fro" the ro*+s

!ith a line !as also very e#*itin', (e*ause /uite (i' 5sh *ould (e *au'ht that !ay$

But ;o-;o see"ed to spoil everythin', !ith his s*o!ls and *ontinual interferen*e$ He

al!ays see"ed to appear !herever the *hildren !ere$ If they (athed, his (la*+ fa*e



appeared round the ro*+s$ If they 5shed, he *a"e s*o!lin' out on the ro*+s and

told the" they !ere !astin' their ti"e$

Oh, leave us alone, ;o-;o, said %hilip i"patiently$ 7ou a*t as if you !ere our +eeper

For 'oodness sa+e 'o and 'et on !ith your o!n !or+, and leave us to do !hat !e

!ant to do$ .ere not doin' any har"$

&iss %olly said to "e to +eep an eye on you all, said ;o-;o sul+ily$ he said to "e not

to let you 'et into dan'er, see$

No, I dont see, said %hilip *rossly$ All I *an see is that you +eep on poppin' up

!herever !e are and spoilin' thin's for us$ 6ont +eep pryin' on us$ .e dont li+e it$

:u*y-Ann 'i''led$ he thou'ht it !as (rave of %hilip to tal+ to the (i' (la*+ "an li+e

that$ He *ertainly !as a nuisan*e$ .hat fun they !ould have had if he had (een

0olly and 'ood-te"pered They *ould have 'one 5shin' and sailin' in his (oat$ They

*ould have 5shed properly !ith hi"$ They *ould have 'one out in the *ar and

pi*ni*+ed$

But all (e*ause hes so daft and (ad-te"pered !e *ant do any of those thin's, said

:u*y-Ann$ .hy, !e "i'ht even have tried to sail out to the Isle of Gloo" to see if

there !ere "any (irds there, as ;a*+ so (adly !ants to do, if only ;o-;o had (een

ni*e$

.ell, hes not ni*e, and !ell never 'o to Gloo", and if !e did 'et there, I (et there

!ouldnt (e any (irds on su*h a desolate pla*e, said %hilip$ Co"e on lets e#plore

that (i' *ave !e found yesterday$

It really !as fun e#plorin' the *aves on the shore$ o"e of the" ran very far (a*+

into the *li2$ Others had /ueer holes in their roofs, that led to upper *aves$ %hilip

said that in olden ti"es "en had used the *aves for hidin' in, or for storin'

s"u''led 'oods$ But there !as nothin' to (e seen in the" no! e#*ept sea!eed

and e"pty shells$

I !ish !e had a 'ood tor*h, said ;a*+, as his *andle !as (lo!n out for the si#th ti"e

that "ornin'$ I shall soon have no *andles left$ If only there !as a shop round the

*orner !here !e *ould slip alon' and (uy a tor*h I as+ed ;o-;o yesterday to 'et "e

one !hen he !ent shoppin' in the *ar, (ut he !ouldnt$

Oooh heres a "ost enor"ous star5sh said %hilip, holdin' his *andle do!n to the

<oor of the da"p *ave$ 6o loo+ its a 'iant one, I" sure$

6inah 'ave a shrie+$ he hated *reepy-*ra!ly thin's as "u*h as %hilip li+ed the"$

6ont tou*h it$ And dont (rin' it near "e$



But %hilip !as a tease, and he pi*+ed up the 'reat star5sh, !ith its 5ve lon' 5n'ers,

and !al+ed over to 6inah !ith it$ he <e! into a furious ra'e$

7ou (east I told you not to (rin' it near "e$ Ill +ill it if you do$

7ou *ant +ill star5sh, said %hilip$ If you *ut one in half it 'ro!s ne! 5n'ers, and,

hey presto, it is t!o star5shes instead of one$ o there Have a loo+ at it, 6inah

s"ell it feel it$

%hilip pushed the 'reat *la""y thin' near to his sisters fa*e$ 9eally alar"ed, 6inah

hit out, and 'ave %hilip su*h a push that he reeled, over(alan*ed and fell headlon'

to the <oor of the *ave$ His *andle !ent out$ There !as a shout fro" %hilip, then a

*urious slitherin' noise and silen*e$

Hi, Tufty Are you all ri'ht *alled ;a*+, and held his *andle hi'h$ To his enor"ous

astonish"ent, %hilip had *o"pletely disappeared$ There !as the star5sh on the

sea!eedy 'round (ut no %hilip !as (eside it$

The three *hildren stared in the 'reatest a"a)e"ent at the *lu"ps of sea!eed

han'in' fro" the !alls of the *ave, spreadin' over the 'round$ .herever had %hilip

'one

6inah !as s*ared$ he had *ertainly "eant to 'ive %hilip a hard (lo! (ut she hadnt

"eant hi" to disappear o2 the fa*e of the earth$ he 'ave a yell$

%hilip Are you hidin' Co"e out, idiot

A "ued voi*e *a"e fro" so"e!here$ Hi !here a" I

Thats Tuftys voi*e, said ;a*+$ But !here is he Hes no!here in this *ave$

The *hildren put their three *andles to'ether and loo+ed round the s"all, lo!-

roofed, sea!eedy *ave$ It s"elt very dan+ and "usty$ %hilips voi*e *a"e a'ain

fro" so"e!here, soundin' rather fri'htened$

I say .here a" I

;a*+ advan*ed *autiously over the slippery sea!eed to !here %hilip had fallen !hen

6inah had stru*+ hi"$ Then suddenly he see"ed to lose his footin', and, to the

surprise of the !at*hin' 'irls, he too disappeared, see"in' to sin+ do!n into the

<oor of the sea!eedy *ave$

By the !averin' li'ht of their t!o *andles the 'irls tried to see !hat had happened

to ;a*+$ Then they sa! the e#planation of the "ystery$ The fronds of sea!eed hid an

openin' in the <oor of the *ave, and !hen the (oys had put their !ei'ht on to the

sea!eed *overin' the hole, they had slipped (et!een the fronds do!n into so"e

*ave (elo!$ Ho! /ueer



Thats !here they !ent, said 6inah, pointin' to a dar+ spa*e (et!een the sea!eed

*overin' that part of the <oor$ I hope they havent (ro+en their le's$ Ho! ever shall

!e 'et the" out

;a*+ had fallen on top of poor %hilip, al"ost s/uashin' hi"$ 8i+i, left (ehind in the

*ave a(ove, let out an ear-pier*in' s*ree*h$ he hated these dar+ *aves, (ut al!ays*a"e !ith ;a*+$ No! he had suddenly 'one, and the parrot !as alar"ed$

hut up, 8i+i, said 6inah, 0u"pin' in fri'ht at the s*ree*h$ :oo+, :u*y-Ann, theres a

hole in the *ave <oor there, 0ust (et!een that thi*+ sea!eed$ .al+ *arefully, or

youll disappear too$ Hold up "y *andle as !ell as your o!n and Ill see if I *an "a+e

out e#a*tly !hat has happened$

.hat had happened !as really very si"ple$ First %hilip had 'one do!n the hole into

a *ave (elo!, and then ;a*+ had fallen on top of hi"$ %hilip !as feelin' fri'htened

and (ruised$ He *lut*hed ;a*+ and !ouldnt let 'o$

.hats happened he said$

Hole in the *ave <oor, said ;a*+, puttin' out his hands and feelin' round to see ho!

(i' the *ave !as they had fallen into$ He tou*hed ro*+y !alls on ea*h side of hi" at

on*e$ I say this is a "i'hty s"all *ave$ Hi, 'irls, put the *andles over the hole so

that !e *an see so"ethin'$

A li'hted *andle no! appeared a(ove the (oys and they !ere a(le to see a little$

.ere not in a *ave$ .ere in a passa'e, said ;a*+, astonished$ At least, !ere at the

(e'innin' of a passa'e$ I !onder !here it 'oes to ri'ht into the *li2s, I suppose$

Hand us do!n a *andle, *alled %hilip, feelin' (etter no!$ Oh, 'oodness heres 8i+i$

Cant you shut the door said 8i+i, in a sharp voi*e, sittin' hard on ;a*+s shoulder,

'lad to (e !ith her "aster a'ain$ he (e'an to !histle, and then told herself not to$

hut up, 8i+i, said ;a*+$ :oo+, %hilip there really is a passa'e leadin' up there

a!fully dar+ and narro!$ And !hat a s"ell there is 6inah, pass that *andle do!n

/ui*+ly, do

6inah at last "ana'ed to hand do!n a li'hted *andle$ he lay <at on the sea!eedy

*ave <oor, and 0ust "ana'ed to pass the *andle do!n throu'h the hole$ ;a*+ held it

up$ The dar+ passa'e loo+ed "ysterious and /ueer$

.hat a(out e#plorin' it said %hilip, feelin' e#*ited$ It loo+s as if it ou'ht to 'o

(elo! Cra''y-Tops itself$ Its a se*ret passa'e$

&ore li+ely a short *ra*+ in the *li2 ro*+s that leads no!here at all, said ;a*+$ 8i+i,

dont pe*+ "y ear so hard$ .ell 'o into the open air soon$ Hi, you 'irls .e thin+

!ell 'o up this funny passa'e$ Are you *o"in'



No, than+s, said :u*y-Ann at on*e, !ho didnt at all li+e the sound of a sea!eedy

passa'e that ran, dar+ and narro!, throu'h the *li2s$ .ell stay here till you *o"e

(a*+$ 6ont (e lon'$ .eve only 'ot one *andle no!$ Have you so"e "at*hes in

*ase your *andle 'oes out

7es, said ;a*+, feelin' in his po*+et$ .ell, 'ood(ye for the present$ 6ont fall do!nthe hole$

The (oys left the dar+ hole under !hi*h they stood and (e'an to "a+e their !ay up

the da"p passa'e$ The 'irls *ould no lon'er hear their voi*es or footsteps$ They

!aited patiently in the *ave a(ove, li'hted (y one <i*+erin' *andle$ It !as *old and

they shivered, 'lad of their !ar" 0erseys$

The (oys !ere a very lon' ti"e$ The t!o 'irls (e*a"e i"patient and then alar"ed$

.hat *ould have happened to the" They peered do!n the hole (et!een the 'reat

fronds of sea!eed and listened$ Not a sound *ould (e heard$

Oh dear do you thin+ !e ou'ht to 'o after the" said :u*y-Ann desperately$ he

!ould (e fri'htened to death 'oin' up that dar+ se*ret passa'e, she !as sure, and

yet if ;a*+ !as in need of help she !ould have no hesitation in 0u"pin' do!n and

follo!in' hi"$

Better 'o and tell ;o-;o and 'et hi" to *o"e and help, said 6inah$ Hed (etter (rin'

a rope, I should thin+$ The (oys !ould never (e a(le to *li"( up throu'h the hole

(a*+ into this *ave, !ithout help$

No, dont lets tell ;o-;o, said :u*y-Ann, !ho disli+ed the (la*+ "an thorou'hly, and

!as afraid of hi"$ .ell !ait a (it lon'er$ &ay(e the passa'e !as a very lon' one$

It !as far lon'er than the (oys e#pe*ted$ It t!isted and turned as it !ent throu'h

the *li2, 'oin' up!ards all the ti"e$ It !as pit*h-dar+, and the *andle did not see"

to li'ht it very "u*h$ The (oys (u"ped their heads a'ainst the roof every no! and

a'ain, for it !as so"eti"es only shoulder-hi'h$

It 're! drier as it !ent up$ oon there !as no sea!eedy s"ell at all, (ut the air felt

stale and "usty$ It !as rather di3*ult to (reathe$

I (elieve the air is (ad here, panted %hilip, as they !ent on$ I *an hardly (reathe$

On*e or t!i*e I thou'ht our *andle !as 'oin' out, Fre*+les$ That !ould "ean the air

!as very (ad$ urely !e shall *o"e to the end of this passa'e soon$

As he spo+e, the passa'e !ent steeply up!ards and !as *ut into rou'h steps$ It

ended a(ruptly in a ro*+y !all$ The (oys !ere pu))led$

Its not a real passa'e, then, said %hilip, disappointed$ ;ust a *ra*+ in the *li2 ro*+s,

as you said$ But these do really loo+ li+e rou'h steps, dont they



The li'ht of the *andle shone do!n on to the steps$ 7es so"eone had he!n out

those steps at one ti"e (ut !hy

;a*+ held the *andle a(ove his head and 'ave a shout$

:oo+ Isnt that a trap-door a(ove our heads Thats !here the passa'e led to that

trap-door I say lets 'et it open if !e *an$

ure enou'h, there !as an old !ooden trap-door, *losin' the e#it of the passa'e,

a(ove their heads$ If only they *ould lift it .herever !ould they 5nd the"selves

Chapter K

IN THE CE::A9

:ets push at it to'ether, said %hilip, in e#*ite"ent, Ill put the *andle do!n on this

led'e$

He stu*+ the *andle 5r"ly into a *ra*+ on the led'e$ Then he and ;a*+ pushed hard

at the trap-door 0ust a(ove their heads$ A sho!er of dust fell do!n, and %hilip

(lin+ed his eyes, half (linded$ ;a*+ had *losed his$

Blo! said %hilip, ru((in' his eyes$ Co"e on, lets try a'ain$ I felt it "ove$

They tried a'ain, and this ti"e the trap-door suddenly 'ave !ay$ It lifted a fe!

in*hes, and then fell (a*+ a'ain, settin' free another *loud of dust$

Get a ro*+ or (i' stone and !ell stand on it, said ;a*+, red !ith e#*ite"ent$ A (it

"ore of a push and !ell 'et the thin' ri'ht open$

They found three or four <attish stones, put the" in a stout pile, and stood on the"$

They pushed a'ainst the trap-door, and to their deli'ht it lifted ri'ht up, and fell

(a*+!ards !ith a thud on the <oor a(ove, leavin' a s/uare openin' a(ove the

heads of the (oys$

Give "e a heave up, ;a*+, said %hilip$ He 'ot su*h a shove that he shot out throu'hthe trap-door openin' and landed on a ro*+y <oor a(ove$ It !as dar+ there and he

*ould see nothin'$

Hand up the *andle, Fre*+les, and then Ill haul you up, said %hilip$ The *andle !as

handed up, (ut !ent out suddenly$

Blo! said %hilip$ Oh 'lory, !hats that



8i+i, I e#pe*t, said ;a*+$ hes <o!n up$

8i+i had not "ade a sound or said a !ord all throu'h the se*ret passa'e$ he had

(een alar"ed at the dar+ stran'e pla*e, and had *lun' hard to ;a*+ all the !ay$

%hilip hauled ;a*+ up, and then 'roped in his po*+et for "at*hes to li'ht the *andle

a'ain$ .here do you suppose !e are he said$ I si"ply *ant i"a'ine$

Feels li+e the other end of the !orld, said ;a*+$ Ah thats (etter$ No! !e *an see$

He held up the li'hted *andle and the t!o (oys loo+ed round$

I +no! !here !e are, said %hilip suddenly$ In one of the *ellars at Cra''y-Tops$ :oo+

there are (o#es of stores over there$ Tins of food and stu2$

o there are, said ;a*+$ &y !ord, !hat a 5ne store your aunt +eeps do!n here

Golly, this is /uite an adventure$ 6o you suppose your aunt and un*le +no! a(out

the se*ret passa'e

I shouldnt thin+ so, said %hilip$ Aunt %olly !ould (e sure to have "entioned it to us,

I should thin+$ I dont see" to +no! this part of the *ellars very !ell$ :et "e see

!here is the *ellar door no!

The (oys !andered do!n the *ellar, tryin' to 5nd the !ay out$ They *a"e to a stout

!ooden door, (ut, to their surprise, it !as lo*+ed$

Blo! said %hilip, annoyed$ No! !e shall have to *reep all the !ay (a*+ do!n that

passa'e a'ain$ I dont feel li+e doin' that, so"eho!$ Any!ay, this isnt the door that

leads out of the *ellars into the +it*hen$ 7ou have to 'o up steps to that one$ This

"ust (e a door that shuts o2 one part of the *ellars fro" the other$ I dont

re"e"(er seein' it (efore$

:isten isnt that so"e(ody *o"in' said ;a*+ suddenly, his sharp ears hearin'

footsteps$

7es its ;o-;o, said %hilip, hearin' the fa"iliar *ou'h he +ne! so !ell$ :ets hide$ I"

not 'oin' to tell ;o- ;o a(out that passa'e$ .ell +eep it to ourselves$ hut the trap-

door do!n /ui*+ly, ;a*+, and then !ell hide (ehind this ar*h!ay here$ .e *ould slip

out /uietly !hen ;o-;o opens the door$ Blo! out the *andle$

They shut the trap-door /uietly and then, in the pit*h dar+ness, hid (ehind thestone ar*h!ay near the door$ They heard ;o-;o puttin' a +ey into the lo*+$ The door

s!un' open, and the (la*+ "an appeared, loo+in' hu'e in the <i*+erin' li'ht of his

lantern$ He left the door open, and !ent to!ards the (a*+ of the *ellar, !here the

stores lay$

The (oys had on ru((er shoes, and *ould have slipped out !ithout ;o-;o +no!in'

anythin' at all (ut 8i+i *hose that "o"ent to i"itate ;o-;os hollo! *ou'h$ It 5lled



the *ellar !ith "ournful e*hoes, and ;o-;o dropped his lantern !ith a *rash$ The

'lass splintered and the li'ht !ent out$ ;o-;o 'ave a ho!l of terror and <ed out of

the door at on*e, not even pausin' to lo*+ it$ He (rushed a'ainst the t!o (oys as he

!ent, and 'ave another s*ree*h of fri'ht, feelin' their !ar" (odies as he passed$

8i+i, thrilled at the result of her *ou'hin' i"itation, 'ave an unearthly s*ree*h thatsent ;o-;o headlon' throu'h the other part of the *ellars, up the steps and throu'h

the *ellar door$ He al"ost fell as he appeared in the +it*hen, and Aunt %olly 0u"ped

in astonish"ent$

.hats the "atter .hat has happened

Theres thin's do!n there panted ;o-;o, his (la*+ fa*e loo+in' as pale as it ever

*ould loo+$

Thin's .hat do you "ean said Aunt %olly severely$

Thin's that s*ree*h and yell and *lut*h at "e, said ;o-;o, sin+in' into a *hair, androllin' his eyes till nothin' (ut the da))lin' !hites *ould (e seen$

Nonsense said Aunt %olly, stirrin' a sau*epan vi'orously$ I dont +no! !hy you

!anted to 'o do!n there any!ay$ .e dont need anythin' fro" the *ellars this

"ornin'$ Ive plenty of potatoes up here$ %ull yourself to'ether, ;o-;o$ 7oull fri'hten

the *hildren if you (ehave li+e this$

The t!o (oys had *ollapsed into helpless lau'hter !hen they had seen poor ;o-;o

runnin' in alar" fro" the *ellar, yellin' for all he !as !orth$ They *lut*hed ea*h

other and lau'hed till they a*hed$ .ell, ;o-;o is al!ays tryin' to fri'hten us (y tales

of pe*uliar thin's that !ander a(out at ni'ht, said ;a*+, and no! hes (een *au'ht(y his o!n silly stories and (een al"ost fri'htened out of his !its$

I say hes left the +ey in the door, said %hilip, !ho had no! li'hted his *andle a'ain$

:ets ta+e it$ Then, if ever !e !ant to use that passa'e a'ain, !e *an al!ays 'et out

this !ay if !e !ant to, (y unlo*+in' the door$

He put the (i' +ey into his po*+et, 'rinnin'$ &ay(e the (la*+ "an !ould thin+ it !as

one of the thin's he !as al!ays tal+in' a(out that had 'one o2 !ith his +ey$

The (oys !ent into the part of the *ellar they +ne!$ %hilip loo+ed !ith interest at the

door throu'h !hi*h they had *o"e$

I never +ne! there !as another *ellar (eyond this 5rst one, he said, loo+in' round

the vast under'round roo"$ Ho! did I never noti*e that door (efore, I !onder

Those (o#es "ust have (een piled in front of it to hide it, said ;a*+$ There !ere

e"pty (o#es (y the door, and no! that he thou'ht of it, %hilip re"e"(ered seein'

the" in a (i' pile every ti"e he had 'one into the *ellar$ They had (een neatly piled

in front of that door$ A tri*+ of ;o-;os, no dou(t, to stop the *hildren 'oin' into the



se*ond *ellar, !here all those stores !ere +ept$ Ho! silly and *hildish .ell, ;o-;o

*ouldnt stop the" 'oin' there no!$

.e *an 'o there throu'h the se*ret passa'e, or !e *ould 'o there throu'h the door,

(e*ause Ive 'ot the +ey no!, thou'ht %hilip, pleased at the idea of (ein' a(le to

out!it the (la*+ "an if he !anted to$

I suppose those steps lead up to the +it*hen, dont they said ;a*+, pointin' to

the"$ Is it safe to 'o up, do you thin+ .e dont !ant anyone to see us, or theyd

as+ a!+!ard /uestions$

Ill slip up to the top, open the door a *ra*+, and listen to see if anyone is a(out,

said %hilip$ o up he !ent$ But ;o-;o had 'one out and his aunt !as no lon'er there,

so the (i' +it*hen !as e"pty and silent$ The (oys !ere a(le to slip out, 'o to the

outer door, and run do!n the *li2 path !ithout anyone seein' the" at all$

The 'irls !ill !onder !hatever has (e*o"e of us, said ;a*+, suddenly re"e"(erin'

6inah and :u*y-Ann, !aitin' patiently for the" in the *ave !here the hole !as that

led into the passa'e$ Co"e on lets 'ive the" an a!ful fri'ht, shall !e Theyll (e

e#pe*tin' us to *o"e (a*+ throu'h the se*ret passa'e theyll never e#pe*t us to

*o"e (a*+ this !ay$

They "ade their !ay do!n to the ro*+y shore$ They !ent to the *aves they had

e#plored that "ornin' and found the one that had the hole$ The t!o 'irls !ere

sittin' (y the hole, an#iously dis*ussin' !hat they ou'ht to do$

.e really "ust 'o and 'et help no!, said :u*y-Ann$ I" sure so"ethin' has

happened to the (oys$ 9eally I a"$

%hilip suddenly spotted the 'iant star5sh a'ain, the one that had *aused all the

trou(le$ ery silently he pi*+ed it up$ .ithout "a+in' a sound, he *rept over the

sea!eedy *ave <oor to poor 6inah$ He pla*ed the star5sh on her (are ar", !here it

slithered do!n in a horri(le "anner$

6inah leapt up !ith a shrie+ that !as even !orse than 8i+is loudest one$ Oh oh

%hilips (a*+ a'ain, the (east .ait till I 'et hold of you, %hilip Ill pull all your hair

out of your head 7ou hateful (oy

In one of her furious ra'es 6inah leapt at %hilip, !ho ran out of the *aves and on to

the sandy shore in 'lee$ :u*y-Ann thre! her ar"s round ;a*+$ he had (een veryan#ious a(out hi"$

;a*+ Oh, ;a*+, !hat happened to you I !aited so lon'$ Ho! did you *o"e (a*+ this

!ay .here did the passa'e lead to



hrie+s and yells and shouts fro" 6inah and %hilip "ade it i"possi(le for ;a*+ to

ans!er, espe*ially as 8i+i no! 0oined in the ro!, s*ree*hin' li+e an e#press train in a

tunnel$

There !as a 5ne 5'ht 'oin' on (et!een %hilip and 6inah$ The an'ry 'irl had *au'ht

her (rother, and !as hittin' out at hi" for all she !as !orth$

Ill tea*h you to thro! star5sh at "e$ 7ou "ean pi' 7ou +no! I hate those thin's$ Ill

pull all your hair out$

%hilip 'ot free and ran o2, leavin' a fe! of his hairs in 6inahs 5n'ers$ 6inah turned

a furious fa*e to the others$

Hes a (east$ I shant tal+ to hi" for days$ I !ish he !asnt "y (rother$

It !as only a (it of fun, (e'an ;a*+, (ut this "ade "atters !orse$ 6inah <e! into a

te"per !ith hi" too, and loo+ed so 5er*e that :u*y-Ann !as /uite alar"ed, and

thou'ht she !ould have to defend ;a*+ if 6inah rushed to slap hi"$

I !ont have anythin' to do !ith any of you, stor"ed 6inah, and !al+ed o2 an'rily$

No! she !ont hear all !eve found this "ornin', said ;a*+$ .hat a spit5re she is

.ell, !ell have to tell you, :u*y-Ann$ .eve had a real adventure$

6inah, !al+in' o2 in a fury, suddenly re"e"(ered that she had not heard the story

of the se*ret passa'e and !here it *a"e out$ For'ettin' her ra'e, she turned (a*+

at on*e$

he sa! :u*y-Ann and the t!o (oys to'ether$ %hilip turned his (a*+ on her as she

*a"e up$ But 6inah *ould (e as sudden in her 'ood te"pers as she !as in her (ad

ones$ he put her ar" on %hilips$

orry, %hilip, she said$ .hat happened to you and ;a*+ in that se*ret passa'e I"

lon'in' to +no!$

o pea*e !as restored a'ain, and soon the t!o 'irls !ere listenin' in the 'reatest

e#*ite"ent to all that the (oys had to tell$

It !as an adventure, I *an tell you, said ;a*+$ o it !as and there !ere "ore to

*o"e

Chapter L

A T9ANGE BOAT



The 'irls !ould not 'o up the se*ret passa'e, no "atter ho! "u*h the (oys ur'ed

the" to$ They shuddered to thin+ of the dar+, narro!, !indin' tunnel, and althou'h

they a'reed that it !as very e#*itin', they did not !ant to feel the thrill of *reepin'

alon' it the"selves$

I suppose 6inahs afraid of 'iant star5sh 0u"pin' out at her, or so"ethin', said

%hilip in dis'ust$ And :u*y-Ann is 0ust a (a(y$

But even teasin' !ould not "a+e the 'irls try the passa'e, thou'h they never tired

of hearin' a(out it$ The (oys slipped do!n into the *ellar the ne#t day, and found

that ;o-;o had on*e a'ain piled up the (o#es in front of the se*ond door, so that it

!as /uite hidden$ It !as pu))lin', (ut he often did silly spiteful thin's$ Any!ay, they

had the +ey of the door$ That !as so"ethin'$

The !eather (e*a"e 5ne and hot$ The sun shone do!n out of a *loudless s+y and

the *hildren !ent a(out in (athin'-suits$ They !ere soon (urnt as (ro!n as 'ypsies$

%hilip, 6inah and :u*y-Ann spent "ore ti"e than ;a*+ in the !ater$ The (oy !as

/uite "ad over the !ild (irds that infested the *oast in su*h nu"(ers$ He !as

forever identifyin' terns and s+uas, *or"orants, 'ulls and others$ He did not !ant

:u*y-Ann !ith hi", "u*h to her dis"ay$

The (irds are learnin' to +no! "e, he e#plained to his sister$ But they dont +no!

you, :u*y-Ann$ 7ou +eep !ith the others, theres a 'ood 'irl$ Any!ay, !e *ant (oth

leave Tufty and 6inah, it !ould (e rude$

o for on*e :u*y-Ann !as not ;a*+s shado!, and spent "ost of her ti"e !ith the

others$ But she usually +ne! !here ;a*+ !as, and, !hen it !as a(out ti"e for hi"

to return, she !ould al!ays !at*h for hi"$

6inah thou'ht she !as silly$ he !ould never have drea"t of !at*hin' for %hilip$ I"

only too 'lad !hen he 'ets out of the !ay, she said to :u*y-Ann$ Horrid tease He

nearly "ade "e 'o "ad last year !hen he put ear!i's under "y pillo!, and they

all *ra!led out in the "iddle of the ni'ht$

Even :u*y-Ann thou'ht that sounded horrid$ But (y no! she !as used to %hilip and

his pe*uliar !ays$ Even !hen he !as only !earin' (athin'-dra!ers he see"ed a(le

to se*rete so"e +ind of *reature a(out his (ody$ 7esterday it had (een a *ouple of

friendly *ra(s$ But !hen he had a**identally sat do!n on one, and it had nippedhi", he had *o"e to the *on*lusion that *ra(s !ere (etter in the sea than out of it$

Any!ay, I" 'lad Fre*+les ta+es 8i+i !ith hi" !hen he 'oes (ird-!at*hin', said

6inah$ I /uite li+e 8i+i, (ut no! that she has ta+en to i"itatin' all the (irds around

here, it is rather si*+enin'$ I" surprised Aunt$ %olly puts up !ith her as !ell as she

does$



Aunt %olly had (e*o"e fond of the parrot$ It !as an artful (ird and +ne! that it had

only to "ur"ur %oor dear %olly to 'et anythin' it li+ed out of Aunt %olly$ ;o-;o had

(een !ell and truly ti*+ed o2 (y Aunt %olly the day he had 'one shoppin' in the *ar

and had for'otten the parrots sun<o!er seeds$ The *hildren had (een deli'hted to

hear the sullen (la*+ "an so !ell s*olded$

4n*le ;o*elyns e#perien*e of 8i+i !as de5nitely not 'ood$ One hot afternoon the

parrot had <o!n silently in at the open !indo! of the study, !here 4n*le ;o*elyn

sat, as usual, (ent dou(le over his old papers and (oo+s$ 8i+i <e! to the (oo+-shelf

and per*hed there, loo+in' round her !ith interest$

Ho! "any ti"es have I told you not to !histle she said in a stern voi*e$

4n*le ;o*elyn, lost in his (oo+s, *a"e out of the" !ith a start$ He had never even

seen the parrot and had for'otten that one had *o"e to the house$ He sat pu))lin'

his head to +no! !here su*h an e#traordinary spee*h *a"e fro"$

8i+i said nothin' "ore for a ti"e$ 4n*le ;o*elyn *a"e to the *on*lusion that he had

(een "ista+en, and he dropped his head to study his papers on*e "ore$

.heres your hand+er*hief as+ed 8i+i sternly$

4n*le ;o*elyn felt sure that his !ife !as so"e!here in the roo", for 8i+i i"itated

Aunt %ollys voi*e very !ell$ He 'roped in his po*+et for a hand+er*hief$

Good (oy, said the parrot$ 6ont for'et to !ipe your feet no!$

Theyre not dirty, %olly, said 4n*le ;o*elyn in surprise, thin+in' that he !as

spea+in' to his !ife$ He !as pu))led and annoyed$ Aunt %olly did not usually *o"eand distur( hi" li+e this (y 'ivin' hi" unne*essary orders$ He turned round to tell

her to 'o, (ut *ould not see her$

8i+i 'ave a hollo! *ou'h, e#a*tly li+e ;o-;os$ 4n*le ;o*elyn, no! *ertain that the

(la*+ "an !as also in the roo", felt "ost irrita(le$ .hy "ust everyone !al+ in and

distur( hi" today 9eally, it !as un(eara(le$

Get out, he said, thin+in' that he !as spea+in' to ;o-;o$ I" (usy$

Oh, you nau'hty (oy, said the parrot, in a reprovin' tone$ Then it *ou'hed a'ain,

and 'ave a realisti* snee)e$ Then, for a !hile, there !as *o"plete silen*e$

4n*le ;o*elyn settled do!n a'ain, for'ettin' all a(out the interruption at on*e$ 8i+i

did not li+e (ein' i'nored li+e that$ he <e! fro" the (oo+-shelf on to 4n*le

;o*elyns 'rey head, 'ivin' one of her rail!ay-en'ine s*rea"s as she did so$

%oor 4n*le ;o*elyn leapt to his feet, *lut*hed at his head, dislod'ed 8i+i, and 'ave a

yell that (rou'ht Aunt %olly into the roo" at on*e$ 8i+i sailed out of the !indo!,

"a+in' a *a*+lin' sound that sounded 0ust li+e lau'hter$



.hats the "atter, ;o*elyn as+ed Aunt %olly alar"ed$

4n*le ;o*elyn !as in a ra'e$ %eople have (een in and out of this roo" all the

"ornin', tellin' "e to !ipe "y feet and not to !histle, and so"e(ody thre!

so"ethin' at "y head, he fu"ed$

Oh that !as only 8i+i, said Aunt %olly, (e'innin' to s"ile$

Only 8i+i And !ho on earth is 8i+i shouted 4n*le ;o*elyn, furious at seein' his

!ife s"ile at his trou(les instead of sy"pathisin' !ith the"$

The parrot, said Aunt %olly$ The (oys parrot, you +no!$

4n*le ;o*elyn had for'otten all a(out ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann$ He stared at his !ife as if

she had 'one "ad$

.hat (oy and !hat parrot he de"anded$ Have you 'one *ra)y, %olly

Oh dear, si'hed Aunt %olly$ Ho! you do for'et thin's, ;o*elyn he re"inded hi" of

the t!o *hildren !ho had *o"e for the holidays, and e#plained a(out 8i+i$ hes the

*leverest parrot you ever sa!, said Aunt %olly, !ho had no! *o"pletely lost her

heart to 8i+i$

.ell, said 4n*le ;o*elyn 'ri"ly, all I *an say is that, if that parrot is as *lever as you

thin+ it is, it !ill +eep out of "y !ay (e*ause I shall thro! all "y paper!ei'hts at it

if it *o"es in here a'ain$

Aunt %olly, thin+in' of her hus(ands very (ad ai" !henever he thre! anythin',

'ave a 'lan*e at the !indo!$ he thou'ht she had (etter +eep it *losed, or she

"i'ht 5nd everythin' in the roo" s"ashed (y paper-!ei'hts one day$ 6ear, dear,

!hat annoyin' thin's did happen, to (e sure If it !asnt *hildren *la"ourin' for

"ore to eat, it !as ;o-;o !orryin' her and if it !asnt ;o-;o, it !as the parrot and if

it !asnt the parrot, it !as 4n*le ;o*elyn threatenin' to thro! his paper-!ei'hts

a(out$ Aunt %olly *losed the !indo! 5r"ly, !ent out of the roo", and shut the door

sharply$

6ont sla" the door, *a"e 8i+is voi*e fro" the passa'e$ And ho! "any ti"es

have In(sp$n(sp$n(sp$

But for on*e Aunt %olly had no +ind !ord for 8i+i$ 7oure a (ad (ird, she said sternly

to the parrot$ A ery (ad (ird$

8i+i sailed do!n the passa'e !ith an indi'nant s*ree*h$ he !ould 5nd ;a*+$ ;a*+

!as al!ays 'ood and +ind to her$ .here !as ;a*+

;a*+ !as not !ith the others$ He had 'one !ith his 5eld-'lasses to the top of the

*li2, and !as lyin' on his (a*+, loo+in' !ith pleasure at the (irds soarin' a(ove his

head$ 8i+i landed on his "iddle and "ade hi" 0u"p$



Oh its you, 8i+i$ Be *areful !ith your *la!s, for 'oodness sa+e$ Ive only 'ot "y

(athin'-suit on$ No! +eep /uiet, or youll fri'hten a!ay the (irds$ Ive already seen

5ve di2erent +inds of 'ulls today$

;a*+ 'ot tired of lyin' on his (a*+ at last$ He sat up, pushed 8i+i o2 his "iddle, and

(lin+ed round$ He put his 5eld-'lasses to his eyes a'ain, and loo+ed out over thesea in the dire*tion of the Isle of Gloo"$ He had not seen it properly yet$

But today, thou'h "ost of the distant hills (ehind hi" !ere lost in the heat-ha)e,

for so"e reason or other the island *ould (e /uite plainly seen, 0uttin' up fro" the

sea to the !est$ Gosh said ;a*+, in surprise$ Theres that "ystery island that ;o-;o

says is a (ad island$ Ho! *learly it *an (e seen today I *an see hills 0uttin' up and I

*an even see the !aves dashin' spray over the ro*+s that 'o round it

;a*+ *ould not see any (irds on the island, for his 'lasses !ere not stron' enou'h to

sho! hi" anythin' "ore than the island itself and its hills$ But the (oy felt *ertain

that it !as full of (irds$

9are (irds, he said to hi"self$ Birds that people dont +no! any "ore$ Birds that

"i'ht nest there undistur(ed year after year, and (e as ta"e as *ats$ Golly, I !ish I

*ould 'o there$ .hat a tireso"e nuisan*e ;o-;o is not to let us use his (oat .e

*ould 'et to the island in it /uite easily if the sea !as as *al" as it is today$ Blo! ;o-

;o

The (oy s!ept his 'lasses around the 0a''ed *oast, and then stared hard in surprise

at so"ethin'$ It *ouldnt (e so"e(ody ro!in' a (oat alon' the *oast, a(out a "ile

or so a!ay$ urely it *ouldnt$ ;o-;o had said that no(ody (ut hi"self had a (oat for

"iles and "iles and Aunt %olly had said that no(ody lived any!here near Cra''y-

Tops at all not nearer than si# or seven "iles, any!ay$

And yet theres so"eone in a (oat out there on the sea to the !est of this *li2, said

;a*+, pu))led$ .ho is it I suppose it "ust (e ;o-;o$

The "an in the (oat !as too far a!ay to "a+e out$ It "i'ht (e ;o-;o and it "i'ht

not$ ;a*+ *a"e to the *on*lusion that it "ust (e$ He 'lan*ed at the sun$ It !as

pretty hi'h, so it "ust (e dinner-ti"e$ Hed 'o (a*+, and on the !ay he !ould loo+

and see if ;o-;os (oat !as tied up at the usual pla*e$ If it !as 'one, then the "an in

the (oat "ust (e ;o-;o$

But the (oat !as not 'one$ It !as in its usual pla*e, 5r"ly tied to its post, ro*+in''ently in the little har(our near the house$ And there !as ;o-;o, too, *olle*tin'

drift!ood fro" the (ea*h for the +it*hen 5re$ Then there "ust (e so"eone else not

far a!ay !ho had a (oat of his o!n$

;a*+ ran to tell the others$ They !ere surprised and pleased$ .ell 'o and 5nd out

!ho he is, and pal up !ith hi", and "ay(e hell ta+e us out 5shin' in the (oat, said



%hilip at on*e$ Good for you, Fre*+les$ 7our old 5eld-'lasses have found out

so"ethin' (esides (irds for you$

.ell 'o and see hi" to"orro!, said ;a*+$ .hat I really !ant is a *han*e to 'o out

to the Isle of Gloo" and see if there are any rare (irds there$ I 0ust feel I "ust 'o

there I really have 'ot a sort of hun*h a(out it$

.e !ont tell ;o-;o !eve seen so"eone else !ith a (oat, said 6inah$ Hed only try

to stop us$ He hates us doin' anythin' !e li+e$

o nothin' !as said to ;o-;o or to Aunt %olly a(out the stran'er in the (oat$ The ne#t

day they !ould 5nd hi" and tal+ to hi"$

But so"ethin' !as to happen (efore the ne#t day *a"e$

Chapter 1M

NIGHT A6ENT49E

That ni'ht ;a*+ *ould not sleep$ The "oon !as full and shone in at his !indo!$ The

"oonli'ht fell on to his fa*e and he lay there, starin' at the (i' silvery "oon,

thin+in' of the 'ulls he had seen 'lidin' and *ir*lin' on the !ind, and the (i' (la*+

*or"orants that stood on the ro*+s, their (ea+s !ide open as they di'ested the 5sh

they had *au'ht$

He re"e"(ered the Isle of Gloo", as he had seen it that "ornin'$ It loo+ed

"ysterious and e#*itin' so far a!ay, and lonely and desolate$ 7et people had lived

there on*e$ .hy did no-one live there no! .as it so desolate that no-one *ould

"a+e a livin' there .hat !as it li+e

I !onder if I *ould possi(ly see it toni'ht, in the li'ht of the full "oon, thou'ht ;a*+$

He slipped o2 the "attress !ithout !a+in' %hilip, and !ent to the !indo!$ He

stared out$

The sea !as silvery (ri'ht in the "oonli'ht$ .here ro*+s *ast shado!s, deep (la*+pat*hes lay on the sea$ The !aters !ere *al"er than usual, and the !ind had

dropped$ Only a "ur"ur *a"e up to ;a*+ as he stood at the !indo!$

Then he stared in surprise$ A sailin'-(oat !as *o"in' over the !ater$ It !as still a

'ood !ay out, (ut it !as "a+in' for the shore$ .hose (oat !as it ;a*+ strained his

eyes (ut *ould not "a+e out$ A sailin'-(oat "a+in' for Cra''y-Tops in the "iddle of

the ni'ht It !as /ueer$



Ill !a+e Tufty, he thou'ht, and !ent to the "attress$ Tufty %hilip .a+e up and

*o"e to the !indo!$

In half a "inute %hilip !as !ide a!a+e, leanin' out of the narro! !indo! !ith ;a*+$

He too sa! the sailin'-(oat, and 'ave a lo! !histle that a!o+e 8i+i and (rou'ht her

to ;a*+s shoulder in surprise$

Is it ;o-;o in the (oat !ondered %hilip$ I *ant tell if its his (oat or not fro" here$

Any!ay, lets 'et do!n to the shore and !at*h it *o"e in, Fre*+les$ Co"e on$ I"

surprised that ;o-;o should (e out at ni'ht, !hen hes al!ays tellin' us a(out

ls/uothin's that !ander around the *li2 in the dar+ (ut pro(a(ly it isnt ;o-;o$

They put on shorts and 0erseys, and their ru((er shoes, and "ade their !ay do!n

the spiral stair$ They !ere soon *li"(in' do!n the steep *li2 path$ 4nder the "oon

the sailin'-(oat *a"e steadily in, the ni'ht !ind (ehind it$

It is ;o-;os (oat, said %hilip at last$ .e *an see it plainly no!$ And theres ;o-;o in it$

Hes alone, (ut hes 'ot a *ar'o of so"e sort$

&ay(e hes (een 5shin', said ;a*+$ :ets 'ive hi" a fri'ht, %hilip$

The (oys *rept up to !here the (oat !as headin'$ ;o-;o !as furlin' the sail$ Then he

(e'an to ro! to the shore, to!ards the little har(our !here he al!ays tied up his

(oat$ The (oys *rou*hed do!n (ehind a ro*+$ ;o-;o (rou'ht the (i' (oat safely in,

and then tied the rope to the post$ He turned to pull out !hatever *ar'o he had and

at that very "o"ent the (oys 0u"ped out at hi", 'ivin' 9ed Indian !hoops and

ro*+in' the (oat violently$

;o-;o !as ta+en una!ares, lost his (alan*e and fell into the !ater, 'oin' over(oard!ith a terri5* splash$ He *a"e up at on*e, his fa*e 'lea"in' in the "oonli'ht$ The

(oys did not li+e the e#pression on it$ ;o-;o *li"(ed out of the !ater, shoo+ hi"self

li+e a do', and pi*+ed up a thi*+ rope-end$

Golly hes 'oin' to li*+ us, said ;a*+ to %hilip$ Co"e on !e "ust run for it$

But the !ay to the house !as (arred (y the (i' po!erful (ody of the (la*+ "an,

s!in'in' his rope-end$

No! Ill sho! you !hat happens to (oys !ho *o"e spyin' around at ni'ht, he said

(et!een his teeth$ ;a*+ tried to dod'e (y, (ut ;o-;o *au'ht hold of hi"$ He s!un'

the rope-end into the air and ;a*+ 'ave a yell$ At the sa"e "o"ent %hilip *har'ed

;o-;o full in the "iddle, and the (la*+ "an 'asped for (reath, and let 'o of ;a*+$ The

(oys sped o2 over the (ea*h at on*e, headin' a!ay fro" the steep *li2 path that

led to the house$ ;o-;o !as after the" i""ediately$

The tides *o"in' in, 'asped ;a*+, as he felt !ater runnin' over his an+les$ .e

"ust turn (a*+$ .ell (e *au'ht (y the tide and pounded a'ainst the ro*+s$



.e *ant turn (a*+$ .e shall (e li*+ed (la*+ and (lue (y ;o-;o, panted %hilip$ ;a*+

"a+e for that *ave$ .e *an perhaps *reep up that se*ret passa'e$ .e si"ply "ust$

I really dont +no! !hat ;o-;o "i'htnt do if he !as in a ra'e$ He "i'ht even +ill us$

Juite terri5ed no!, the (oys <oundered into the *ave, the !aves runnin' round

their an+les$ ;o-;o *a"e splashin' (ehind the"$ Ah he had 'ot those (oys no! .aittill he had done !ith the" They !ouldnt leave their (eds a'ain at ni'ht

The (oys found the hole in the <oor of the *ave they !ere loo+in' for and

disappeared do!n it into the dar+ness of the se*ret passa'e$ They heard ;o-;o

(reathin' heavily outside in the upper *ave$ They hoped and prayed he !ould not

slip do!n the hole too$

He didnt$ He stood outside (y the entran*e, !aitin' for the (oys to *o"e out$ He

had no idea there !as a se*ret passa'e there$ He stood, pantin' heavily, the rope-

end in his hand$ A (i' !ave *overed his +nees$ ;o-;o "uttered so"ethin'$ The tide

!as *o"in' in rapidly$ If those (oys didnt *o"e out i""ediately they !ould (e

trapped there for the ni'ht$

Another !ave ran up, al"ost as hi'h as the (la*+ "ans !aist$ It !as su*h a

po!erful !ave that ;o-;o at on*e left the *ave entran*e and tried to "a+e his !ay

(a*+ a*ross the (ea*h$ He *ould not ris+ (ein' dashed to pie*es a'ainst the *li2 (y

the in*o"in' tide$

Those (oys *an spend the ni'ht in the *aves, and Ill deal !ith the" to"orro!

"ornin' early, thou'ht ;o-;o 'ri"ly$ As soon as the tide 'oes do!n in the "ornin'

Ill (e there and theyll (e "i'hty sorry for the"selves !hen Ive 5nished !ith the"$

But the (oys !ere not shiverin' inside the *ave$ They !ere on*e "ore *li"(in' up

the se*ret passa'e, this ti"e in *o"plete dar+ness$ The passa'e !as terrifyin'

enou'h (ut not nearly so alar"in' as ;o-;o$

They *a"e at last to the trap-door and pushed it open$ They *la"(ered out on to

the ro*+y *ellar <oor, and shut the trap-door$

Ta+e "y hand, said ;a*+, shiverin' as "u*h !ith *old as !ith fri'ht$ .ell "a+e our

!ay to!ards the door as (est !e *an$ Co"e on$ 7ou +no! the dire*tion, dont you I

dont$

%hilip thou'ht he did, (ut he found that he didnt$ It too+ the (oys so"e ti"e to 5ndthe *ellar door$ They felt all round the ro*+y !alls of the *ellar, and at lon' last, after

fallin' over (o#es of all +inds, they *a"e to the door$ It !as not lo*+ed$ Than+

'oodness they had ta+en a!ay the +ey$ %hilip pushed at the door and it opened$

The pile of (o#es on the other side fell over !ith a terri5* *rash that e*hoed all

round the *ellar$ The (oys stood listenin' to see if anyone !ould hear and *o"e$



But no(ody did$ They piled up the (o#es a'ain as (est they *ould and *rept up the

*ellar steps and into the "oonlit +it*hen$

They !ondered !here ;o-;o !as$ .as he still !aitin' for the" at the entran*e to the

*aves

;o-;o !as not$ He had "ade fast his (oat, re"oved several thin's fro" it, and then

had *li"(ed the *li2 path to the house$ He had 'one to his (edroo", 0ust o2 the

+it*hen, 'loatin' over the thou'ht of the t!o (oys shiverin' in the *aves, !hen a

terri5* noise *a"e to his ears$

It !as the pile of (o#es overturnin' do!n in the *ellar, (ut ;o-;o did not +no! that$

He stood in his (edroo", rooted to the 'round$ .hat !as that noise He did not

dare to 'o and 5nd out$ If he had, he !ould have seen t!o 5'ures stealin' throu'h

the "oonlit +it*hen to!ards the hall$ He !ould have seen the" s*urryin' up the

stairs as /uietly as "i*e$

oon the (oys !ere on their "attress, 'lad to (e there safe and sound$ They

*hu*+led !hen they thou'ht of ;o-;o !aitin' in vain for the"$ And, do!n in his

(edroo", ;o-;o *hu*+led to thin+ of ho! he !ould !ait outside the *ave the ne#t

"ornin', rope-end in hand, and 'ive those t!o (oys a 'ood hidin'$

They all fell asleep at last$

;o-;o !as up 5rst, pilin' drift!ood on the +it*hen 5re$ He did his 0o(s, and then tied

the rope-end round his !aist$ It !as ti"e he !ent do!n to the (ea*h and *au'ht

those (oys$ The tide !ould soon (e do!n lo! enou'h for the" to *o"e out$

Then he stopped still in the 'reatest astonish"ent for into the +it*hen, as (old as(rass, *a"e all four *hildren, *hatterin' a!ay loudly$

.hats for (rea+fast Golly, I" hun'ry$

6id you have a 'ood ni'ht, (oys .e did$

Fine$ .e "ust have slept all the ni'ht throu'h$ These !ords !ere fro" %hilip$ ;a*+

0oined in, deli'hted to see the a"a)e"ent and !onder on ;o-;os (la*+ fa*e$ 7es, !e

slept li+e lo's$ Even if 8i+i had done her i"itation of a rail!ay e#press, I dont thin+

!ed have !a+ed up$

.hats for (rea+fast, ;o-;o as+ed 6inah$ Both the 'irls +ne! a(out the (oys

adventure the ni'ht (efore, and !ere enterin' into the fun of pu))lin' ;o-;o$ He

evidently still thou'ht the (oys !ere do!n in the *aves$

7ou t!o (oys (een asleep in your roo" all ni'ht As+ed ;o-;o at last, hardly a(le to

(elieve his eyes and ears$

.here else should !e sleep aid %hilip i"pudently$ On the Isle of Gloo"



;o-;o turned a!ay, pu))led and ta+en a(a*+$ It *ouldnt have (een these t!o (oys

last ni'ht$ It !as true he had not seen their fa*es *learly, (ut he had felt *ertain

they !ere %hilip and ;a*+$ But no! that !as plainly i"possi(le$ No-one *ould have

'ot out of those *aves at hi'h tide and yet here !ere the (oys$ It !as distur(in' and

pu))lin'$ ;o-;o didnt li+e it$

Ill 'o do!n to those *aves no! and !at*h to see !ho *o"es out, he thou'ht at

last$ Then Ill +no! !ho it !as spyin' on "e last ni'ht$

o do!n he !ent (ut thou'h he !at*hed for t!o hours, no(ody *a"e fro" the

*aves$ .hi*h !as not very surprisin', (e*ause there !as no(ody there$

;o-;o 0ust si"ply *ant understand it, said ;a*+, 'rinnin', as he !at*hed the (la*+

"an fro" the *li2 path$ .hat a 'ood thin' !e didnt tell anyone a(out the se*ret

passa'e It *a"e in "i'hty useful last ni'ht$

Hell thin+ you and %hilip !ere t!o of the ls/uothin's hes al!ays tryin' to

fri'hten us !ith, said 6inah$ illy old ;o-;o He "ust thin+ !e are (a(ies to (e

fri'htened of anythin' he !ould say$

.hat are !e 'oin' to do today !hen !eve 5nished our 0o(s as+ed :u*y-Ann,

polishin' the la"p she had (een *leanin'$ Its su*h a 5ne day$ Cant !e 'o for a

pi*ni* !al+ over the *li2 and alon' the *oast

Oh yes and !ell see if !e *an 5nd that "an I sa! in a (oat yesterday, said ;a*+,

re"e"(erin'$ That !ould (e 5ne$ &ay(e hell let us 'o in his (oat$ 6inah, as+ your

Aunt %olly if !e *an ta+e our dinner !ith us$

Aunt %olly said yes, and in a(out half an hour they set o2, passin' ;o-;o on the !ay$He !as no! !or+in' in his allot"ent, over the ed'e of the *li2, (ehind the house$

6id you have a 'ood ni'ht, ;o-;o yelled %hilip$ 6id you sleep all ni'ht lon', li+e a

'ood (oy

;o-;o s*o!led and "ade a threatenin' noise$ 8i+i i"itated hi", and he (ent do!n to

pi*+ up a stone to thro! at her$

Nau'hty (oy s*ree*hed 8i+i, <yin' hi'h into the air$ Nau'hty, nau'hty (oy Go to

(ed at on*e, nau'hty (oy

Chapter 11

BI:: &4G



.herea(outs did you see the stran'e (oat, Fre*+les as+ed %hilip, as they !ent

over the *li2s$

Over there, (eyond those ro*+s that 0ut out, said ;a*+, pointin'$ Juite a (i' (oat,

really$ I !onder !here its +ept !hen its not in use$ o"e(ody "ust live fairly near

it (ut I *ouldnt see any houses$

There arent any proper houses near, said %hilip$ %eople used to live a(out here

a'es a'o, (ut there !as 5'htin' and (urnin', and no! there are only ruined pla*es$

But there "i'ht (e a tu"(ledo!n sha*+ of so"e sort, all ri'ht for a "an !ho !ants

a lonely +ind of holiday$

They !al+ed on over the *li2s, 8i+i sailin' up into the air every no! and a'ain to

0oin a surprised 'ull, and "a+in' noises e#a*tly li+e the sea-(irds, (ut "ore

pier*in'$

%hilip *olle*ted a lar'e and unusual *aterpillar fro" a (ush, "u*h to 6inahs

dis"ay, and put a li)ard into his po*+et$ After that 6inah !al+ed a 'ood distan*e

fro" hi", and even :u*y-Ann !as a (it !ary$ :u*y-Ann did not "ind live *reatures

as 6inah did, (ut she !asnt parti*ularly an#ious to (e as+ed to *arry li)ards or

*aterpillars, as she "i'ht /uite !ell (e re/uested to do if %hilip de*ided to ta+e

ho"e so"e other *reature that, if put in his po*+et, "i'ht eat the *aterpillar or

li)ard already there

They all !al+ed on happily, en0oyin' the rou'h sea (ree)e, the salty s"ell of the

sea, and the sound of the !aves a'ainst the ro*+s (elo!$ The 'rass !as sprin'y

(eneath their feet, and the air !as full of 'lidin' (irds$ This !as a lovely holiday,

lovely, lovely

They *a"e to a 0uttin' part of the *li2 and !al+ed out al"ost to the ed'e$ I *ant

see si'ns of any (oat on the !ater at all, said ;a*+$

7oure sure you didnt i"a'ine it said %hilip$ Its funny theres not a thin' to (e

seen today a (oat is not an easy thin' to hide$

Theres a sort of *ove do!n there, said :u*y-Ann, pointin' to !here the *li2 turned

in a little, and there !as a s"all (ea*h of shinin' sand$ :ets 'o do!n and pi*ni*

there, shall !e .e *an (athe 5rst$ Its a!fully !indy up here I *an hardly 'et "y

(reath to tal+$

They (e'an to *li"( do!n the steep and ro*+y *li2$ The (oys !ent 5rst and the 'irls

follo!ed, slippin' a little no! and a'ain$ But they !ere all 'ood *li"(ers, and

rea*hed the (otto" of the *li2 in safety$

Here it !as sheltered fro" the rushin' !ind and !as !ar" and /uiet$ The *hildren

slipped o2 their 0erseys and shorts and !ent into the !ater to (athe$ %hilip, !ho !as



a 'ood s!i""er, s!a" ri'ht out to so"e (la*+ ro*+s that stu*+ out fro" the !ater,

hi'h and for(iddin'$ He rea*hed the", and *li"(ed up to rest for a !hile$

And then he suddenly sa! a (oat, on the other side of the ro*+s There !as a <at

stret*h there, and on it, pulled up out of rea*h of the !aves, !as the (oat that ;a*+

had seen on the sea the day (efore$ No-one *ould possi(ly see the (oat unless he,li+e %hilip, happened to (e on those parti*ular ro*+s, for, fro" the shore, the hi'h

ro*+s hid the <at stret*h fa*in' sea!ards, !here the (oat lay$

.he! !histled %hilip in surprise$ He 'ot up and !ent over to the (oat$ It !as a 5ne

(oat !ith a sail, and !as al"ost as (i' as ;o- ;os$ It !as *alled The Al(atross$ There

!ere t!o pairs of oars in it$

.ell said %hilip, surprised$ .hat a /ueer pla*e to +eep a (oat ri'ht out here on

these ro*+s .hoever o!ns it !ould have to s!i" out !henever he !anted to 'et it$

Funny

He shouted to the others$ The (oats here on these ro*+s$ Co"e and see it$

oon all the *hildren !ere e#a"inin' the (oat$ Thats the one I sa!, said ;a*+$ But

!heres the o!ner Theres no si'n of hi" any!here$

.ell have our lun*h and then !ell have a 'ood loo+-see, said %hilip$ Co"e on, 'irls

(a*+ to the shore !ell 'o$ Then !ell separate after our pi*ni* and hunt round

properly for the "an !ho o!ns this (oat$

They s!a" (a*+ to the shore, too+ o2 their !et thin's, set the" out to dry in the

sun and put on their dry *lothes$ Then they sat do!n to en0oy the sand!i*hes,

*ho*olate and fruit that Aunt %olly had prepared for the"$ They lolled in the sun,tired !ith their s!i", hun'ry and thirsty, en0oyin' the food i""ensely$

Foods 'or'eous !hen youre really hun'ry, said :u*y-Ann, ta+in' a hu'e (ite at

her sand!i*h$

I al!ays a" hun'ry, said ;a*+$ hut up, 8i+i thats the (est part of "y apple youve

pe*+ed$ Ive 'ot so"e sun<o!er seeds for you in "y po*+et$ Cant you !ait

.hat a pity, !hat a pity said 8i+i, i"itatin' Aunt %olly !hen so"ethin' !ent

!ron'$ .hat a pity, !hat a pity, !hat an(sp$n(sp$n(sp$

Oh, stop her, said 6inah, !ho +ne! that the parrot !as /uite *apa(le of repeatin' a

(rand-ne! senten*e a hundred ti"es !ithout stoppin'$ Here, 8i+i have a (ite of "y

apple, do$

That stopped 8i+i, and she ran her (ea+ into the apple in deli'ht, pe*+in' out a (it

that +ept her (usy for so"e ti"e$



A /uarrel nearly (le! up (et!een 6inah and %hilip over the lar'e *aterpillar !hi*h

"ade its !ay out of the (oys po*+et, over the sand, to!ards 6inah$ he 'ave a

shrie+, and !as a(out to hurl a lar'e shell at %hilip !hen ;a*+ pi*+ed up the

*aterpillar and put it (a*+ into %hilips po*+et$

No har" done, 6inah, he said$ 8eep your hair on 6ont lets start a free 5'ht no!$:ets have a pea*eful day$

They 5nished up every *ru"( of the lun*h$ The 'ulls !ont 'et "u*h, said %hilip

la)ily, sha+in' out the papers, then foldin' the" up and puttin' the" into his

po*+et$ :oo+ at that youn' 'ull its as ta"e as anythin'$

I !ish I had "y *a"era here, said ;a*+ lon'in'ly, !at*hin' the enor"ous youn' 'ull

!al+in' very near$ I *ould 'et a "arvellous snap of hi"$ I havent ta+en any (ird

pi*tures yet$ I really "ust$ Ill 5nd "y *a"era to"orro!$

Co"e on, said 6inah, 0u"pin' up$ If !ere 'oin' to do a spot of "an-huntin', !ed

(etter (e'in$ I (et I 5nd the stran'e (oat"an 5rst$

They separated, ;a*+ and %hilip 'oin' one !ay and the 'irls 'oin' the other$ They

!al+ed on the sandy little (ea*h, +eepin' *lose to the ro*+y *li2s$ The 'irls found

that they *ould not 'et very far, (e*ause steep ro*+s (arred their !ay after a (it,

and they had to turn (a*+$

But the (oys "ana'ed to 'et past the pie*e of *li2 that 0utted out and sheltered the

little *ove they had (een pi*ni*+in' in$ On the other side of the *li2 !as another

*ove, !ith no (ea*h at all, "erely <attish ro*+s that shelved up!ards to the *li2$

The (oys *la"(ered over these ro*+s, e#a"inin' the *reatures in the pools as they

!ent$ %hilip added a sea-snail to the *olle*tion in his po*+et$

Theres a (rea+ in the *li2 0ust over there, said ;a*+$ :ets e#plore it$

They "ade their !ay to!ards the 'ap in the *li2$ It !as "u*h !ider than they

e#pe*ted !hen they 'ot there$ A strea" tri*+led over the ro*+s to!ards the sea,

runnin' do!n fro" so"e!here half-!ay up the *li2$

&ust (e sprin'-!ater, said ;a*+, and tasted it$ 7es, it is$ Hallo loo+, Tufty

%hilip loo+ed to !here ;a*+ pointed, and sa! <oatin' in a pool a *i'arette-end,

al"ost fallin' to pie*es$

o"eones (een here, and /uite re*ently too, said ;a*+, else the tide !ould have

*arried that *i'arette-end a!ay$ This is e#*itin'$

.ith the *i'arette-end as a proof of so"eones nearness, the (oys !ent on "ore

ea'erly still$ They *a"e to the !ide *ra*+ in the *li2 and there, a little !ay up, (uilt

*lose a'ainst the ro*+y slope, !as a tu"(ledo!n hut$ The (a*+ of it !as "ade of

the *li2 itself$ The roof had (een rou'hly "ended$ The !alls !ere fallin' to pie*es



here and there, and, in !inter, it !ould have (een /uite i"possi(le to live in it$ But

so"eone !as *ertainly livin' there no!, for outside, spread over a stunted (ush,

!as a shirt set out to dry$

:oo+, said ;a*+, in a !hisper$ Thats !here our (oat"an lives$ .hat a lovely hidie-

hole hes found

The (oys !ent /uietly up to the tu"(ledo!n hut$ It !as very, very old, and had

pro(a(ly on*e (elon'ed to a lonely 5sher"an$ A !histlin' *a"e fro" inside the hut$

6o !e +no*+ at the door said %hilip, !ith a nervous 'i''le$ But at that "o"ent

so"eone *a"e out of the open door!ay and *au'ht si'ht of the (oys$ He stood

'apin' in 'reat surprise$

The (oys stared (a*+ !ithout a !ord$ They rather li+ed the loo+ of the stran'er$ He

!ore shorts and a rou'h shirt, open at the ne*+$ He had a red, 0olly fa*e, t!in+lin'

eyes, and a head that !as (ald on the top, (ut had plenty of hair round the sides$

He !as tall and stron'-loo+in', and his *hin 0utted out (elo! his *lean-shaven

"outh$

Hallo, he said$ Co"in' visitin' Ho! ni*e

I sa! you out in your (oat yesterday, said ;a*+$ o !e *a"e to see if !e *ould 5nd

you$

ery friendly of you, said the "an$ And !ho are you

.ere fro" Cra''y-Tops, the house a(out a "ile and a half a!ay, said %hilip$ I dont

e#pe*t you +no! it$

7es, I do, said the "an une#pe*tedly$ But I thou'ht only 'ro!n-ups lived there a

"an and a !o"an and a (la*+ servant$

.ell, usually only 'ro!n-ups do live there, said %hilip$ But in the hols "y sister and

I *o"e there too, to stay !ith our Aunt %olly and 4n*le ;o*elyn$ And these hols t!o

friends of ours *a"e too$ This is one of the" ;a*+ Trent$ His sister :u*y-Ann is

so"e!here a(out$ I" %hilip &annerin' and "y sister is 6inah shes !ith :u*y-Ann$

I" Bill "u's, said the "an, s"ilin' at all this sudden infor"ation$ And I live here

alone$

Have you 0ust suddenly *o"e here as+ed ;a*+, in *uriosity$

Juite suddenly, said the "an$ ;ust an idea of "ine, you +no!$

Not "u*h to *o"e for here, said %hilip$ .hy did you *o"e

The "an hesitated for a "o"ent$ .ell, he said, I" a (ird-!at*her$ Interested in

(irds, you +no!$ And there are a 'reat "any unusual (irds here$



Oh *ried ;a*+, in the 'reatest deli'ht$ 6o you li+e (irds too I" "ad on the"$

Al!ays have (een$ Ive seen *ro!ds here that Ive only seen in (oo+s (efore$

And then the (oy plun'ed into a list of the unusual (irds he had seen, "a+in' %hilip

ya!n$ Bill "u's listened, (ut did not say very "u*h$ He see"ed a"used at ;a*+s

enthusias"$

.hat parti*ular (ird did you hope to see here, &r$ "u's as+ed ;a*+, stoppin' at

last$

Bill "u's see"ed to *onsider$ .ell, he said, I rather hoped I "i'ht see a Great

Au+$

;a*+ loo+ed at hi" in astonished silen*e that *han'ed to a!e$ The Great Au+ he

said, in a voi*e "i#ed !ith surprise and !onder$ But (ut isnt it e#tin*t urely there

are no Great Au+s left no! Golly did you really thin+ you "i'ht see one

7ou never +no!, said Bill "u's$ There "i'ht (e one or t!o left so"e!here andthin+ !hat a s*oop it !ould (e to dis*over the"

;a*+ !ent (ri*+-red !ith e#*ite"ent$ He loo+ed out over the sea to!ards the !est,

!here the Isle of Gloo" lay hidden in a ha)e$

I (et you thou'ht there "i'ht (e a *han*e of the" on a desolate island li+e that, he

said, pointin' to the !est$ 7ou +no! the Isle of Gloo"$ 7ouve heard a(out it, I

e#pe*t$

7es, I have, said Bill "u's$ I *ertainly have$ Id li+e to 'o there$ But its i"possi(le,

I (elieve$

.ould you ta+e us out in your (oat so"eti"es as+ed %hilip$ ;o-;o, our (la*+

servant, has a 5ne (oat, (ut he !ont let us use it, and !ed love to 'o 5shin'

so"eti"es, and sailin' too$ 6o you thin+ its a!ful *hee+ to as+ you But I e#pe*t

you 5nd it a (it lonely here, dont you

o"eti"es, said Bill "u's$ 7es, !ell 'o 5shin' and sailin' to'ether you and your

sisters too$ It !ould (e fun$ .ell see ho! near !e *an 'o to the Isle of Gloo" too,

shall !e

The t!o (oys !ere thrilled$ At last they *ould sail a (oat$ .hat a sell for old ;o-;o

They !ent o2 to *all the 'irls$

Hi, 6inah Hi, :u*y-Ann yelled ;a*+$ Co"e and (e introdu*ed to our ne! friend Bill

"u's



Chapter 1=

A T9EAT AN6 A 49%9IE FO9 ;O-;O

Bill "u's proved to (e a 5ne friend$ He !as a 0olly fello!, al!ays ready for a 0o+e,patient !ith 8i+i, and even "ore patient !ith %hilips ever-*han'in' *olle*tion of

/ueer pets$ He did not even say anythin' !hen %hilips latest possession, an e#tra-

lar'e spider, ran up the le' of his shorts$ He "erely put his hand up, too+ hold of

the !ri''lin' spider, and deposited it on %hilips +nee$

6inah, of *ourse, !as nearly in hysteri*s, (ut "er*ifully the spider de*ided that

*aptivity !as (orin', ran into a ro*+ *revi*e and disappeared$

The *hildren visited Bill "u's nearly every day$ They !ent 5shin' in his (oat and

(rou'ht ho"e "arvellous *at*hes that "ade ;o-;os "outh fall open in a"a)e"ent$

Bill sho!ed the" ho! to sail the (oat too, and soon the four *hildren *ould "ana'eit perfe*tly !ell the"selves$ It !as 'reat fun sailin' a(out in a 'ood stron' (ree)e$

Al"ost as fast as a "otor-(oat, said %hilip in 'lee$ Bill, I a" 'lad !e found you$

To ;a*+s disappoint"ent Bill "u's did not see" to !ant to tal+ endlessly a(out

(irds, nor did he !ant to 'o o2 !ith ;a*+ and !at*h the (irds on the *li2s or on the

sea$ He !as /uite !illin' to listen to ;a*+ ravin' a(out (irds, thou'h, and produ*ed

"any 5ne ne! (ird (oo+s for hi", !hi*h he said ;a*+ *ould +eep for hi"self$

But theyre ne!, protested ;a*+$ :oo+, the pa'es of this one havent even (een *ut

youve not read the" yourself, sir$ 7ou read the" 5rst$

No, you *an have the", said Bill "u's, li'htin' his *i'arette$ Theres a (it a(out

the Great Au+ in one of the"$ I" afraid !e shall never 5nd that (ird after all$ No-

one has seen it for a(out a hundred years$

It "i'ht (e on the Isle of Gloo" or on so"e e/ually deserted, desolate island, said

;a*+ hopefully$ I do !ish !e *ould 'o there and see$ I (et there !ould (e thousands

of fri'htfully ta"e (irds there, sir$

This eternal tal+ a(out (irds al!ays (ored 6inah$ he *han'ed the su(0e*t$

7ou should have seen ;o-;os fa*e !hen !e (rou'ht in our *at*h of 5sh yesterday,she said, !ith a 'rin$ He said, ls/uo7ou never *au'ht those fro" the ro*+s$ 7ouve

(een out in a (oat$n(sp

7ou didnt tell hi" you had said Bill "u's at on*e$ 6inah shoo+ her head$

No, she said$ Hed try to spoil our pleasure if he +ne! !e used your (oat$



6o your un*le and aunt +no! youve "et "e as+ed Bill$ 6inah shoo+ her head

a'ain$

.hy she as+ed$ 6ont you !ant the" to +no! .hat does it "atter !hether they

do or not

.ell, said Bill "u's, s*rat*hin' the (ald top of his head, I *a"e here to (e alone

and to !at*h the (irds and I dont !ant people *o"in' round spoilin' thin's for "e$

I dont "ind you *hildren, of *ourse$ 7oure fun$

Bill "u's lived all alone in the tu"(ledo!n hut$ He had a *o"forta(le *ar, !hi*h

he +ept under a tarpaulin at the top of the *li2, in as sheltered a pla*e as possi(le$

He !ent into the nearest to!n to do his shoppin' !henever he !anted to$ He had

(rou'ht a "attress and other thin's to the hut, to "a+e it as *o"forta(le as he

*ould$

The *hildren !ere thrilled !hen they +ne! he$ had a *ar as !ell as a (oat$ They

(e''ed hi" to ta+e the" out in it ne#t ti"e he !ent$

I !ant to (uy a tor*h, said ;a*+$ 7ou re"e"(er that /ueer se*ret passa'e !e told

you a(out, Bill .ell, its di3*ult to 'o up it *arryin' a *andle a tor*h !ould (e

"u*h handier$ I *ould (uy one if youd ta+e "e in your *ar$

Id li+e one too, said %hilip$ And, ;a*+ you said you !anted so"e *a"era 5l",

(e*ause youd left yours (ehind at &r$ 9oys$ 7ou *ant ta+e photo'raphs of (irds

unless !e 'et so"e$ 7ou *ould 'et that too$

The 'irls !anted thin's as !ell, so Bill "u's a'reed to ta+e the" the ne#t day$

They all *ro!ded into the *ar in e#*ite"ent the follo!in' "ornin'$

;o-;os 'oin' into the to!n as !ell today, said 6inah, !ith a 'i''le$ It !ould (e

funny if !e sa! hi", !ouldnt it He !ould 'et a surprise$

Bill "u's *ar !as really a (eauty$ The (oys, !ho +ne! a(out *ars, e#a"ined it in

deli'ht$

Its ne!, said ;a*+$ This years, and a 0olly fast one$ Bill, are you very ri*h This *ar

"ust have *ost a lot of "oney$ 7ou "ust (e a!fully !ell-o2$

Not very, said Bill, !ith a 'rin$ No! o2 !e 'o$

And o2 they !ent, *ruisin' very s!iftly, on*e they left the (ad *oast road (ehind$

The *ar !as !ell-sprun', and see"ed to sur'e alon'$

Golly, isnt it di2erent fro" Aunt %ollys old *ar that ;o-;o drives said 6inah,

en0oyin' herself$ It !ont ta+e us any ti"e to 'et to the to!n$



They !ere very soon there$ Bill "u's par+ed the *ar, and then !ent o2 (y hi"self,

after arran'in' !ith the *hildren to "eet the" for lun*h at a very 'rand hotel$

I !onder !here hes 'one, said ;a*+, starin' after hi"$ .e "i'ht 0ust as !ell have

+ept all to'ether$ I !anted to 'o to that stu2ed-ani"al shop !ith hi", and see so"e

of the stu2ed (irds there$

.ell, you *ould see he didnt !ant us, said 6inah, !ho !as disappointed too$ he

!as very fond of Bill "u's no! and had saved up so"e "oney to (uy hi" an i*e-

*rea"$ I e#pe*t he has 'ot (usiness of his o!n to do$

.hat is his (usiness as+ed :u*y-Ann$ He "ust do so"ethin' (esides (ird-

!at*hin', I should thin+$ Not that he does "u*h of that, no! that he +no!s us$

He never said !hat his !or+ !as, said ;a*+$ Any!ay, !hy should he Hes not li+e

us, al!ays !antin' to (lurt out everythin'$ Gro!n-ups are di2erent$ Co"e on lets

5nd a shop that sells tor*hes$

They found one that had e#tre"ely ni*e po*+et tor*hes, s"all and neat$ The (ea"

!as stron', and the (oys *ould !ell i"a'ine ho! the dar+ se*ret passa'e !ould (e

li'hted up, on*e they turned on their tor*hes$ They ea*h (ou'ht a tor*h, the 'irls

too$

Then !e neednt li'ht our (edroo" *andles at ni'ht, said 6inah$ .e *an use our

tor*hes$

They !ent to (uy rolls of 5l" to 5t ;a*+s *a"era$ They (ou'ht s!eets and (is*uits,

and a s"all (ottle of stron'-s"ellin' s*ent for Aunt %olly$

No! !ed (etter 'et so"e sun<o!er seeds for 8i+i, said ;a*+$ 8i+i 'ave a s/ua!+$

he !as on ;a*+s shoulder as usual, (ehavin' very !ell for on*e$ Every passer(y

stared at her in surprise, of *ourse, and the parrot en0oyed this very "u*h$ But,

e#*ept for sternly tellin' a surprised errand-(oy to stop !histlin' at on*e, 8i+i hardly

said a !ord$ he !as pleased !ith the sun<o!er seeds, !hi*h she adored, and

'o((led up a fe! in the shop$

The *hildren loo+ed in the shops for a ti"e, !aitin' for one o*lo*+ to *o"e, so that

they "i'ht 0oin Bill "u's at the hotel$ And then, /uite suddenly, they sa! ;o-;o$

He !as *o"in' alon' the street in the old *ar, hootin' at a !o"an *rossin' the

road$ The *hildren *lut*hed one another, !onderin' if he !ould see the", half

hopin' that he !ould$

And he did$ He *au'ht si'ht of %hilip 5rst, then sa! ;a*+ !ith 8i+i on his shoulder,

and then the t!o 'irls (ehind$ He !as so over*o"e !ith a"a)e"ent that he let the

*ar s!erve a*ross the road, al"ost +no*+in' do!n a poli*e"an$



Here, you .hat do you thin+ youre doin' yelled the poli*e"an an'rily$ ;o-;o

"uttered an apolo'y, and then loo+ed for the *hildren a'ain$

6ont run a!ay, said ;a*+ to the others$ He *ant *hase us in the *ar$ ;ust !al+ alon'

and ta+e no noti*e of hi"$

o they !al+ed do!n the street, tal+in' to'ether, pretendin' not to see ;o-;o and

ta+in' no noti*e at all of his shouts$

;o-;o si"ply *ould not (elieve his eyes$ Ho! did the *hildren 'et here There !as no

(us, no train, no *oa*h they *ould ta+e$ They had no (i*y*les$ It !as too far for

the" to have !al+ed there in the ti"e$ Then ho! !as it they !ere here

The (la*+ "an hurried to par+ his *ar, "eanin' to 'o after the *hildren and /uestion

the"$ He par+ed it and 0u"ped out$ He ran after the four *hildren, (ut at that

"o"ent they rea*hed the very 'rand hotel !here they had arran'ed to "eet Bill

"u's, and ran up the steps$

;o-;o did not dare to follo! the *hildren into the 'rand hotel$ He stood at the (otto"

of the (i' <i'ht of steps, loo+in' after the" in annoyed surprise$ It !as astonishin'

enou'h to 5nd the" in the to!n (ut even "ore astonishin' to 5nd the"

disappearin' into the "ost e#pensive hotel in the pla*e$

;o-;o sat do!n at the (otto" of the steps$ He "eant to !ait till they *a"e out$ Then

he !ould pa*+ the" into his *ar and ta+e the" ho"e, and tell &iss %olly !here hed

found the"$ he !ouldnt (e (est pleased to hear they !ere !astin' hard-earned

"oney at e#pensive hotels, !hen they *ould easily ta+e a pa*+et of sand!i*hes

!ith the"$

The *hildren 'i''led as they ran up the steps$ Bill "u's !as !aitin' for the" in

the loun'e$ He sho!ed the 'irls !here to !ash and do their hair$ They all "et

to'ether a'ain in a fe! "inutes and !ent into the restaurant to have lun*h$

It !as a "a'ni5*ent lun*h$ The *hildren ate everythin' put in front of the", and

5nished up !ith the (i''est i*e-*rea"s they had ever seen$

Oh, Bill, that !as 'rand, said 6inah, sin+in' (a*+ into her *o"forta(le *hair !ith a

si'h$ i"ply "arvellous$ A real treat$ Than+s a!fully$

I thin+ you "ust (e a "illionaire, said :u*y-Ann, !at*hin' Bill *ount out notes to

the !aiter in pay"ent of the (ill$ Golly, Ive eaten so "u*h that I feel I really *ant

'et up and !al+$

;a*+ re"e"(ered ;o-;o, and !ondered if the (la*+ "an !as !at*hin' for the"$ He

'ot up to see$



He peeped out of a !indo! that loo+ed on to the hotels "ain entran*e$ He sa! ;o-

;o sittin' patiently do!n at the (otto" of the steps$ ;a*+ !ent (a*+ to the others,

'rinnin'$

Is there a (a*+ entran*e to this hotel he as+ed Bill "u's$ Bill loo+ed surprised$

7es, he said$ .hy

Be*ause dear ;o-;o is sittin' outside the hotel entran*e !aitin' for us, said ;a*+$ Bill

nodded, understandin'$

.ell, !ell depart /uietly (y the (a*+ entran*e, he said$ Co"e on$ Its ti"e !e

!ent, any!ay$ Got all you !anted fro" the shops

7es, said the *hildren, and trooped out after hi"$ He led the" to the (a*+ of the

hotel, and out of a door there into a /uiet street$ He too+ the" to !here he had

par+ed his *ar, and they all 'ot in, happy at havin' had su*h a lovely day$

They sped (a*+ to the *oast, and 'ot out of the *ar at the nearest point to Cra''y-

Tops$ They hurried over the *li2, ea'er to 'et (a*+ (efore ;o-;o did$

;o-;o did not arrive until a(out an hour later, loo+in' dour and 'ri"$ He put a!ay the

*ar and !ent to the house$ The 5rst thin' he sa! !as the 'roup of four *hildren

playin' do!n on the ro*+s$ He stood and stared in an'ry astonish"ent$

There !as a "ystery so"e!here$ And ;o-;o "eant to 5nd out !hat it !as$ He !asnt

'oin' to (e pu))led and defeated (y four *hildren$ Not he

Chapter 1>

;O-;O I T9IC8E6 AGAIN

0o-0o thou'ht a(out the "ystery of the *hildren (ein' in the to!n, !ith, as far as he

+ne!, no possi(le !ay of 'ettin' there e#*ept (y !al+in', and this they had not had

ti"e to do$ He *a"e to the *on*lusion that they "ust +no! so"eone !ho 'ave

the" a lift there$

o he set hi"self to !at*h the *hildren *losely$ He "ana'ed to 5nd 0o(s that al!ays

too+ hi" near the"$ If they !ent do!n to the shore, ;o-;o !ould (e there, *olle*tin'

drift!ood$ If they stayed in the house, ;o-;o stayed too$ If they !ent up on the *li2,

;o-;o follo!ed$ It !as "ost annoyin' for the *hildren$



Hell follo! us and 5nd out a(out Bill "u's and his (oat and *ar, said :u*y-Ann$

.e havent (een a(le to 'o and see hi" at all today and if he 'oes on li+e this !e

shant (e a(le to 'o to"orro! either$

It !as i"possi(le to 'ive ;o-;o the slip$ He !as very *lever at +eepin' a !at*h on the

*hildren, and soon they 're! an'ry$ The t!o 'irls !ent up into the to!er-roo" !iththe (oys that ni'ht and dis*ussed the "atter to'ether$

I +no!, said ;a*+ suddenly$ I +no! ho! !e *an 'ive hi" the slip properly, and

pu))le hi" terri(ly$

Ho! as+ed the others$

.hy, !ell all 'o into the *aves, said ;a*+$ And !ell slip do!n the hole into the

se*ret passa'e, and 'o up to Cra''y-Tops *ellar, slip out of there !hilst ;o-;o is

!aitin' do!n on the (ea*h for us, and 'o over the *li2s to Bill$

Oooh, that is a 'ood idea, said %hilip$ The 'irls !ere dou(tful a(out it, for theyneither of the" li+ed the idea of the se*ret passa'e very "u*h$ till they all had

tor*hes no!, and it !ould (e a 'ood *han*e to use the"$

o ne#t day, !ith ;o-;o *lose on their heels, the four *hildren and 8i+i !ent do!n to

the (ea*h$

;o-;o, for 'oodness sa+e leave us alone, said %hilip$ .ere 'oin' into the *aves, and

no har" *an *o"e to us there$ Go a!ay

&iss %olly said I !as to +eep an eye on you, repeated ;o-;o$ He had told the *hildren

this ti"es !ithout nu"(er, (ut they +ne! it !asnt the real reason$ ;o-;o en0oyed"a+in' hi"self a nuisan*e$ He !anted to po+e his nose into everythin' they did$

They !ent into the *aves$ ;o-;o !andered outside, puttin' drift!ood into his sa*+$

The *hildren all slipped do!n the hole that led to the se*ret passa'e, and then, !ith

their tor*hes s!it*hed on, they "ade their !ay alon' it$

The 'irls didnt li+e it at all$ They hated the s"ell, and !hen they found that in one

part it !as di3*ult to (reathe they !ere afraid$

.ell, its no 'ood 'oin' (a*+, said %hilip, 'ivin' 6inah a shove to "a+e her 'o on$

.eve *o"e "ore than half-!ay no!$ 6o 'o on, 6inah$ 7oure holdin' us up$

6ont push said 6inah$ I shall stop if I !ant to$

Oh, shut up ar'uin', you t!o, 'roaned ;a*+$ I (elieve youd start a /uarrel if you

!ere in a ship that !as 0ust a(out to sin+, or an aeroplane a(out to *rash$ Get on,

6inah, and dont (e an idiot$



6inah !as a(out to start an ar'u"ent !ith ;a*+ too, !hen 8i+i 'ave a "ournful

*ou'h, so e#a*tly li+e ;o-;os that the *hildren at 5rst thou'ht the (la*+ "an "ust

have found the passa'e, and all of the", 6inah as !ell, hurried for!ard at on*e$

Its all ri'ht it !as only that !ret*h 8i+i, said ;a*+, relieved, as 8i+i *ou'hed a'ain$

They pushed on, and at last *a"e to the end of the passa'e$ They all stared at thetrap-door a(ove their heads, (ri'htly lit (y the li'ht of their four tor*hes$

4p it !ent, and over !ith a *rash$ The (oys *li"(ed up to the *ellar <oor and then

helped the 'irls up$ They shut the trap-door, !ent to the *ellar door, !hi*h !as

shut, and pushed it open$ The (o#es on the other side fell over a'ain !ith a fa"iliar

*rashin' noise$

The *hildren !ent throu'h the door, shut it, piled the (o#es up a'ain, and then !ent

up the *ellar steps to the (i' +it*hen$ No-one !as there$ That !as lu*+y$

Out they !ent, and up to the *li2$ 8eepin' to the path, !here they !ere !ell hidden

fro" the shore (elo!, they hurried o2 to 5nd their friend Bill "u's$ They 'rinned

to thin+ of dear ;o-;o !aitin' do!n on the (ea*h for the" to *o"e out of the *aves$

Bill "u's !as tin+erin' !ith his (oat$ He !aved *heerily as they all *a"e up$

Hallo, he said, !hy didnt you *o"e and see "e yesterday I "issed you$

It !as (e*ause of ;o-;o, said ;a*+$ He +eeps follo!in' us around li+e a shado!$ I

thin+ he pro(a(ly suspe*ts !e have a friend !ho has a *ar, and he "eans to 5nd

out !ho it is$

.ell, dont tell hi" anythin', said Bill /ui*+ly$ 8eep thin's to yourself$ I dont !ant ;o-;o pryin' around here$ He doesnt sound at all a ni*e person$

.hat are you doin' to your (oat as+ed ;a*+$ Are you 'oin' out in it

I thou'ht I !ould, said Bill$ Its a 5ne day, the sea is fairly *al", yet theres a ni*e

(ree)e and I half thou'ht I "i'ht sail near to the Isle of Gloo"$

There !as an e#*ited silen*e$ The Isle of Gloo" All the *hildren !anted to see it

*lose to and ;a*+ (adly !anted to land there$ If only Bill !ould ta+e the" !ith hi"

;a*+ loo+ed out to the !est$ He *ould not see the island, for on*e a'ain there !as a

lo! heat-ha)e on the sea$ But he +ne! e#a*tly !here it !as$ His heart (eat fast$ TheGreat Au+ "i'ht (e there$ Any!ay, even if it !asnt, all +inds of other sea-(irds

!ould (e there and pro(a(ly as ta"e as anythin'$ He *ould ta+e his *a"era he

*ouldn(sp$n(sp$n(sp$

Bill please, please ta+e us !ith you (e''ed :u*y-Ann$ Oh, do .ell (e very 'ood,

and you +no!, no! that you have tau'ht us ho! to sail a (oat, !e *an really help$



.ell I "eant to ta+e you, said Bill, li'htin' a *i'arette, and s"ilin' round at the

*hildren$ I !anted to 'o yesterday, and !hen you didnt *o"e, I put the trip o2 till

today$ .ell 'o this afternoon, and ta+e our tea !ith us$ 7oull have to 'ive ;o-;o the

slip a'ain$ He "ustnt see you sailin' o2 in "y (oat or hed pro(a(ly try to stop

you$

Oh, Bill .ell (e alon' 5rst thin' this afternoon, said ;a*+, his eyes 'lea"in' very

'reen$

Than+s "ost a!fully, said %hilip$

hall !e really see the Isle of Gloo" *lose to as+ed :u*y-Ann, in e#*ite"ent$

Cant !e land there said 6inah$

I dont thin+ so, said Bill$ 7ou see, there is a rin' of dan'erous ro*+s around it, and

althou'h there "ay on*e have (een a passa'e so"e!here throu'h the", and

possi(ly is no!, for all I +no!, I dont +no! !here it is$ I" not 'oin' to ris+ dro!nin'you all$

Oh, said the *hildren, disappointed$ They !ould have (een /uite !illin' to run the

ris+ of (ein' dro!ned, for the sa+e of tryin' to land on the (ad isle$

7oud (etter 'o (a*+ and have an early lun*h, if your aunt !ill let you have it, said

Bill$ I dont !ant to (e too late in startin'$ The tide !ill help us, if !e 'et o2 fairly

early$

All ri'ht, said the four, 0u"pin' up fro" the ro*+s at on*e$ Good-(ye till this

afternoon, Bill$ .ell (rin' tea !ith us as ni*e as !e *an, to re!ard you for !aitin'for us$

They set o2 ho"e a'ain, tal+in' ea'erly of the *o"in' trip$ ;o-;o had said so "any

fri'htenin' thin's a(out the desolate island that the *hildren *ouldnt help feelin'

e#*ited at the idea of seein' it$

I !onder if ;o-;o is still on the (ea*h, !at*hin' for us outside the *aves, said ;a*+$

The *hildren !ent *autiously to the ed'e of the *li2 and peeped over$ 7es ;o-;o !as

still do!n there$ .hat a sell for hi"

They !ent to Cra''y-Tops and found Aunt %olly$ Aunt, *ould !e possi(ly have an

early lun*h, and then 'o o2 and ta+e our tea !ith us as+ed %hilip$ .ill it (e any

trou(le .ell help to 'et the lun*h, and !e dont "ind !hat !e have$

Theres a *old pie in the larder, said Aunt %olly, *onsiderin'$ And so"e to"atoes$

And there are so"e ste!ed plu"s$ 6inah, you lay the ta(le, and the others *an set

out the food$ Ill "a+e you so"e sand!i*hes for your tea, and theres a 'in'er *a+e

you *an have too$ :u*y-Ann, *an you put the +ettle on to (oil 7ou *an have so"e

tea in a ther"os <as+ if you li+e$



Oh, than+ you, said the *hildren, and set to !or+ at on*e$ They laid a pla*e for Aunt

%olly, (ut she shoo+ her head$

I dont feel very !ell today, she said$ Ive 'ot a (ad heada*he$ I shant !ant

anythin'$ I shall have a 'ood lon' rest !hilst you are out this afternoon$

The *hildren !ere sorry$ Certainly Aunt %olly did loo+ tired out$ %hilip !ondered if his

"other had sent any "ore "oney to help thin's alon' a (it, or !hether Aunt %olly

!as 5ndin' thin's very di3*ult$ He didnt li+e to as+ her in front of the others$ oon

the *hildren !ere havin' their dinner, and then, the tea (ein' pa*+ed up and ready,

they set o2 over the *li2$

They had not seen ;o-;o$ The (la*+ "an !as still do!n on the (ea*h, no! feelin'

very pu))led, and "ost annoyed !ith the vanished *hildren$ He felt *ertain they

!ere in the *aves$ He !ent in hi"self and *alled to the"$

There !as no ans!er, of *ourse$ ;o-;o *alled a'ain and a'ain$ .ell, if theyve lost

the"selves in the *aves, it !ill (e 'ood riddan*e of (ad ru((ish, he said to hi"self$

He de*ided to 'o up and report the "atter to &iss %olly$

o up he !ent$ The *hildren had 'one, and Aunt %olly !as !ashin' up$ he 'lan*ed

sharply at ;o-;o$

.here have you (een all "ornin' she as+ed$ I !anted you, and you !ere no!here

to (e found$

:oo+in' for the" *hildren, said ;o-;o$ Its "y (elief theyve 'one into the *aves

do!n there, and 'ot lost$ I (een *allin' and *allin' for the"$

6ont (e so silly, ;o-;o, said Aunt %olly$ 7oure 0ust "a+in' the *hildren an e#*use for

your la)iness$ 7ou +no! /uite !ell they are not in the *aves$

&iss %olly, I seed the" 'o in, and I didnt seed the" *o"e out, (e'an ;o-;o

indi'nantly$ I !as on the (ea*h all the ti"e, !asnt I .ell, I tells you, &iss %olly,

the" *hildren !ent into the *aves, and theyre there still$

No, theyre not, said Aunt %olly 5r"ly$ They have 0ust 'one o2 for a pi*ni*$ They

*a"e in, had an early lun*h and !ent out a'ain$ o dont *o"e to "e any "ore !ith

silly stories a(out the" (ein' lost in *aves$

;o-;os "outh dropped open$ He si"ply *ould not (elieve his ears$ Hadnt he (een on

the (ea*h (y the *aves all the "ornin' He !ould have seen the *hildren as soon as

they *a"e out$

6ont pretend to (e so surprised, said Aunt %olly sharply$ ;ust stir yourself and do a

fe! 0o(s /ui*+ly$ 7ou !ill have to do this afternoon all the thin's you didnt do this

"ornin'$ I e#pe*t the *hildren did 'o into the *aves (ut they "ust have slipped out



!hen you !ere not loo+in'$ 6ont stand there loo+in' li+e a stu2ed du""y$ 7ou

"a+e "e very an'ry$

;o-;o shoo+ hi"self, shut his "outh and !ent o2 silently to do so"e 0o(s in the

house$ He !as full of a"a)e"ent$ He re"e"(ered ho! one ni'ht he had *hased

t!o (oys into the *aves, thin+in' they !ere %hilip and ;a*+ and the tide had *o"eup and i"prisoned the" in the *aves (ut they !ere not there the ne#t "ornin'$

And no! the four *hildren had done the sa"e thin'$ ;o- ;o thou'ht it !as de*idedly

un*anny$ He didnt li+e it$ No! those *hildren had 'iven hi" the slip a'ain$ .here

had they 'one .ell, it !asnt "u*h 'ood tryin' to 5nd out that afternoon not !ith

&iss %olly in su*h a (ad te"per any!ay

Chapter 1

A G:I&%E OF THE I:E OF G:OO&

The *hildren hurried over the *li2s to Bill "u's and his (oat$ He !as ready for

the"$ He put their pa*+et of sand!i*hes and *a+e, their ther"os, and a pa*+et of

(is*uits and *ho*olate of his o!n, into the (oat$ Then they all 'ot in$

Bill had (rou'ht the (oat to shore, instead of hidin' it out (y the ro*+s$ He pushed

o2, !adin' in the !ater till the (oat <oated$ Then in he 0u"ped, and too+ the oars

till they !ere a!ay fro" the ro*+s$

No! then, he said, in a little !hile, !hen they !ere !ell (eyond the ro*+s and out

at sea, no! then, (oys, up !ith that sail and lets see ho! you do it

The (oys put up the sail easily$ Then they too+ turns at the tiller, and Bill !as

pleased !ith the"$ 7ou are 'ood pupils, he said approvin'ly$ I (elieve you *ould

ta+e this (oat out alone no!$

Oh, Bill !ould you let us as+ed ;a*+ ea'erly$ 7ou *ould trust us, really you *ould$

I "i'ht, one day, said Bill$ 7ou !ould have to pro"ise not to sail out very far, thatsall$

Oh yes, !ed pro"ise anythin', said the *hildren earnestly$ Ho! thrillin' it !ould (e

to set o2 in Bills (oat all (y the"selves

There !as a 'ood !ind and the (oat sped alon' s"oothly, ro*+in' a little every no!

and a'ain as she *a"e to a s!ell$ The sea !as really very *al"$



Its lovely, said ;a*+$ I do li+e the <appin' noise the sail "a+es and the sound of the

!ater slappin' a'ainst the (oat, and the steady !histlin' of the

!indn(sp$n(sp$n(sp$

6inah and :u*y-Ann let their hands trail in the *ool, sil+y !ater$ 8i+i !at*hed !ith

interest fro" her per*h on the (i' sail$ he *ould hardly +eep her (alan*e there, andhad to half-spread her !in's to help her$ he see"ed to (e en0oyin' the trip as

"u*h as the *hildren$

.ipe your feet and shut the door, she said to Bill "u's, *at*hin' his eye$ Ho!

"any ti"es have In(sp$n(sp$n(sp$

hut up, 8i+i *ried everyone at on*e$ 6ont (e rude to Bill, or hell thro! you

over(oard$

8i+i *a*+led !ith lau'hter, rose into the air and 0oined a *ouple of startled sea-'ulls,

announ*in' to the" that they had (etter use their hand+er*hiefs$ Then she 'ave an

ear-pier*in' shrie+ that "ade the 'ulls sheer o2 in alar"$ 8i+i returned to her per*h,

pleased !ith herself$ he did en0oy *reatin' a sensation, !hether it !as a"on'

hu"an (ein's, (irds or ani"als$

I still *ant see the Isle of Gloo", said ;a*+, !ho !as +eepin' a sharp loo+-out for it$

.herea(outs is it, Bill I see" to have lost "y sense of dire*tion no! I" ri'ht out

at sea$

Over there, said Bill, pointin'$ The *hildren follo!ed his 5n'er, (ut *ould see

nothin'$ till, it !as e#*itin' that the (ad island, as ;o-;o *alled it, !as *o"in'

nearer and nearer$

The sailin'-(oat sped on, and the !ind freshened a little as they 'ot further out$ The

'irls hair stood out (ehind the", or (le! all over their fa*es, and Bill 'ave an

e#*la"ation of annoyan*e as the !ind neatly !hipped his *i'arette fro" his 5n'ers

and s!ept it a!ay$

No!, if 8i+i !as any use at all, she !ould <y after that and (rin' it (a*+ to "e, said

Bill, *o*+in' an eye at the parrot$

%oor 8i+i, said the parrot, sorro!fully sha+in' her head$ %oor old 8i+i$ .hat a pity,

!hat a pity, !hatn(sp$n(sp$n(sp$

;a*+ ai"ed an old shell at her and she stopped !ith a *a*+le of lau'hter$ Bill tried to

li'ht another *i'arette, !hi*h the !ind "ade rather di3*ult$

After a !hile ;a*+ 'ave a sudden *ry$ :oo+ :and ho Isnt that the Isle of Gloo" It

"ust (e$

They all loo+ed hard$ :oo"in' up out of the heat-ha)e !as land, there !as no dou(t

a(out it$



7es thats the island all ri'ht, said Bill, !ith 'reat interest$ Its fairly (i', too$

The (oat dre! nearer$ The island (e*a"e *learer and the *hildren *ould see ho!

ro*+y and hilly it !as$ 9ound it !as a *ontinual tur"oil of !ater$ urf and spray !ere

<un' hi'h into the air, and here and there the *hildren *ould see 0a''ed ro*+s

sti*+in' up fro" the sea$

They !ent nearer in$ The !ater !as rou'h and *hoppy no!, and :u*y-Ann (e'an to

loo+ a little 'reen$ he !as the only one !ho !as not a 5rst-rate sailor$ But she

(ravely said nothin', and soon the sea-si*+ feelin' (e'an to pass o2 a little$

No! you *an see the !ide rin' of ro*+s runnin' round the island, said Bill "u's$

&y !ord, arent they !i*+ed I 'uess "any a (oat has (een !re*+ed on the" at one

ti"e or another$ .ell *ruise round a (it, and see if !e *an spot any entry$ But !e

dont 'o any nearer, theres no use (e''in' "e to$

The Al(atross !as no! in a very *hoppy sea indeed and poor :u*y-Ann !ent 'reen

a'ain$ Have a dry (is*uit, :u*y-Ann, said Bill "u's, noti*in' her loo+s$ Ni((le it$ It

"ay +eep o2 that si*+ feelin'$

It did$ :u*y-Ann ni((led the dry (is*uit 'ratefully and !as soon a(le to ta+e an

interest in the trip on*e "ore$ The Isle of Gloo" *ertainly lived up to its na"e$ It

!as a "ost desolate pla*e, as far as the *hildren *ould see$ It see"ed to (e "ade

of 0a''ed ro*+s that rose into hi'h hills in the "iddle of the island$ A fe! stunted

trees 're! here and there, and 'rass sho!ed 'reen in so"e pla*es$ The ro*+s !ere

a *urious red *olour on the sea!ard side of the island, (ut (la*+ every!here else$

There are heaps and heaps of (irds there, 0ust as I thou'ht, said ;a*+, loo+in'

throu'h his 5eld-'lasses in e#*ite"ent$ Golly 0ust loo+ at the", Bill

But Bill !ould not leave the tiller$ It !as dan'erous !or+ *ruisin' near to the rin' of

ro*+s in su*h a *hoppy sea$ He nodded to ;a*+$ Ill ta+e your !ord for it, he said$ Tell

"e if you re*o'nise any (irds$

;a*+ reeled o2 a list of na"es$ Bill, there are thousands and thousands of (irds he

*ried$ Oh, do, do lets land on the island$ Find a !ay throu'h this rin' of ro*+s

so"eho!$ %lease, please do$

No, said Bill 5r"ly$ I said not$ It !ould (e a dan'erous (usiness to 'et to the island

even if !e +ne! the !ay, and I dont$ I" not ris+in' all our lives for the sa+e ofseein' a fe! (irds at *lose /uarters (irds you *an see at Cra''y-Tops any day$

The sailin'-(oat !ent on its !ay round the island, +eepin' !ell outside the !i*+ed

rin' of ro*+s over !hi*h !aves (ro+e *ontinually, sendin' spray hi'h into the air$

The *hildren !at*hed the", and noti*ed ho! they ra*ed over the trea*herous ro*+s,

"a+in' a roarin' noise that never stopped$ It !as so"eho! very thrillin', and the

*hildren felt e#ultant and !anted to shout$



;a*+ *ould see the island "ost *learly (e*ause of his 5eld-'lasses$ He +ept the"

'lued to his eyes, loo+in' at the hundreds of (irds, (oth <yin' and sittin', that he

*ould see$ %hilip tapped his ar"$

:et so"eone else have a loo+ too, he said$ Hand over the 'lasses$

;a*+ didnt !ant to, (e*ause he !as afraid of "issin' seein' a Great Au+, (ut he did

at last 'ive the" to %hilip$ %hilip !as not so interested in the (irds he s!ept the

*oast of the island !ith the 'lasses and then 'ave an e#*la"ation$

Hallo There are still houses or so"ethin' on the island$ urely people dont live

there no!$

Of *ourse not, said Bill "u's$ Its (een deserted for a'es$ I *ant i"a'ine !hy

anyone ever did live on it$ They *ould not have far"ed it or used it for 5shin' its a

desolate, i"possi(le sort of pla*e$

I suppose !hat I *an see are only ruins, said %hilip$ They see" to (e in the hills$ I*ant "a+e the" out really$

Anyone !al+in' a(out any of ;o-;os ls/uothin's as+ed 6inah, !ith a lau'h$

No no(ody at all, said %hilip$ Have a loo+ throu'h the 'lasses, 6inah and then :u*y-

Ann$ I dont !onder its *alled the Isle of Gloo"$ It *ertainly is a terri(ly 'loo"y-

loo+in' pla*e nothin' alive on it e#*ept the sea-(irds$

The 'irls had a turn of loo+in' throu'h the 'lasses too$ They didnt li+e the loo+ of

the island at all$ It !as u'ly and (are, and had an e#traordinary air of forlornness

a(out it$

The sailin'-(oat !ent all round the island, +eepin' !ell outside the ro*+s that

'uarded it$ The only pla*e !here there "i'ht *on*eiva(ly (e an entran*e (et!een

the ro*+s !as a spot to the !est$ Here the sea (e*a"e less *hoppy, and althou'h

spray !as <un' up hi'h, the *hildren *ould see no ro*+s on the surfa*e$ The spray

!as <un' (y !aves ra*in' over ro*+s near(y$

I (et thats the only entran*e to the island, said ;a*+$

.ell, !ere not 'oin' to try it, said Bill "u's at on*e$ I" 'oin' to leave the island

no!, and head for *al"er !ater$ Then !ell ta+e do!n the sail and have our tea,

(o((in' 'ently a(out instead of tossin' and pit*hin' li+e this$ %oor :u*y-Ann +eeps

on turnin' 'reen$

;a*+ too+ a last loo+ throu'h his 'lasses and 'ave su*h a shout that 6inah nearly

over-(alan*ed, and 8i+i fell o2 her per*h a(ove$

.hatever is it said Bill "u's, startled$



A Great Au+ yelled ;a*+, the 'lasses 'lued to his eyes$ It is, it is an enor"ous (ird

!ith s"all !in's *lose to its sides and a (i' ra)or-li+e (ill$ Its a Great Au+

Bill 'ave the tiller to ;a*+ for a "o"ent and too+ the 'lasses$ But he *ould see no

Great Au+, and he handed the" (a*+ to the e#*ited (oy, !hose 'reen eyes !ere

'lea"in' !ith 0oy$

I e#pe*t its one of the ra)or(ills, he said$ The Great Au+ is "u*h li+e a (i' ra)or(ill,

you +no! youve let your !ish (e father to the thou'ht, old "an$ That !asnt a

Great Au+, Ill (e (ound$

But ;a*+ !as a(solutely *onvin*ed that it !as$ He *ould not see it any lon'er, (ut,

as they left the island (ehind, the (oy sat loo+in' lon'in'ly (a*+!ards at it$ The

Great Au+ !as there$ He !as sure it !as$ He !as *ertain he had seen one$ Ho!

*ould Bill su''est it !as a ra)or(ill

Bill Bill do 'o (a*+, (e''ed ;a*+, hardly a(le to *ontain hi"self$ I +no! it !as an

au+ a Great Au+$ I suddenly sa! it$ I"a'ine it .hat !ill the !orld say if they +no!

Ive found a Great Au+, a (ird thats (een e#tin*t for years

The !orld !ouldnt *are "u*h, said Bill "u's drily$ Only a fe! people +een on

(irds !ould (e e#*ited$ Cal" yourself a (it I" afraid it *ertainly !asnt the (ird you

thou'ht$

;a*+ *ouldnt *al" hi"self$ He sat loo+in' terri(ly e#*ited, his eyes 'lo!in', his fa*e

red, his hair (lo!n a(out in the !ind$ 8i+i felt the e#*ite"ent and *a"e do!n to his

shoulder, pe*+in' at his ear to 'et his attention$

It !as a Great Au+, it !as, it !as, said ;a*+, and :u*y-Ann slipped a hand in his ar"and s/uee)ed it$ he too !as sure it !as a Great Au+ and any!ay she !asnt 'oin'

to spoil her (rothers pleasure (y sayin' that it !asnt$ Neither %hilip nor 6inah

(elieved that it !as$

They had their tea on *al"er !ater, !ith the sail do!n and the (oat driftin' !here it

pleased$ ;a*+ *ould eat nothin', thou'h he dran+ his tea$ :u*y-Ann, hun'ry no!

after her sea-si*+ness, ate ;a*+s share of the tea, and en0oyed it$ The others

en0oyed the"selves too$ It had (een an e#*itin' afternoon$

Can !e sail your (oat (y ourselves so"e ti"e, as you pro"ised as+ed ;a*+

suddenly$ Bill "u's loo+ed at hi" sharply$

Only if you pro"ise not to 'o very far out, he said$ No rushin' o2 to 5nd the Great

Au+ on the Isle of Gloo", you +no!$

As this !as the idea at the (a*+ of ;a*+s "ind, the (oy !ent red at on*e$ All ri'ht,

he said at last$ I pro"ise not to 'o to the Isle of Gloo" in your (oat, Bill$ But "ay !e

really 'o out (y ourselves other days



7es, you "ay, said Bill$ I thin+ you really +no! ho! to "ana'e the (oat all ri'ht and

you *ant *o"e to "u*h har" if you *hoose a *al" day$

;a*+ loo+ed pleased$ A drea"y e#pression *a"e over his fa*e$ He +ne! !hat he

"eant to do$ He !ould +eep his !ord to Bill "u's he !ould not 'o to the Isle of

Gloo" in Bills (oat (ut he !ould 'o in so"eone elses$ He !ould pra*tise sailin'and ro!in' in Bills (oat and as soon as he !as a(solutely sure of handlin' it, he

!ould (orro! ;o-;os (oat, and 'o to the island in that$

This !as a (old and darin' plan (ut ;a*+ !as so thrilled at the idea of 5ndin' a

Great Au+, !hen everyone else thou'ht it !as e#tin*t, that he !as !illin' to run any

ris+ to 'et to the island$ He !as sure he *ould 5nd the entran*e to the rin' of ro*+s$

He !ould furl the sail !hen he 'ot near the ro*+s and do so"e ro!in'$ ;o-;os (oat

!as (i' and heavy, (ut ;a*+ thou'ht he *ould "ana'e it !ell enou'h$

He said nothin' to the others !hilst Bill !as there$ Bill "ustnt +no!$ He !as 0olly

and +ind and a 'ood friend (ut he !as a 'ro!n-up, and 'ro!n-ups al!ays stopped

*hildren doin' anythin' ris+y$ o ;a*+ sat in the ro*+in' (oat and thou'ht out his

darin' plan, not hearin' the others re"ar+s or teasin'$

Hes 'one o2 to the island to see his Great Au+, said 6inah, !ith a lau'h$

%oor old ;a*+ that (ird has /uite ta+en his appetite a!ay, said %hilip$

.a+e up said Bill, 'ivin' ;a*+ a nud'e$ Be a little so*ia(le$

After tea they de*ided to ro! (a*+, ta+in' it in turns$ Bill thou'ht it !ould (e 'ood

for the" to have so"e e#er*ise, and the *hildren en0oyed handlin' the oars$ ;a*+

ro!ed vi'orously, thin+in' that it !as 'ood pra*ti*e for the ti"e !hen he !ould 'oto the island$

.ell here !e are, safely (a*+ a'ain, said Bill, as the (oat *a"e to shore$ The (oys

0u"ped out and pulled it in$ The 'irls 'ot out, (rin'in' the ther"os <as+ !ith the"$

Bill pulled the (oat up the shore$

.ell, 'ood-(ye, he said$ .eve had a 5ne ti"e$ Co"e alon' to"orro!, if you li+e,

and Ill let you have a shot at ta+in' the (oat out (y yourselves$

Oh, than+s *ried the *hildren, and 8i+i e*hoed the !ords too$ Oh, than+s she

said$ Oh, than+s oh, than+s oh, than+s

Be /uiet, said %hilip, !ith a lau'h, (ut 8i+i *hanted the !ords all the !ay ho"e$ Oh,

than+s oh, than+s oh, than+s oh, than+s

6id you have a ni*e afternoon as+ed Aunt %olly, !hen they !ent into the house$

:ovely, said 6inah$ Is your heada*he (etter, Aunt %olly



Not "u*h, said her aunt, !ho loo+ed pale and tired$ I thin+ Ill 'o to (ed early

toni'ht, if youll ta+e your un*les supper in to hi", instead of "e, 6inah$

7es, I !ill, said 6inah, not li+in' the tas+ very "u*h, for she !as rather afraid of her

learned and pe*uliar un*le$

;o-;o *a"e in at that "o"ent and stared at the four *hildren$ .here you (een he

as+ed rou'hly$ And !here did you 'o this "ornin', after you !ent into the *aves

.e *a"e up to the house, said %hilip, puttin' on a surprised e#pression that

infuriated ;o-;o$ 6idnt you see us And !eve 0ust *o"e (a*+ fro" a pi*ni*, dear ;o-

;o$ .hy all this *on*ern for our !herea(outs 6id you !ant to *o"e !ith us

;o-;o "ade a rude and an'ry noise, at on*e *opied (y 8i+i, !ho then *a*+led out her

"addenin' lau'hter$ ;o-;o 'ave the parrot a loo+ of hatred and stal+ed out$

6ont tease ;o-;o, said Aunt %olly !earily$ Hes really 'ettin' i"possi(le so un*ivil

and la)y$ He never *a"e near the house all the "ornin'$ .ell I" 'oin' to (ed$

;a*+, you help "e !ith 4n*le ;o*elyns tray, said 6inah, !hen the supper !as ready$

Its heavy$ %hilips 'one o2 so"e!here as usual$ He al!ays disappears !hen theres

any 0o( to (e done$

;a*+ too+ the heavy tray and follo!ed 6inah as she led the !ay to her un*les study$

he +no*+ed on the door$ A voi*e 'runted, and 6inah i"a'ined it said Co"e in$

They !ent in, 8i+i on ;a*+s shoulder as usual$ 7our supper, 4n*le, said 6inah$ Aunt

%ollys 'one to (ed$ hes tired$

%oor %olly, poor dear %olly, said 8i+i, in a pityin' tone$ 4n*le ;o*elyn loo+ed up,

startled$ He sa! the parrot and pi*+ed up a paper-!ei'ht$

8i+i at on*e <e! out of the door, and 4n*le ;o*elyn put the paper-!ei'ht do!n

a'ain$ 8eep that parrot out, he said 'ru"pily$ Interferin' (ird$ %ut the tray do!n

there$ .ho are you, youn' "an

I" ;a*+ Trent, said ;a*+, surprised that anyone *ould (e so for'etful$ 7ou sa! "e

and "y sister :u*y-Ann the day !e *a"e here, sir$ 6ont you re"e"(er

Too "any *hildren in this house, said 4n*le ;o*elyn, in a 'ru"(lin' tone$ Cant 'et

any !or+ done at all$

Oh, 4n*le you +no! !e never distur( you, said 6inah indi'nantly$

4n*le ;o*elyn !as (endin' over a (i' and very old "ap$ ;a*+ 'lan*ed at it$

Oh, he said, thats a "ap of part of this *oast and thats the Isle of Gloo", isnt it,

sir



He pointed to the outline of the island, dra!n *arefully on the (i' "ap$ 4n*le

;o*elyn nodded$

Have you ever (een there as+ed ;a*+ ea'erly$ .e sa! it this afternoon, sir$

Never (een there, and dont !ant to 'o either, said 4n*le ;o*elyn surlily$

I sa! a Great Au+ there this afternoon, said ;a*+ proudly$

This did not i"press 4n*le ;o*elyn at all$ Nonsense, he said$ Birds (een e#tin*t for

a'es$ 7ou sa! a ra)or(ill$ 6ont (e foolish, (oy$

;a*+ !as annoyed$ Only :u*y-Ann paid any attention to his 'reat dis*overy, and she,

he +ne!, !ould have (elieved hi" if he had said he had seen anta Claus on the

island$ He stared sul+ily at the untidy, fro!nin' old "an$

4n*le ;o*elyn stared (a*+$

Could I see the "ap, please as+ed ;a*+ suddenly, thin+in' that he "i'ht possi(ly

see "ar+ed on it the entran*e (et!een the ro*+s$

.hy Are you interested in that sort of thin' as+ed 4n*le ;o*elyn, surprised$

I" very interested in the Isle of Gloo", said ;a*+$ %lease "ay I see the "ap, sir

Ive 'ot a (i''er one so"e!here sho!in' only the island, in 'reat detail, said 4n*le

;o*elyn, /uite pleased no! to thin+ that anyone should (e interested in his "aps$

:et "e see !here is it

.hilst he !ent to loo+ for it, ;a*+ and 6inah had a 'ood loo+ at the (i' "ap of the*oast$ There, lyin' o2 it, rin'ed (y ro*+s, !as the Isle of Gloo"$ It had a /ueer

shape, rather li+e an e'' !ith a (ul'e in the "iddle of one side, and its *oast !as

very "u*h indented$ It lay al"ost due !est of Cra''y-Tops$

;a*+ pored over the "ap, feelin' terri(ly e#*ited$ If only 4n*le ;o*elyn !ould lend it

to hi"

:oo+, he said to 6inah, in a lo! voi*e$ :oo+$ The rin' of ro*+s is (ro+en 0ust there$

ee I (et its !here I i"a'ined the entran*e !as this afternoon$ ee that hill sho!n

in the "ap The entran*e to the ro*+s is 0ust a(out opposite$ If ever !e !anted to

'o there and 'oodness +no!s I do !e need only loo+ for that hill its the hi'hest onthe island, I should thin+ and then !at*h for the entran*e to the ro*+s 0ust opposite

to the hill$ Easy

It loo+s easy on the "ap, (ut I (et its a 0olly si'ht "ore di3*ult !hen you 'et out

on the sea, said 6inah$ 7ou sound as if you "ean to 'o there, ;a*+ (ut you +no!

!hat !e pro"ised Bill "u's$ .e *ant (rea+ our pro"ise$



I +no! that, idiot, said ;a*+, !ho had never (ro+en a pro"ise in his life$ Ive 'ot

another plan$ Ill tell you later$

&u*h to the *hildrens disappoint"ent, 4n*le ;o*elyn *ould not 5nd the lar'e "ap of

the island$ He !ould not lend the other one to ;a*+$

Certainly not, he said, loo+in' /uite sho*+ed$ Its a very, very old "ap hundreds of

years old$ I !ouldnt drea" of handin' it out to you$ 7oud da"a'e it, or lose it or

so"ethin'$ I +no! !hat *hildren are$

7ou dont, 4n*le, said 6inah$ 7ou dont +no! !hat !e are li+e a (it$ .hy, !e hardly

ever see you$ 6o lend us the "ap$

But nothin' !ould persuade the old "an to part !ith his pre*ious "ap$ o, ta+in'

one last 'lan*e at the dra!in' of the island, !ith its *urious rin' of prote*tin' ro*+s,

and the one (rea+ in the", ;a*+ and 6inah left the untidy, (oo+-lined study$

6ont for'et your supper, 4n*le, *alled (a*+ 6inah as she shut the door$ 4n*le ;o*elyn 'ave a 'runt$ He !as already lost in his !or+ a'ain$ The supper-tray stood

unheeded (eside hi"$

I (et hell for'et all a(out it, said 6inah$ And she !as ri'ht$ .hen Aunt %olly !ent

into the study the ne#t day to tidy it as usual, there !as the supper-tray standin' on

the ta(le, *o"plete !ith plate of "eat and ve'eta(les, and pie*e of pie and

*ustard$

7oure !orse than a *hild, s*olded Aunt %olly$ 7es, you really are, ;o*elyn$

Chapter 1D

A J4EE9 HA%%ENING AN6 A FINE T9I%

That ni'ht ;a*+ told the others his plan, and they !ere at 5rst dou(tful, and then

thrilled and e#*ited$

Could !e really 5nd the entran*e said :u*y-Ann, s*ared$

Easily, said ;a*+, !ho, on*e he had "ade up his "ind a(out anythin', !ould not

re*o'nise any di3*ulties at all$ I sa! the entran*e this afternoon, I" sure, and I

*ertainly sa! it on that "ap$ o did 6inah$

o did 6inah, so did 6inah, so did 6inah, *hanted 8i+i$ No(ody too+ any noti*e of

her$ They all !ent on tal+in' e#*itedly$



7ou see, on*e I feel a(solutely at ho"e in handlin' Bills (oat, I shant (e a (it afraid

of ta+in' ;o-;os, said ;a*+$

Hell half +ill you if he 5nds out, said %hilip$ Ho! are you 'oin' to "ana'e it !ithout

his +no!in'

I shall !ait till he ta+es the old *ar and 'oes shoppin', said ;a*+ at on*e$ I thou'ht

of all that$ As soon as he 'oes o2 in the *ar, I shall ta+e out the (oat, and hope to

*o"e (a*+ (efore he returns$ If I dont !ell, it 0ust *ant (e helped$ 7oull have to

distra*t his attention so"eho! or lo*+ hi" up in the *ellar or so"ethin'$

The others 'i''led$ The idea of lo*+in' ;o-;o up !as distin*tly pleasin'$

But loo+ here, said %hilip, arent !e *o"in' !ith you 7ou *ant 'o alone$

I" not ta+in' the 'irls, said ;a*+ 5r"ly$ I dont "ind any ris+ "yself (ut I !ont ris+

anythin' !ith the 'irls$ 7ou *an *o"e, of *ourse, %hilip$

I" *o"in' too, said :u*y-Ann at on*e$ he !as not 'oin' to have ;a*+ 'oin' o2 on

a ris+y adventure !ithout her (y his side$

.ell, you *ant *o"e, so thats that, said ;a*+ de*idedly$ 6ont (e an ass, :u*y-Ann$

7oud spoil everythin' if you *a"e$ .ed have to (e too *areful if you or 6inah !ere

on (oard$ .e !ouldnt dare to ta+e any ris+s at all$

I dont !ant you to ta+e ris+s, said poor :u*y-Ann, !ith tears in her eyes$

6ont (e su*h a (a(y, said ;a*+$ .hy *ant you (e li+e 6inah, and not !orry "e

!hen I !ant to do so"ethin' 6inah doesnt (other a(out %hilip ta+in' ris+s, do

you, 6inah

No, said 6inah, !ell a!are that %hilip *ould ta+e very 'ood *are of hi"self$ All the

sa"e I !ish !e *ould *o"e$

:u*y-Ann (lin+ed (a*+ her tears$ he didnt !ant to spoil thin's for ;a*+ (ut really, it

!as a!ful to thin+ he "i'ht (e !re*+ed or dro!ned$ he !ished !ith all her heart

that Great Au+s had never e#isted$ If they hadnt e#isted they *ouldnt (e e#tin*t,

and if they hadnt (een e#tin*t there !ouldnt (e all this e#*ite"ent a(out 5ndin'

one a'ain$

;a*+ did not sleep "u*h that ni'ht$ He lay and thou'ht a(out the island and its(irds, and *ould hardly !ait to sail o2 and see !hether it really !as a Great Au+ or

not he had spotted throu'h his 'lasses that afternoon$ He "i'ht 'et a lot of "oney

if he *au'ht the Great Au+$ It *ouldnt <y, it *ould only s!i"$ It "i'ht (e so ta"e

that it !ould let itself (e *au'ht$ There "i'ht (e three or four Great Au+s$ It !ould

(e si"ply !onderful to 5nd out$



;a*+ 'ot up and !ent to the !indo!$ He loo+ed out to the !est !here the island lay$

There !as no "oon that ni'ht, and he *ould see nothin' at 5rst$ But, as he 'a)ed

earnestly to the !est, thin+in' hard of the island, he !as astonished to see

so"ethin' distin*tly unusual$

He (lin+ed his eyes and loo+ed a'ain$ It see"ed as if a li'ht !as shinin' out there,over to the !est !here the island !as$ It !ent out slo!ly as he !at*hed, and then

*a"e a'ain$ It *ant (e a real li'ht, said ;a*+$ Any!ay, it *ant (e a li'ht on the

island$ It "ust (e so"e ship a 'ood !ay out, si'nallin'$

The li'ht to the !est faded a'ain, and did not reappear$ ;a*+ pulled his head (a*+,

"eanin' to 'o to (ed a'ain, feelin' sure that it "ust have (een a ships li'ht he

had seen$

But, (efore he *ould 'o (a*+ to his (ed, so"ethin' else attra*ted hi"$ The narro!

!indo! on the opposite side, the one loo+in' over the top of the *li2, !as outlined

in a soft li'ht$ ;a*+ stared in a"a)e"ent$

He ran to the !indo! and loo+ed out$ The li'ht *a"e fro" the top of the ro*+y *li2$

o"eone had either (uilt a 5re there or had a (ri'ht lantern$ .ho *ould it (e And

!hy sho! a li'ht at ni'ht .as it to si'nal to the ship out at sea

;a*+s roo" !as the hi'hest in Cra''y-Tops, and the to!er in !hi*h it !as (uilt

0utted a(ove the *li2-top$ But thou'h he *raned his ne*+ to loo+ out as far as he

*ould, he *ould not see !hat the li'ht !as on the top of the *li2, nor e#a*tly !here$

He de*ided to 5nd out$

He did not !a+e %hilip$ He put on shorts and *oat and shoes and ran silently do!n

the stairs$ He !as soon *li"(in' the path to the top of the *li2$ But !hen he 'ot

there, there !as no li'ht to (e seen at all no s"ell, even, of a 5re$ It !as very

pu))lin'$

The (oy stu"(led alon' the *li2 and suddenly he 'ot the fri'ht of his life$ o"eone

*lut*hed at hi" and held hi" fast$

.hat you doin' up here said ;o-;os voi*e, and he shoo+ the (oy till he had no

(reath left in his (ody$ Go on you tell "e !hat you doin' up here$

Too fri'htened to thin+ of anythin' (ut the truth, ;a*+ (lurted it out$

I sa! a li'ht fro" the to!er-roo" and I *a"e to see !hat it !as$

I told you there !as ls/uothin's on the *li2 at ni'ht, didnt I said ;o-;o, in a

fri'htenin' voi*e$ .ell, those thin's sho! li'hts, and they !ail and yell so"eti"es,

and lordy +no!s !hat else they do$ 6idnt I tell you not to !ander out at ni'ht

.hat are you out for as+ed ;a*+, (e'innin' to re*over fro" his fri'ht$



;o-;o shoo+ hi" a'ain, 'lad to have 'ot one of the *hildren in his po!er$ I *o"e out

to see !hat the li'ht !as too, he 'ro!led$ ee Thats !hat I !as out for, of *ourse$

But its al!ays those ls/uothin's a-"a+in' a distur(an*e and a trou(le$ No!, you

pro"ise "e youll never leave your (edroo" no "ore at ni'hts$

I shant pro"ise you anythin', said ;a*+, (e'innin' to stru''le$ :et "e 'o, you(east$ 7oure hurtin' "e$

Ill hurt you a "i'hty lot "ore, less you tell "e you !ont 'o out at ni'hts,

threatened the (la*+ "an$ I 'ot a rope-end here, see I (een +eepin' it for you and

%hilip$

;a*+ !as afraid$ ;o-;o !as i""ensely stron', spiteful and *ruel$ He stru''led hard

a'ain, feelin' ;o-;o untyin' the rope he had around his !aist$

It !as 8i+i that saved hi"$ The parrot, "issin' ;a*+ suddenly fro" the to!er-roo",

!here she had (een sleepin' pea*efully on the per*h that the (oy had ri''ed up for

her, had *o"e in sear*h of her "aster$ he !ould not (e separated fro" hi" for

lon', if she *ould help it$

;ust as ;a*+ !as !onderin' !hether it !ould (e a 'ood idea to (ite ;o-;o hard or not,

8i+i s!ooped do!n !ith a 'lad s*ree*h$ 8i+i 8i+i Bite hi" Bite hi" yelled ;a*+$

The parrot 'ladly fastened her sharp *urved (ea+ into a very <eshy part of the (la*+

"ans ar"$ He let ;a*+ 'o and 'ave an a'onised yell$ He hit out at 8i+i, !ho !as

no! !ell (eyond rea*h, !at*hin' for a *han*e to atta*+ a'ain$

This ti"e she tore at ;o-;os ear, and he yelled loudly$ Call that (ird o2 Ill !rin' her

ne*+

;a*+ disappeared do!n the *li2 path$ .hen he !as safely out of rea*h of ;o-;o, he

*alled 8i+i$

8i+i Co"e on$ 7oure a very 'ood (ird$

8i+i too+ a last (ite at ;o-;os other ear and then <e! o2 !ith a s*ree*h$ he <e! to

;a*+s shoulder and "ade soft noises in his ear$ He s*rat*hed her head 'ently as he

"ade his !ay (a*+ to the house, his heart (eatin' fast$

8eep out of ;o-;os !ay, 8i+i, he said$ He *ertainly !ill !rin' your ne*+ no!, if he

*an$ I dont +no! !hat you did to hi" (ut it "ust have (een so"ethin' very painful$

;a*+ !o+e up %hilip and told hi" !hat had happened$ I e#pe*t the li'ht !as fro" a

ship at sea, he said, (ut I dont +no! !hat the other li'ht !as$ ;o-;o said he !ent up

to see too, (ut he thou'ht it !as "ade (y the ls/uothin's he is al!ays tal+in'

a(out$ Golly, I nearly 'ot tanned (y hi", %hilip$ If it hadnt (een for 8i+i, I 'uess Id

have had a (ad ti"e$



Good old 8i+i, said %hilip, and 8i+i repeated his !ords in deli'ht$

Good old 8i+i, 'ood old 8i+i, 'ood oldn(sp$n(sp$n(sp$

Thats enou'h, said ;a*+, and 8i+i stopped$ ;a*+ snu''led do!n deep into (ed$ I"

tired, he said$ I hope I soon 'o to sleep$ I si"ply *ouldnt do)e o2 (efore$ I +ept

thin+in' and thin+in' of the Isle of Gloo"$

But it !as not lon' (efore he !as asleep, drea"in' of a lar'e "ap that had the

island "ar+ed on it, then of a (oat that !as tryin' to 'et to the isle, and then of ;o-

;o *lut*hin' hi" and tryin' to pull (a*+ (oth hi" and the (oat$

The *hildren felt pleased the ne#t "ornin' !hen they re"e"(ered that Bill "u's

had said they *ould try out the (oat (y the"selves$ They set o2 early, havin' done

all their 0o(s very /ui*+ly$ ;o-;o !as in a (ad te"per that day$ He slou*hed a(out,

fro!nin', 'larin' at ;a*+ and 8i+i as if he !ould li+e to 'et hold of (oth of the"$

For on*e in a !ay he did not follo! the" a(out or try to tra*+ the" !here they!ent$ Aunt %olly !as deter"ined that he !as 'oin' to do so"e !or+ that "ornin',

and she set hi" all +inds of tas+s$ He sa! that it !ould (e no 'ood tryin' to evade

the", so, very sul+ily, he set to !or+, and the *hildren !ere a(le to es*ape easily

!ithout (ein' seen$

I" 'oin' to the to!n today, said Bill, !hen they arrived at his tu"(ledo!n sha*+$ I

si"ply "ust 'et ha""er and nails and !ood, and "end up "y house a (it$ o"e

"ore (its of !all have fallen do!n, and I spent last ni'ht !ith a 'ale rushin' all

round "e or !hat see"ed li+e a 'ale in this s"all pla*e$ I "ust do a spot of

"endin'$ 6o you !ant to *o"e !ith "e and do so"e shoppin' a'ain too

No, than+ you, said ;a*+ at on*e$ .e !ould rather 'o out in the (oat, please, Bill$

Its /uite a *al" day$ .e !ill (e very *areful$

7oull re"e"(er your pro"ise, of *ourse, said Bill, and loo+ed at ;a*+ sharply$ The

(oy nodded$

I !ont 'o far out, he said, and the others said the sa"e$ They sa! Bill o2 in his *ar,

and !at*hed hi" 'oin' *arefully do!n the (u"py !ay to 0oin the rou'h-and-ready

road that led to the to!n$

Then they !ent to 'et the (oat$ Bill had left it out on the ro*+s, in its hidin'-pla*e$

The *hildren had not dis*overed !hy he li+ed to +eep it there, (ut they i"a'ined

that he did not !ant it stolen !hen he !as a!ay fro" the pla*e$ They had to s!i"

out to it, !rappin' their dry *lothes in an oil-s+in (a' that Bill lent the" for the

purpose$ %hilip to!ed it (ehind hi"$

They rea*hed the ro*+s and "ade their !ay over the" to the <attish stret*h !here

the (oat !as hauled up, !ell out of rea*h of the !aves$ They undid the oil-s+in (a'



and *han'ed into dry thin's$ They thre! their (athin'-suits into the (oat and then

pulled her do!n to the !ater$

The sea !as deep around the ro*+s, and the (oat slid neatly in, !ith hardly a splash$

The *hildren piled into her, and the t!o (oys too+ the oars$

.ith a little trou(le they ro!ed the (i' (oat a!ay fro" the ro*+s and out into open

!ater$ Then they fa*ed the tas+ of puttin' up the sail !ithout Bill "u's to help

the"$

It ou'ht to (e easy enou'h to us, panted ;a*+, tu''in' at various ropes$ .e did it

yesterday (y ourselves, you +no!$

But yesterday Bill had shouted dire*tions at the"$ No! there !as no-one to help

the" if they 'ot into a "uddle$ till, they did 'et the sail up after a ti"e$ 6inah !as

nearly +no*+ed over(oard, (ut 0ust "ana'ed to save herself$ he !as very an'ry$

7ou did that on purpose, %hilip, she said to her (rother, !ho !as still stru''lin' !ithdi2erent ropes$ ;ust you apolo'ise Bill said there !asnt to (e any han+y-pan+y or

silly tri*+s on (oard$

hut up, said %hilip, 'ettin' suddenly *au'ht in a rope that see"ed deter"ined to

han' hi"$ ;a*+, help "e$

Ta+e the tiller, 6inah, ordered ;a*+$ Ill help old Tufty$ 6inah 6id you hear "e Ta+e

the tiller and let "e help %hilip$

But it !as 6inah !ho, suddenly seein' that %hilip !as indeed in di3*ulties, *a"e to

his res*ue and untan'led hi"$

Than+s, said %hilip$ Blo! these ropes I see" to have undone too "any$ Is the sail

all ri'ht

It see"ed to (e$ The !ind 5lled it and the (oat (e'an to rush alon'$ It !as fun$ The

*hildren felt i"portant at (ein' alone, "ana'in' the (oat all (y the"selves$ It !as,

after all, a very (i' (oat for *hildren to sail$ ;a*+ loo+ed a*ross the !ater to !here

the Isle of Gloo" loo"ed up$ One day he !ould 'o there land on it loo+ around and

'oodness +no!s !hat he "i'ht 5nd A pi*ture of the Great Au+ arose in his "ind

and in his e#*ite"ent he 'y(ed the (oat round and the sail s!un' a*ross, al"ost

+no*+in' o2 the heads of the *rou*hin' *hildren$

Idiot said %hilip indi'nantly$ Here, let "e ta+e the tiller$ .e shall all (e in the !ater

if you play a(out li+e that$

orry, said ;a*+$ I !as 0ust thin+in' of so"ethin' ho! Id 'o o2 in ;o-;os (oat$ .hen

do you thin+ !e *ould, %hilip In t!o of three days ti"e



I should thin+ !e *ould sail ;o-;os (oat all ri'ht (y then, said %hilip$ Its easy

enou'h on*e youve 'ot the +na*+ and are /ui*+ enou'h$ I" 'ettin' to +no! the

feel of the !ind, and its stren'th really feelin' at ho"e in the (oat$ %oor :u*y-Ann

never !ill, thou'h$ :oo+ ho! 'reen shes 'one$

I" all ri'ht, said :u*y-Ann valiantly$ They had run into a *hoppy pat*h, and poor:u*y-Anns tu""y didnt li+e it$ But nothin' !ould ever persuade her to let the

others 'o !ithout her, even if she +ne! she !as 'oin' to feel si*+ all the ti"e$ :u*y-

Ann had plenty of plu*+$

The *hildren furled the sail after a ti"e and 'ot out the oars$ They *arefully

re"e"(ered their pro"ise and did not 'o very far a!ay$ They thou'ht it !ould (e a

'ood thin' to pra*tise ro!in' for a !hile, too$

o all of the" too+ turns, and soon they *ould pull the (oat alon' !ell, and "a+e it

'o any !ay they li+ed, even !ithout the rudder$

Then they put up the sail on*e "ore and sailed to shore, feelin' very proud of

the"selves$ .hen they *a"e near the shore they sa! Bill "u's !avin' to the"$

He had already *o"e (a*+$

They sailed in to the (ea*h, and pulled in the (oat$ Good said Bill$ I !as !at*hin'

you out at sea$ 7ou did very !ell$ Have another 'o to"orro!$

Oh, than+s, said ;a*+$ I suppose !e *ouldnt have a try this afternoon too, *ould

!e 6inah and :u*y-Ann !ouldnt (e a(le to, (e*ause theyve 'ot to do so"ethin'

for Aunt %olly$ But %hilip and I *ould *o"e$

The 'irls +ne! that ;a*+ !anted to see if he and %hilip !ere a(le to "ana'e the(oat (y the"selves, in preparation for 'oin' out alone in ;o-;os (oat$ o they said

nothin', "u*h as they !ould have li+ed to 0oin in, and Bill "u's said yes, the (oys

*ould 'o alon' that afternoon if they li+ed$

I shant *o"e, he said$ I" 'oin' to have a 'o at "y !ireless set$ Its 'one !ron'$

Bill had a "arvellous radio, the 5nest the (oys had ever seen$ It !as set at the (a*+

of the old hut, and there .as no station that Bill *ould not 'et$ He !ould not allo!

the (oys to ta"per !ith it at all$

.ell, !ell (e alon' this afternoon, then, said ;a*+, pleased$ Its a!fully ni*e of you

to lend us your (oat li+e this, Bill$ 9eally it is$

Its a pleasure, said Bill "u's, and 'rinned$ 8i+i i"itated hi"$

Its a pleasure, its a pleasure, its a pleasure, poor old 8i+i, !ipe your feet, never

"ind, never "ind, its a pleasure$



Oh that re"inds "e, said ;a*+, re"e"(erin' his /ueer e#perien*e of the ni'ht

(efore$ Bill, listen to this$ He !ent o2 into a lon' a**ount of his adventure on the

*li2 !ith ;o-;o, and Bill "u's listened !ith the 'reatest attention$

o you sa! li'hts he said$ Out at sea and on the *li2$ ery interestin'$ I dont

!onder you !anted to loo+ into the "atter$ ;o-;o apparently had the sa"e *uriositya(out the"$ .ell, if I "ay 'ive you a (it of advi*e, its this dont 'et up a'ainst ;o-;o

"ore than you *an help$ I dont "u*h li+e the sound of hi"$ He sounds a dan'erous

sort of fello!$

Oh, hes 0ust a (it "ad, and hates *hildren, (ut hes very stupid and I dont thin+

hed really dare to do us "u*h har", said %hilip$ .eve had hi" for years$

Have you really said Bill, interested$ .ell, !ell I e#pe*t your people !ould have a

hard 0o( to 'et anyone in ;o-;os pla*e if he !ent$ All the sa"e (e!are of hi"$

The (oys !ent o2 !ith the t!o 'irls$ %hilip !as rather in*lined to lau'h at Bills

!arnin', (ut ;a*+ too+ it to heart$ He had not for'otten his fear the ni'ht (efore

!hen the (la*+ "an had *au'ht hi"$

I thin+ Bills ri'ht so"eho!, thou'ht ;a*+, !ith a little shiver$ ;o-;o *ould (e a very

dan'erous sort of fello!$

Chapter 1

T9ANGE 6ICOE9IE

The ne#t three days the *hildren !or+ed hard at ro!in' and sailin', until they !ere

perfe*tly at ho"e in Bills (oat, and *ould handle it al"ost as !ell as Bill$ He !as

pleased !ith the"$

I "ust say I do li+e to see *hildren sti*+in' to thin's, even if it "eans hard !or+, he

said$ Even old 8i+i has stu*+ to it too, sittin' on the sail, over-(alan*in' half the

ti"e, (ut not drea"in' of lettin' you 'o (y yourselves$ And as for :u*y-Ann, shes

the (est of the lot, (e*ause she has had to 5'ht sea-si*+ness a 'ood part of theti"e$

That afternoon, havin' 5rst seen that ;o-;o !as safely in the yard at the (a*+ of the

house, pu"pin' up !ater fro" the deep !ell there, the *hildren !ent to e#a"ine ;o-

;os (oat *arefully, to see if they *ould possi(ly handle it the"selves$



They stood and loo+ed at it (o((in' on the !ater$ It !as (i''er than Bills, (ut not

very "u*h$ They felt *ertain they !ould (e all ri'ht in it$

Its a pity 8i+i *ant ro!, said ;a*+$ he *ould ta+e the third pair of oars and !e

*ould 'et alon' 5ne$

Fine, said 8i+i$ Fine$ God save the 8in'$

Idiot, said %hilip a2e*tionately$ He !as as fond of 8i+i as ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann !ere,

and the (ird !ent to hi" readily$ I say, Fre*+les I !onder !hen ;o-;o is 'oin' to to!n

a'ain$ I" lon'in' to try "y hand at the (oat arent you

I should 0ust thin+ so, said ;a*+$ I +eep on and on thin+in' of that Great Au+ I sa!$ I

shant (e happy till Ive seen it *lose to$

Bet you !ont 5nd it, said %hilip$ It !ould (e a!fully funny if you did, thou'h and

*a"e (a*+ !ith it *radled in your ar"s$ .ouldnt 8i+i (e 0ealous

To the *hildrens deli'ht, Aunt %olly announ*ed that ;o-;o !as 'oin' shoppin' the

ne#t day$ o, if you !ant anythin', you "ust tell hi", she said$ He has a lon' list of

thin's to 'et for "e you *an add anythin' you !ant to it, and 'ive hi" the "oney$

They put do!n a ne! tor*h (attery on the list$ 6inah had left her tor*h on one ni'ht

and the (attery !as no! no use$ he "ust have a ne! one$ ;a*+ added another roll

of 5l"$ He had (een ta+in' photo'raphs of the sea-(irds round Cra''y-Tops, and

no! !anted a ne! 5l" to ta+e to the Isle of Gloo" !ith hi"$

They !aited an#iously for ;o-;o to depart the ne#t day$ He see"ed irritatin'ly slo!$

He started up the *ar at last and (a*+ed it out of the tu"(ledo!n shed !here itlived$ No! dont you *hildren 'et into "is*hief !hiles I" 'one, he said, his (la*+

fa*e turned suspi*iously to!ards the"$ %erhaps he sensed that they !ere !ishin'

hi" to (e 'one for reasons of their o!n$

.e never 'et into "is*hief, said %hilip$ Have a 'ood ti"e and dont hurry (a*+$ It

!ill (e pleasant !ithout you, for a *han'e$

;o-;o s*o!led, put his foot on the a**elerator and shot o2 at his usual (rea+ne*+

speed$ Cant thin+ ho! the old *ar stands those (u"ps and 0er+s, said %hilip,

!at*hin' it 'o a*ross the *li2 and disappear do!n to the road on the other side$

.ell hes 'one$ No!, !hat a(out it Our *han*e has *o"e$

In 'reat e#*ite"ent the *hildren ran do!n to the (ea*h, and "ade their !ay to the

(i' (oat$ The (oys 'ot in$ 6inah untied the rope and 'ave it a push$

Ta+e *are of yourselves, *alled :u*y-Ann an#iously, lon'in' to 0u"p into the (oat

!ith the"$ 6o ta+e *are of yourselves$



O+ay yelled (a*+ ;a*+, and 8i+i e*hoed the !ord$ O+ay, o+ay, o+ay, shut the door

and !ipe your feet

The 'irls !at*hed the (oys ro!in' hard, and then they sa! the" put up the sail as

soon as they !ere out on the open sea$ There !as a 'ood !ind and they !ere soon

"ovin' alon' at a 5ne speed$

O2 to the Isle of Gloo", said :u*y-Ann$ .ell, I hope ;a*+ (rin's (a*+ the Great Au+$

He !ont, said 6inah, !hose *o""on sense told her that it !ould indeed (e a

"ira*le if he did$ .ell, I hope they 5nd the entran*e to those a!ful ro*+s all ri'ht$

They see" to (e "ana'in' the (oat !ell, dont they

7es, said :u*y-Ann, strainin' her eyes to follo! the (oat, !hi*h !as no! (e*o"in'

di3*ult to see, o!in' to a ha)e over the !ater$ The Isle of Gloo" *ould not (e seen

at all$ Oh dear I do hope theyll 'et on !ell$

The (oys !ere havin' a 5ne ti"e$ They found that althou'h ;o-;os (oat !as heavierand "ore a!+!ard to "ana'e than Bills it !as not really di3*ult$ There !as /uite

enou'h !ind and they !ere si"ply rushin' throu'h the !ater$ It !as "ost

e#hilaratin' to feel the up-and-do!n "ove"ent, and to hear the !ind in the taut

sail, and see the !aves ra*in' (y$

Nothin' li+e a (oat, said ;a*+ happily$ One day Ill have one of "y o!n$

They *ost a lot of "oney, said %hilip$

.ell, Ill "a+e a lot, then, said ;a*+$ Then Ill (uy a 5ne (oat of "y o!n, and 'o

sailin' o2 to distant islands inha(ited (y nothin' (ut (irds, and !ont I have a"arvellous ti"e

I !ish !e *ould see the island, said %hilip$ This ha)e is a nuisan*e$ I hope !ere

'oin' in the ri'ht dire*tion$

Before they sa! the island, they heard the thunderin' of the !aves on the rin' of

ro*+s around it$ Then /uite suddenly, after !hat see"ed a very lon' ti"e, the island

loo"ed up, and the (oys felt the spray fro" the (rea+in' !aves fallin' 5nely around

the"$

:oo+ out !ere headin' strai'ht for the ro*+s *ried %hilip in alar"$ Ta+e do!n the

sail$ .ell have to ro!$ .e *ant "ana'e the (oat in this !ind its 'ot too stron'$

hes 'oin' too fast$

They too+ do!n the sail, 'ot out the oars and (e'an to ro!$ ;a*+ tried to see the

hi'h hill$ But it !as "u*h "ore di3*ult to spot the hill in reality than it had (een to

see it on the "ap$ The hills see"ed "ore or less the sa"e si)e$ The (oys ro!ed

round the rin' of ro*+s, +eepin' !ell out of rea*h of the *urrent that s!ept to!ards

the island$



Theres a hi'h hill see, to the left, suddenly said ;a*+$ %ull to!ards there, Tufty$

Thats ri'ht$ I (elieve thats the one !e !ant$

They pulled hard at their oars, pantin' and perspirin'$ Then, as the hill *a"e ri'ht

into vie!, the (oys sa!, to their deli'ht, a 'ap in the rin' of ro*+s a narro! 'ap, it is

true, (ut de*idedly an openin' throu'h !hi*h a (oat "i'ht pass$

No! *areful, !arned %hilip$ This is the tri*+y (it$ .at*h out$ .e "ay 'et s!un' o2

our *ourse and run into the ro*+s$ And any!ay, althou'h there are none sho!in'

0ust there, in the 'ap, there "i'ht (e so"e 0ust (elo! the !ater that !ould rip the

(otto" fro" our (oat$ Careful, Fre*+les, *areful

;a*+ !as very *areful$ Everythin' depended on 'ettin' safely throu'h the 'ap$ The

(oys, their fa*es strained and an#ious, ro!ed *autiously$ 8i+i didnt say a !ord$ he

+ne! that the (oys !ere !orried$

The 'ap or passa'e !as narro! (ut lon'$ It !as an#ious !or+ 'ettin' the (oat

throu'h$ arious stron' *urrents see"ed to (e doin' their (est to drive her to this

side or that, and on*e the (oys felt the (otto" (ein' s*raped (y so"e ro*+ that

!as not far (elo! the !ater$

That !as a narro! shave, said %hilip, in a lo! voi*e$ 6id you hear that nasty

s*rape

I felt it too, said ;a*+$ Hallo !e see" to (e all ri'ht no!$ I say, ho! "arvellous, Tufty

!ere in a *hannel of perfe*tly *al" !ater

Beyond the rin' of ro*+s !as a *hannel or "oat of (rilliant (lue, *al" !ater,

'lea"in' in the su""er sun$ It !as stran'e to see it after the tur(ulen*e of the!aves that ra*ed over the ro*+s$ They *ould hear the thunder of these still$

Not far to the island no!, said %hilip, thrilled$ Co"e on I" fri'htfully tired at least

"y ar"s are (ut !e si"ply "ust 'et to land$ I" lon'in' to e#plore$

They loo+ed a(out for a 'ood landin'-pla*e$ The island !as very ro*+y indeed, (ut

in one pla*e there !as a tiny *ove !here sand 'lea"ed$ The (oys de*ided to land

there$

It !as /uite easy to land and haul the (oat a little !ay up the (ea*h, thou'h it too+

all the (oys stren'th to pull it up$ But Bill had sho!n the" the +na*+ of haulin',

and soon they !ere free to e#plore the deserted island$

They *li"(ed the ro*+y *li2 (ehind the little *ove, and 'a)ed over that side of the

Isle of Gloo"$

It !as the nu"(er of (irds that 5rst too+ the (oys attention$ There !ere thousands

upon thousands, all +inds, all si)es, all shapes$ The noise they "ade !as



tre"endous$ They too+ little noti*e of the (oys, !ho stood !at*hin' the" in

!onder$

But they !ere not as ta"e as they had hoped$ ittin' (irds <e! a!ay as soon as

the (oys !ent near$ They see"ed as !ild as those at Cra''y-Tops$ ;a*+ !as

disappointed$

Funny he said$ I al!ays thou'ht that (irds on a deserted island, !here no "en

ever *a"e, !ere *o"pletely ta"e$ It says so in all "y (oo+s, any!ay$ These are

/uite !ild$ They !ont let us 'o really near the"$

There !ere fe! trees to (e seen, and !hat there !ere 're! in sheltered spots, (ent

over side!ays (y the !ind that (le! a*ross the island$ 4nderfoot !as a +ind of !iry

'rass !hi*h 're! in tufted pat*hes here and there$ But even that did not 'ro!

every!here, and the (are ro*+ thrust up in "any pla*es$

The (oys left the *li2 and !al+ed inland, the *ries of the thousands of (irds in their

ears$ They "ade their !ay to!ards the hill that to!ered up in the *entre of the isle$

I !ant to see !hat those funny (uildin's are that I sa! throu'h the 'lasses, said

;a*+, re"e"(erin'$ And oh dear, I do !ant to 5nd a Great Au+$ I havent seen a si'n

of one yet$ I +eep on loo+in' and loo+in'$

%oor ;a*+ !as in a terri(le state of e#*ite"ent, e#pe*tin' to see a Great Au+ at any

"o"ent, and, instead, seein' all +inds of (irds he had already seen at Cra''y-Tops$

It !as disappointin'$ He hadnt e#pe*ted to see a pro*ession of Great Au+s (ut one,

0ust one, !ould have (een "arvellous$

There !ere plenty of (i' ra)or(ills !ith their *uriously-shaped (ea+s, plenty of

s+uas, 'ulls, *or"orants and other (irds$ It !as a paradise of sea-(irds, and ;a*+

!as lost in !onder at the nu"(er of the"$ Ho! he !ould li+e to spend a fe! days

on this island, !at*hin' and ta+in' photo'raphs

They *a"e to the hills, and found a pass (et!een the"$ Here there !as "ore 'rass

and a fe! tiny !ild <o!ers, sea-pin+s and others$ One or t!o stunted (ir*hes 're!

on the hillsides$

Bet!een the hills lay a s"all valley, and in it !as a strea", runnin' o2 to the sea on

the other side of the island$ The (oys !ent to have a loo+ at it (e*ause it see"ed

rather a *urious *olour$

It *ertainly !as a stran'e *olour$ ort of *oppery-red, said ;a*+, pu))led$ I !onder

!hy$ I say, loo+ there are those /ueer (uildin's, up on that hill$ And do you noti*e,

Tufty, ho! the ro*+s *han'e in *olour here They are not (la*+ any "ore, (ut

reddish$ And so"e of the" loo+ li+e 'ranite$ Its /ueer, isnt it



I dont thin+ I li+e this island "u*h, said %hilip, !ith a shudder$ It feels lonely and

/ueer and sort of (ad$

7ouve (een listenin' to old ;o-;os tales too "u*h, said ;a*+, !ith a lau'h, thou'h

he hi"self did not li+e the feel of the island either$ It !as so "ournful and desolate,

and the only sounds to (e heard so far inland !ere the in*essant *ries of the sea-(irds *ir*lin' overhead$

They *li"(ed half-!ay up a hill to see the (uildin's$ It !as di3*ult to "a+e out

!hat they !ere, they !ere so old and (ro+en-do!n not "u*h "ore than heaps of

stones or ro*+s$ They did not loo+ as if they ever *ould have (een pla*es to live in$

And then, *lose to one of these (uildin's, %hilip dis*overed so"ethin' /ueer$ He

*alled to ;a*+ in e#*ite"ent$

I say Co"e and loo+ here Theres a terri5* hole 'oin' ri'ht do!n into the earth

si"ply terri5*ally deep

;a*+ ran over to the hole and peered do!n it$ It !as a lar'e hole, a(out si# feet

round, and it !ent so far do!n into the earth that the (oys *ould not possi(ly see

the (otto" of it$

.hats it for said %hilip$ Is it a !ell, do you thin+

The (oys dropped a stone do!n to see if they *ould hear a splash$ But none *a"e$

Either it !as not a !ell, or it !as so deep that the sound of the splash *ould not (e

heard$

I shouldnt li+e to fall do!n there, said %hilip$ :oo+ theres a ladder 'oin' do!na!fully old and (ro+en (ut still, a ladder$

Its a "ystery, said ;a*+, pu))led$ :ets 'o and loo+ around a (it$ .e "i'ht 5nd

so"ethin' to help us to *lear up su*h a /ueer pro(le"$ A shaft 'oin' ri'ht do!n

into the depths of the earth, in a lonely island li+e this .hatever !as it "ade for

Chapter 1

;O-;O I ANG97

To the (oys intense surprise, they found "ore of the deep, narro! holes, all of the"

near the *urious old (uildin's$ They *ant (e !ells, said ;a*+$ Thats i"possi(le$

No-one !ould !ant so "any$ They "ust (e shafts, sun+ do!n deep into the earth

here, for so"e 'ood reason$



6o you thin+ there !ere "ines as+ed %hilip, re"e"(erin' that *oal-"ines al!ays

had shafts (ored do!n throu'h the earth, so that "en "i'ht 'o do!n and 'et the

*oal$ 6o you thin+ there are old "ines here Coal-"ines, for instan*e

No, not *oal, said ;a*+$ I *ant i"a'ine !hat$ .ell have to 5nd out$ I e#pe*t your

un*le +no!s$ .ouldnt it (e e#*itin' if it !as a 'old-"ine 7ou never +no!$

.ell, it "ust have (een !or+ed out hundreds of years a'o, said %hilip$ There

!ouldnt (e any 'old left no!, or it !ould still (e !or+ed$ I say shall !e 'o do!n and

see !hat there is to (e seen

I dont +no!, said ;a*+ dou(tfully$ The old ladders arent "u*h 'ood, are they .e

"i'ht fall hundreds of feet do!n and that !ould (e the end of us$

.hat a pity, !hat a pity re"ar+ed 8i+i$

7es, it !ould (e a pity, said %hilip, !ith a 'rin$ .ell, perhaps !ed (etter not$ Hallo

heres another shaft, ;a*+ a (it (i''er one$

The (oys peered do!n this (i' one$ It had a "u*h (etter ladder than the others$

They !ent do!n it a little !ay, feelin' very darin'$ They soon *a"e up a'ain, for

they did not li+e the dar+ness and the shut-in feelin'$

And then they "ade a dis*overy that surprised the" even "ore than the shafts$ Not

far o2, piled under an overhan'in' (it of ro*+, !ere so"e e"pty "eat and fruit tins$

This !as su*h an e#traordinary 5nd that the (oys *ould hardly (elieve their eyes$

They stood and stared at the tins, and 8i+i <e! do!n to inspe*t the" to see if there

!as anythin' left to eat$

.here do you suppose those *a"e fro" said ;a*+ at last$ .hat a /ueer thin'

o"e are very rusty (ut others see" /uite ne!$ .ho *ould *o"e to this island and

!hy and !here do they live

Its a "ystery, said %hilip$ :ets have a 0olly 'ood loo+ all round it !hilst !ere here,

and see if !e *an 5nd anyone$ Better 'o *arefully, (e*ause its /uite plain that

!hoever lives here doesnt !ant it +no!n$

o the (oys "ade a *areful tour of the island, (ut sa! nothin' and no(ody that

*ould e#plain the "ystery of the pile of tins$ They !ondered at the red ro*+s on the

sea!ard side of the island, and a'ain pu))led over the reddish *olour of the strea"

that ran into the sea there$ There !ere "any "ore (irds on the sea!ard side, and

;a*+ +ept a sharp loo+-out for the Great Au+$ But he did not see one, !hi*h !as very

disappointin'$

Arent you 'oin' to ta+e any photos as+ed %hilip$ 7ou said you !ere$ Hurry up,

(e*ause !e ou'htnt to (e "u*h lon'er$



7es Ill ta+e a fe!, said ;a*+, and hid (ehind a *onvenient ro*+ to snap a fe! youn'

(irds$ Then, havin' one "ore 5l" left, a thou'ht stru*+ hi"$

Ill ta+e a snap of that pile of tins, he said$ The 'irls "i'htnt (elieve us if !e (rin'

ho"e su*h a /ueer tale, (ut theyll (elieve it all ri'ht if !e sho! the" the photo$

o he snapped the pile of tins too, and then, !ith one last loo+ do!n the (i', silent

shaft, the (oys "ade their !ay (a*+ to the (oat$ There it lay, 0ust out of rea*h of the

!ater$

.ell, lets hope !e "a+e as 'ood a trip ho"e as !e did *o"in' out, said ;a*+$ I

!onder if ;o-;o is (a*+ yet$ I hope to 'oodness that the 'irls have dealt !ith hi"

so"eho! if he is$

They pulled the (oat into the !ater and 'ot in$ They ro!ed over the s"ooth "oat to

the e#it (et!een the ro*+s, !here spray !as (ein' sent hi'h into the air fro" !aves

(rea+in' on either side$ They "ana'ed to avoid the ro*+ that had s*raped the

(otto" of the (oat (efore, and ro!ed /uite easily out of the passa'e$

They had so"e trou(le 0ust outside, !here the sea !as very *hoppy indeed$ The

!ind had *han'ed a little, and the sea !as rou'her$ They put up the sail and ran

ho"e in 'reat style, e#ultin' in the feel of the !ind on their *hee+s and the spray

on their fa*es$

As they 'ot near the shore after their lon' run, they sa! the t!o 'irls !aitin' for

the", and they !aved$ 6inah and :u*y-Ann !aved (a*+$ oon the (oat slid to its

"oorin'-pla*e and the (oys 'ot out and tied it up$

6id you 5nd the Great Au+ *ried :u*y-Ann$

Is ;o-;o (a*+ as+ed %hilip$

7ouve (een a'es, said 6inah, i"patient to hear everythin'$

.eve had a 5ne adventure, said %hilip$ Is ;o-;o (a*+

All these /uestions !ere as+ed at the sa"e "o"ent$ The "ost i"portant one !as

!as ;o-;o (a*+

7es, said 6inah, !ith a 'i''le$ He *a"e (a*+ a(out an hour a'o$ .e !ere !at*hin'

for hi"$ :u*+ily, he !ent strai'ht do!n into the *ellar !ith so"e (o#es he (rou'ht(a*+ in the *ar, and !e follo!ed hi"$ He opened that inner door and !ent into the

(a*+ *ellar !ith the (o#es the *ellar !here the trap-door is and !e re"e"(ered

!here youd put the +ey of that door, 'ot it, and lo*+ed hi" in$ Hes (an'in' a!ay

there li+e anythin'$



Good for you said the (oys, pleased$ No! he !ont +no! !eve (een out in his

(oat$ But ho! on earth are !e 'oin' to let hi" out !ithout his +no!in' !eve lo*+ed

hi" in

7oull have to thin+ of so"ethin', said 6inah$ The (oys !al+ed up to the house,

thin+in' hard$

.ed (etter slip do!n /uietly and unlo*+ the door !hen hes havin' a rest, said

%hilip at last$ He *ant +eep (an'in' at the door for ever$ As soon as he stops for a

(it of rest, Ill /uietly put the +ey in the lo*+ and unlo*+ the door$ Then Ill slip

upstairs a'ain$ The ne#t ti"e he tries the door, it !ill open (ut he !ont +no! !hy$

Good said the others, pleased$ It see"ed a very si"ple !ay of settin' ;o-;o free

!ithout his 'uessin' that it had anythin' to do !ith the"$

%hilip too+ the +ey and !ent do!n into the *ellar as /uietly as he *ould$ As soon as

he 'ot do!n there he heard ;o-;o ha""erin' on the door$ The (oy !aited till he had

stopped for (reath, and then pushed the (i' +ey /uietly into the lo*+$ He heard ;o-;o

*ou'hin', and turned the +ey at the sa"e "o"ent, and then !ithdre! it$ The door

!as unlo*+ed no! ;o-;o *ould *o"e out !hen he !anted to$ %hilip shot a*ross the

*ellar, ran up the steps, out into the +it*hen, and 0oined the others$

Hell (e out in a "inute, he panted$ :ets slip up on to the *li2, and as soon as !e

see ;o-;o a'ain, !ell !al+ do!n to the house, pretendin' !e are 0ust (a*+ fro" a

!al+$ That !ill pu))le hi" properly$

o they all ran up to the *li2, lay do!n on the top, and peeped over to see !hen ;o-

;o appeared$ In lo! voi*es the (oys told the 'irls all they had found on the Isle of

Gloo"$

The t!o 'irls listened in a"a)e"ent$ 6eep holes in the earth a strea" that !as red

a pile of food tins ho! very /ueer No-one had e#pe*ted anythin' li+e that$ It !as

(irds they had 'one to see$

.e si"ply "ust 'o (a*+ a'ain and 5nd out !hat those shafts lead do!n to, said

;a*+$ .ell 5nd out, too, if there !ere on*e "ines of so"e sort there$ %erhaps your

4n*le ;o*elyn !ould +no!, 6inah$

7es, he !ould, said 6inah$ Golly, I !ish !e *ould 'et hold of that old "ap of the

island he spo+e a(out the one he *ouldnt 5nd$ It "i'ht sho! us all +inds ofinterestin' thin's, "i'htnt it

8i+i suddenly 'ave one of her e#press-train s*ree*hes, !hi*h "eant she had si'hted

her ene"y, ;o-;o$ The *hildren sa! hi" do!n (elo!, loo+in' all round, evidently for

the"$ They s*ra"(led to their feet and !al+ed 0auntily do!n the path to the house$



;o-;o sa! the" and *a"e to "eet the", fury in his (la*+ fa*e$ 7ou lo*+ed "e in, he

said$ Ill tell &iss %olly of you$ 7ou ou'ht to (e !hipped$

:o*+ed you in said %hilip, puttin' a loo+ of sheer a"a)e"ent on his fa*e$ .here

did !e lo*+ you in Into your roo"

6o!n in the *ellar, said ;o-;o, in a furious voi*e$ Heres &iss %olly$ Ill tell of you$

&iss %olly, these *hildren lo*+ed "e into the *ellar$

6ont tal+ nonsense, said Aunt %olly$ 7ou +no! there is no lo*+ on the *ellar door$

The *hildren have (een for a !al+ loo+ at the" 0ust *o"in' (a*+ to the house ho!

*an you say they lo*+ed you in 7ou "ust (e "ad$

They lo*+ed "e in, said ;o-;o sul+ily, suddenly re"e"(erin' that the inner *ellar

!as his o!n se*ret pla*e and that he had (etter not 'o into any details, or Aunt

%olly !ould 'o do!n and dis*over the door he had so *arefully hidden$

I didnt lo*+ hi" in, Aunt %olly, said %hilip earnestly$ Ive (een ever so far a!ay all"ornin'$

o have I, said ;a*+, /uite truthfully$ Aunt %olly (elieved the", and as she +ne! that

the four *hildren !ere al!ays to'ether, she i"a'ined that the 'irls had (een !ith

the"$ o ho! *ould any of the" have played a tri*+ on ;o-;o And any!ay, thou'ht

Aunt %olly, there !as no lo*+ on the door to the *ellar, so !hat in the !ide !orld did

;o-;o "ean He really "ust (e 'oin' o2 his head$

Go and do your !or+, ;o-;o, she said sharply$ 7ou al!ays see" to have your +nife

into the *hildren, a**usin' the" of this and that$ :eave the" alone$ Theyre 'ood

*hildren$

;o-;o thou'ht other!ise$ He 'ave one of his fa"ous s*o!ls, "ade an an'ry noise,

(eautifully *opied (y 8i+i, and returned to the +it*hen$

6ont ta+e any noti*e of hi", said Aunt %olly$ Hes a (it *ra)y, I thin+, and very (ad-

te"pered, (ut hes /uite har"less$

The *hildren !ent (a*+ into the house, !in+in' at one another$ It !as ni*e to have

Aunt %olly on their side$ All the sa"e, ;o-;o !as pilin' up 'rievan*es a'ainst the"$

They "ust loo+ out$

Funny, thou'ht ;a*+$ Aunt %olly says ;o-;o is /uite har"less and Bill "u's says

hes a dan'erous fello!$ One of the" is *ertainly !ron'$

Chapter 1K



OFF TO THE I:AN6 AGAIN

.hat should (e done ne#t hould they tell Bill "u's of their adventure .ould he

(e an'ry (e*ause they had evaded their pro"ise, !ithout a*tually (rea+in' it, and

'one out to the island in so"eone elses (oat The *hildren de*ided that he "i'ht

(e very an'ry$ He had 'reat ideas of honor and pro"ises and +eepin' ones !ord$

.ell, so have !e, said ;a*+$ I !ouldnt have (ro+en "y pro"ise$ I didnt$ I 0ust found

a !ay round it$

.ell, you +no! !hat 'ro!n-ups are, said 6inah$ They dont thin+ the sa"e !ay as

!e do$ I e#pe*t !hen !e 'ro! up, !e shall thin+ li+e the" (ut lets hope !e

re"e"(er !hat it !as li+e to thin+ in the !ay *hildren do, and understand the (oys

and 'irls that are 'ro!in' up !hen !ere "en and !o"en$

7oure tal+in' li+e a 'ro!n-up already, said %hilip in dis'ust$ top it$

6ont tal+ to "e li+e that, <ared 6inah$ ;ust (e*ause I !as tal+in' a (it of sense$

hut up, said %hilip, and 'ot a (o# on the ear fro" 6inah i""ediately$ He 'ave her

a slap that sounded li+e a pistol-shot and she yelled$

Beast he said$ 7ou +no! (oys shouldnt hit 'irls$

I shouldnt hit ordinary de*ent 'irls, li+e :u*y-Ann, said %hilip$ But youre 0ust too

(ad-te"pered for !ords$ 7ou ou'ht to +no! (y no! that if you (o# "y ears youll

'et a 0olly 'ood slap$ erves you ri'ht$

;a*+, tell hi" hes a (east, said 6inah (ut ;a*+, althou'h he never did hit a 'irl,

*ouldnt help a'reein' that 6inah deserved !hat she often 'ot$

7ou should +eep your hands to yourself, he said to her$ 7oure too /ui*+ at dishin'

out ear-(o#es, and you ou'ht to +no! (y no! that %hilip !ont stand for it$

Clear out and 'et over your (ad te"per, said %hilip, his ear stin'in' and 'oin' very

red$ :u*y-Ann loo+ed distressed$ he hated these /uarrels (et!een the (rother and

sister$ Go on, *lear out, said %hilip$ He put his hand into his po*+et and pulled out a

(o# in !hi*h he had +ept an e#traordinarily ta"e (eetle for days$ 6inah +ne! he

"eant to open the (o# and put the (eetle *lose to her$ he 'ave a s*rea" andrushed out of the roo"$

%hilip put the (o# (a*+ into his po*+et, after lettin' the enor"ous (eetle have a run

on the ta(le$ .henever he held out his 5n'er the (eetle ran to it in deli'ht$ It really

!as a"a)in' the !ay all *reatures li+ed %hilip$

7ou ou'htnt to +eep it in a (o#, said :u*y-Ann$ I" sure it hates it$



.ell, !at*h then, said %hilip, and put the (o# out on the ta(le a'ain$ He opened it,

too+ out the (eetle, and put it at the other end of the (i' ta(le$ He put the (o#, !ith

its lid a little !ay open, on to the "iddle of the ta(le$ The (eetle, havin' e#plored

the top of the ta(le thorou'hly, "ade its !ay to the (o#, e#a"ined it, and then

*li"(ed into it and settled do!n pea*efully$

There you are aid %hilip, shuttin' the (o# and puttin' it (a*+ into his po*+et$ It

!ouldnt 'o deli(erately (a*+ into its (o# if it hated it, !ould it

.ell it "ust (e (e*ause it li+es (ein' !ith you, said :u*y-Ann$ &ost (eetles !ould

hate it$

%hilip is a friend to everythin', said ;a*+, !ith a 'rin$ I (elieve he *ould train <eas

and +eep a *ir*us of the"$

I shouldnt li+e that, said :u*y-Ann, loo+in' dis'usted$ Oh dear, I !onder !here

6inah has 'one o2 to$ I !ish you !ouldnt /uarrel li+e this$ .e !ere havin' su*h a

ni*e tal+ a(out !hat to do ne#t$

6inah had left the roo" in a ra'e, her ar" stin'in' fro" %hilips slap$ he !andered

do!n the passa'e that led to her un*les roo", thin+in' up horrid thin's to do to her

(rother$ uddenly her un*les study door opened and he peered out$

Oh, 6inah is that you The in+-pot here is e"pty, he said, in a peevish voi*e$ .hy

doesnt so"e(ody 5ll it

Ill 'et the in+-(ottle for you, said 6inah, and !ent to 'et it fro" her aunts

*up(oard$ he too+ it to the study and 5lled her un*les in+-pot$ As she turned to 'o,

she noti*ed a "ap on a *hair near (y$ It !as the one that her un*le *ould not 5nd(efore the lar'e one of the Isle of Gloo"$ The little 'irl loo+ed at it !ith interest$

Oh, 4n*le heres that "ap you told us a(out$ 4n*le, do tell "e used there to (e

"ines on the island

No!, !here did you hear that said her un*le, astonished$ Thats old history$ 7es,

there used to (e "ines, hundreds of years a'o$ Copper-"ines ri*h ones too$ But

they !ere all !or+ed out a'es a'o$ Theres no *opper there no!$

6inah pored over the "ap$ To her deli'ht it sho!ed !here the shafts !ere, that ran

deep do!n into the earth$ Ho! the (oys !ould li+e to see that "ap

Her un*le turned to his !or+, for'ettin' all a(out 6inah$ he pi*+ed up the "ap and

slipped out of the roo" very /uietly$ Ho! pleased %hilip !ould (e !ith the "ap

he had for'otten all her an'er$ That !as the (est part a(out 6inah she (ore no

"ali*e, and her furies !ere soon over$ he ran do!n the passa'e to the roo" !here

she had left the others$ he <un' open the door and (urst in$



The others !ere a"a)ed to see her s"ilin' and e#*ited fa*e$ :u*y-Ann *ould never

'et used to the /ui*+ *han'es in 6inahs "oods$ %hilip loo+ed at her dou(tfully, not

s"ilin'$

6inah re"e"(ered the /uarrel$ Oh, she said, I" sorry I (o#ed your ears, %hilip$

:oo+ here Ive 'ot that old "ap of the island$ .hat do you thin+ of that And 4n*le ;o*elyn told "e there !ere "ines there, on*e *opper ones very ri*h$ But they are all

!or+ed out no!$ o those shafts "ust on*e have led do!n to the "ines$

Golly aid %hilip, ta+in' the "ap fro" 6inahs hands and spreadin' it out$ .hat a

"ap Oh, 6inah, you are *lever

He 'ave his sister a s/uee)e and 6inah 'lo!ed$ he /uarreled !ith her (rother

*ontinually, (ut she loved 'ettin' a !ord of praise fro" hi"$ The four *hildren (ent

over the "ap$

Theres the 'ap in the ro*+s as plain as anythin', said 6inah$ The (oys nodded$

It "ust al!ays have (een there, said ;a*+$ I suppose thats the only !ay the old

"iners *ould use to 'o to and fro" the island$ Ho! thrillin' to thin+ of their (oats

'oin' and *o"in' ta+in' food there, (rin'in' (a*+ *opper Golly, Id li+e to 'o do!n

and see !hat they are li+e$

:oo+, all the old shafts are "ar+ed, said %hilip, and he pla*ed his 5n'ers on the"$

Theres the one !e "ust have found those tins near, Fre*+les, loo+ And heres the

strea"$ And no! I +no! !hy its red$ Its *olored (y the *opper deposits still in the

hills, I (et$

.ell, perhaps there is still *opper there then, said 6inah, in 'reat e#*ite"ent$Copper nu''ets Oooh, I !ish !e *ould 5nd so"e$

Copper is found in veins, said %hilip, (ut I thin+ its found !hole, in nu''ets too$

They "i'ht (e valua(le$ I say shall !e, 0ust for a lar+, 'o a*ross to the island, 'o

do!n to the "ines, and hunt a(out a (it .ho +no!s, !e "i'ht 5nd nu''ets of

*opper$

There !ont (e any, said ;a*+$ No-one !ould leave a "ine if there !as still *opper to

(e !or+ed$ Its (een deserted for hundreds of years$

Theres so"ethin' stu*+ on to the (a*+ of the "ap, said :u*y-Ann suddenly$ The

*hildren turned it over, and sa! a s"aller "ap fastened to the lar'er one$ They

s"oothed it out to loo+ at it$ At 5rst they *ould not "a+e head or tail of it and then

%hilip 'ave an e#*la"ation$



Of *ourse Its an under'round "ap of the island a "ap of the "ines$ :oo+ at these

passa'es and 'alleries and these drainin'-*hannels to ta+e a!ay !ater$ Golly, parts

of these "ines are (elo! the level of the sea$

It !as !eird to loo+ at a "ap that sho!ed the "a)e of tunnels under the surfa*e of

the island$ There had evidently (een a vast area "ined, so"e of it under the seaitself$

This se*tion is ri'ht under the (ed of the sea, said ;a*+, pointin'$ Ho! /ueer to !or+

there, and +no! that all the ti"e the sea is heavin' a(ove the ro*+y *eilin' over

your head

I shouldnt li+e it, said :u*y-Ann, shiverin'$ Id (e afraid it !ould (rea+ throu'h and

<ood !here I !as !or+in'$

:oo+ here, !e si"ply "ust 'o over to the island a'ain, said %hilip e#*itedly$ 6o you

+no! !hat I thin+ I thin+ that people are !or+in' in those "ines no!$

.hatever "a+es you thin+ that aid 6inah$

.ell, those food tins, said %hilip$ o"eone eats food there, out of tins$ And !e

*ouldnt see the" any!here, *ould !e o it "ust (e that they !ere do!n in the

"ines, !or+in'$ I (et you thats the solution of the "ystery$

:ets 'o over to Bill and tell hi" all a(out it to"orro!, and ta+e this "ap to sho!

hi", said 6inah, thrilled$ He !ill tell us !hat to do$ I dont feel li+e e#plorin' the

"ines (y ourselves$ I so"eho! feel Id li+e Bill !ith us$

No, said ;a*+ suddenly$ .e !ont tell Bill$

The others loo+ed at hi" in surprise$

.hy ever not 6e"anded 6inah$

.ell (e*ause Ive suddenly 'ot an idea, said ;a*+$ I (elieve its a friend of Bills or

friends !or+in' in those "ines$ I (elieve Bills *o"e here to (e near the" to ta+e

food over and that sort of thin'$ I (et he uses his (oat for that$ It "ust (e a se*ret, I

should thin+$ .ell he !ouldnt (e too pleased if !e +ne! his se*ret$ Hed never let

us 'o out in his (oat a'ain$

But, ;a*+ youre e#a''eratin'$ Bills only *o"e for a holiday$ Hes (ird-!at*hin', said%hilip$

He doesnt really do "u*h (ird-!at*hin', said ;a*+$ And thou'h he listens to "e

!hen I rave a(out the (irds here, he doesnt tal+ "u*h a(out the" hi"self not li+e I

!ould if so"eone 'ave "e the *han*e$ And !e dont +no! !hat his (usiness is$

Hes never told us$ I (et you anythin' you li+e that he and his friends are tryin' to

!or+ a *opper-"ine over on the island$ I dont +no! !ho the "ines (elon' to if they



do (elon' to anyone (ut I 'uess if it !as suspe*ted that there !as still *opper there

the people !ho "ade the dis*overy !ould +eep it se*ret on the *han*e of "inin'

so"e 'ood *opper nu''ets the"selves$

;a*+ paused, /uite out of (reath$ 8i+i "ur"ured the ne! !ord she had heard$

Copper, *opper, *opper$ pare a *opper, *opper, *opper$

Isnt she *lever aid :u*y-Ann$

But no-one paid any attention to 8i+i$ The "atters (ein' dis*ussed !ere far too

i"portant to (e interrupted (y a parrot$

:ets as+ Bill "u's strai'ht out, su''ested 6inah, !ho al!ays li+ed to 'et thin's

*lear$ he disli+ed "ysteries that *ouldnt (e solved$

6ont (e an ass, said %hilip$ ;a*+s already told you !hy it !ould (e (est not to let

Bill +no! !e +no! his se*ret$ &ay(e hell tell us hi"self one day and !ont he (esurprised to +no! that !e 'uessed it

.ell 'o over in ;o-;os (oat a'ain soon, said ;a*+$ .ell 'o do!n that (i' shaft and

e#plore a (it$ .ell soon 5nd out if anyone is there$ .ell ta+e this "ap !ith us so

that !e dont lose our !ay$ It sho!s the under'round passa'es and 'alleries very

*learly$

It !as e#*itin' to tal+ over these se*rets$ .hen *ould they 'o o2 to the island

a'ain hould they ta+e the 'irls this ti"e or not

.ell, I thin+ !e shall "ana'e even (etter this ti"e, said %hilip$ There !asnt "u*h

dan'er really last ti"e, on*e !e found the passa'e throu'h the rin' of ro*+s$ I"

pretty *ertain !e shall 'et to the island easily ne#t ti"e$ .e "ay as !ell ta+e the

'irls$

6inah and :u*y-Ann !ere thrilled$ They lon'ed for a *han*e to 'o at on*e, (ut ;o-;o

did not leave Cra''y-Tops lon' enou'h for the" to ta+e his (oat$ Ho!ever, he !ent

out in it hi"self t!o or three ti"es$

Are you 'oin' 5shin' as+ed %hilip$ .hy dont you ta+e us !ith you

Not 'oin' to (other "yself !ith *hildren li+e you, said the (la*+ "an, in his surly

!ay, and set o2 in his (oat$ He sailed out su*h a lon' !ay that his (oat disappearedinto the ha)e that al!ays see"ed to han' a(out the !estern hori)on$

He "ay have 'one to the island, for all !e *an see, said ;a*+$ He 0ust disappears$ I

hope he (rin's so"e 5sh (a*+ for supper toni'ht$



He did$ His (oat returned after tea and the *hildren helped to ta+e in a 5ne *at*h of

5sh$ 7ou "i'ht have ta+en us too, you "ean thin', said 6inah$ .e *ould have let

lines do!n as !ell$

The ne#t day ;o-;o departed to the to!n a'ain, "u*h to the *hildrens 0oy$ Hes 'ot

the day o2, said Aunt %olly$ 7ou !ill have to do so"e of his 0o(s$ 7ou (oys *an pu"pup the !ater for the day$

The (oys !ent o2 to the !ell and let do!n the heavy (u*+et, un!indin' the *hain

till the (u*+et rea*hed the !ater$ ;a*+ peered over the ed'e$

;ust li+e one of those shafts over in the island, he said$ .ind up, Tufty here 'oes

The *hildren hurried over all the !or+ that Aunt %olly set the" to do$ Then, "a+in'

*ertain that the *ar !as 'one out of the 'ara'e, they (e''ed a pi*ni* lun*h fro"

Aunt %olly and ra*ed do!n to ;o-;os (oat$

They undid the rope and pushed o2, the t!o (oys ro!in' hard$ As soon as they!ere out on the open sea, up !ent the sail$ O2 !e 'o to the Isle of Gloo", said

6inah, in deli'ht$ Gosh, I" 'lad !ere *o"in' !ith you this ti"e, ;a*+$ It !as

hateful (ein' left (ehind last ti"e$

6id you (rin' the tor*hes as+ed %hilip of :u*y-Ann$ he nodded$ 7es$ Theyre over

there !ith the lun*h$

.e shall need the" do!n the "ines, said %hilip, !ith an air of e#*ite"ent$ .hat an

adventure this !as to (e 'oin' do!n old, old "ines, !here possi(ly "en "i'ht (e

se*retly huntin' for *opper$ %hilip shivered deli*iously !ith e#*ite"ent$

The sailin'-(oat, handled "ost e#pertly (y the four *hildren, !ent alon' !ell and

they "ade very 'ood ti"e indeed$ It did not see" to (e very lon' (efore the island

loo"ed up out of the usual ha)e$

Hear the !aves (an'in' on the ro*+s said ;a*+$ The 'irls nodded$ This !as the

dan'erous part$ They hoped the (oys !ould 5nd the ro*+ passa'e as easily as

(efore, and 'o in safely$

Theres the (i' hill, said ;a*+ suddenly$ 6o!n !ith the sail, 'irls$ Thats ri'ht easy

does it$ :oo+ out for that rope, :u*y-Ann$ No, not that one, thats ri'ht$

The sail !as do!n$ The (oys too+ the oars and (e'an to ro! *autiously to!ards the

'ap in the ro*+s$ They +ne! !here it !as no!$ Into it they !ent, loo+in' out for the

ro*+ that lay near the surfa*e, ready to avoid it$ It did s*rape the (otto" sli'htly

and :u*y-Ann loo+ed fri'htened$ But soon they !ere in the *al" "oat of !ater that

ran 'lea"in' all round the island, (et!een the shore and the rin' of ro*+s$



:u*y-Ann heaved a si'h of relief$ .hat !ith feelin' a (it sea-si*+ and a lot s*ared,

she had 'one /uite pale$ But no! she re*overed /ui*+ly as she sa! the island itself

so near$

They landed safely and pulled the (oat up on to the shore$ No! !e "a+e for the

hills, said ;a*+$ &y !ord, loo+ at the thousands of (irds a'ain I never in "y life sa!su*h a lot$ If only I *ould see that Great Au+

%erhaps Ill see one for you, said :u*y-Ann, !ishin' !ith all her heart that she *ould$

%hilip, !heres that red-*oloured strea" and the pile of tins Any!here near here

7oull see soon, said %hilip, stridin' ahead$ .e 'o throu'h this little pass in the hills$

oon they *ould see the *opper-*oloured strea" runnin' in the valley a"on' the

hills$ ;a*+ paused and too+ his (earin's$ .ait a (it$ .here e#a*tly !as that (i'

shaft

The 'irls had already e#*lai"ed over the other holes in the 'round, and the /ueertu"(ledo!n ere*tions (eside the"$ There "ust have (een so"e sort of shaft-head,

said ;a*+, *onsiderin'$ No!, !heres that pile of tins It !as so"e!here near here$

Oh theres the shaft, 'irls

Everyone hurried to the (i' round hole and peered do!n it$ There !as no dou(t (ut

that the ladder leadin' do!n it !as in very 'ood *ondition$ This is the shaft the "en

are usin', said %hilip$ Its the only one !hose ladder is safe$

6ont tal+ too loudly, said ;a*+, in a lo! voi*e$ 7ou dont +no! ho! sound "i'ht

*arry do!n this shaft$

.here are those tins you told us a(out said :u*y-Ann$

Over there (y that ro*+, said %hilip, pointin'$ Go and see the" if you !ant to$

He shone his tor*h do!n the shaft, (ut *ould see very little$ It loo+ed rather sinister

and for(iddin'$ .hat !as it li+e do!n there .ere there really "en do!n there The

*hildren "ustnt (e dis*overed (y the" 'ro!n-ups !ere al!ays an'ry !hen

*hildren po+ed their noses into "atters that didnt *on*ern the"$

;a*+ I *ant 5nd the tins, said :u*y-Ann$ %hilip "ade an i"patient noise$ Ho! silly

'irls !ere They never *ould 5nd anythin'$ He strode over to sho! the" the pile$

Then he stopped in astonish"ent$ The pla*e under the ro*+ !as e"pty$ There !as

nothin' there at all$ The tins had (een re"oved$

:oo+ at that, ;a*+, said %hilip, for'ettin' to spea+ softly$ All those tins have 'one$

.ho too+ the" .ell that 0ust sho!s there are people on this island people !ho

have (een here sin*e !e last *a"e too$ I say isnt this e#*itin'



Chapter 1L

6O.N IN THE CO%%E9-&INE

:u*y-Ann loo+ed round her fearfully as if she half e#pe*ted to see so"e(ody hidin'

(ehind a ro*+$

I dont li+e to thin+ there "ay (e people here !e dont +no! anythin' a(out, she

said$

6ont (e silly, said ;a*+$ Theyre do!n in the "ines$ hall !e 'o do!n this shaft

no!, and see !hat !e *an dis*over

The 'irls didnt !ant to, (ut :u*y-Ann felt that it !ould (e !orse to stay up a(ove

'round, all alone !ith 6inah, than it !ould (e to 'o do!n and +eep !ith the (oys$

o she said she !ould 'o, and 6inah, !ho !asnt 'oin' to (e left all alone, pro"ptly

said she !ould 'o too$

%hilip spread the "ap of the under'round "ines out on the 'round, and they all

+nelt do!n and studied it$ ee this shaft 'oes do!n to the *entre of a perfe*t "a)e

of passa'es and 'alleries, said %hilip$ hall !e ta+e this passa'e here its a sort of

"ain road, and leads to the "ines that !ere !or+ed ri'ht under the sea$

Oh no, dont lets 'o there, said :u*y-Ann, in alar"$ But the other three voted to 'othere, so the "atter !as de*ided$

No!, 8i+i, if you *o"e !ith us, you are not to "a+e a noise, !arned ;a*+$ Else, if !e

'o any!here near the "iners, they !ill hear you, and !e shall (e dis*overed$ ee

Eena "eena "ina "o, said 8i+i sole"nly, and s*rat*hed her poll hard$

7oure a silly (ird, said ;a*+$ No! "ind !hat Ive told you dont you dare to s*ree*h

or shout$

They !ent to the head of the shaft$ They all peered do!n, feelin' rather sole"n$ An

adventure !as e#*itin', (ut so"eho! this one see"ed a (it fri'htenin', all of a

sudden$

Co"e on, said %hilip, (e'innin' to 'o do!n the ladder$ Nothin' *an happen to us

really, even if !e are dis*overed$ After all, !e 5rst *a"e to this island to see if !e

*ould 5nd a Great Au+ for Fre*+les$ Even if !e !ere *au'ht !e *ould say that !ed

+eep our "ouths shut$ If the "en are friends of Bill "u's, they "ust (e de*ent

fello!s$ .e *an al!ays tell the" !e are his friends$



They all (e'an to *li"( do!n the lon' lon' shaft$ Before they !ere half-!ay do!n

they !ished they had never (e'un their des*ent$ They had not 'uessed they !ould

have to 'o so far$ It !as li+e *li"(in' do!n to the "iddle of the earth, do!n, do!n,

do!n in the dar+ness, !hi*h !as lit no! (y the (ea"s fro" four tor*h li'hts$

7ou 'irls all ri'ht as+ed %hilip, rather an#iously$ I should thin+ !e "ust (e near the(otto" no!$

&y ar"s are terri(ly tired, said poor :u*y-Ann, !ho !as not so stron' as the others$

6inah !as "ore li+e a (oy in her darin' and stren'th, (ut :u*y-Ann !as s"all

*o"pared !ith her$

top a little and rest, said ;a*+$ Golly, 8i+i feels heavy on "y shoulder$ Thats

(e*ause "y ar"s are a (it tired too, I e#pe*t, !ith holdin' on to the ladder-run's$

They rested a little and then !ent on do!n!ards$ Then %hilip 'ave a lo!

e#*la"ation$

I say I" at the (otto"

.ith 'reat than+fulness the others 0oined hi"$ :u*y-Ann pro"ptly sat do!n on the

'round, for her +nees !ere a*hin' no!, as !ell as her ar"s$ %hilip <ashed his tor*h

around$

They !ere in a fairly !ide passa'e$ The !alls and *eilin' !ere of ro*+, 'lea"in' a

*oppery *olour in the li'ht of the tor*hes$ Fro" the "ain passa'e (ran*hed "any

'alleries or s"aller passa'es$

.ell do as !e said and +eep to this "ain passa'e, !hi*h loo+s li+e a sort of "ainroad of the "ines, said %hilip$

;a*+ <ashed his tor*h do!n a s"aller passa'e$ :oo+ he said$ The roof has fallen in

there$ .e *ouldnt 'o do!n that !ay if !e !anted to$

Golly, I hope the roof of this passa'e !ont fall in on top of us, said :u*y-Ann,

loo+in' up at it in alar"$ In pla*es it !as propped up (y (i' ti"(ers, (ut "ostly it

!as of hard ro*+$

Co"e on !ere safe enou'h, said ;a*+ i"patiently$ I say isnt it thrillin' to (e

hundreds of feet (elo! the earth, do!n in a *opper-"ine as old as the hills

Its funny that the air is /uite 'ood here, isnt it said 6inah, re"e"(erin' the

"usty-s"ellin' air in the se*ret passa'e at Cra''y-Tops$

There "ust (e 'ood air-!ays in these "ines, said %hilip, tryin' to re"e"(er ho!

the air-!ays in *oal-"ines !or+ed$ Thats one of the 5rst thin's that "en thin+

a(out !hen they (e'in to !or+ "ines under'round ho! to 'et drau'hts of air



"ovin' do!n the tunnels they "a+e and *hannels to drain o2 any !ater that "i'ht

*olle*t and <ood the "ine$

Id hate to !or+ in a "ine, said :u*y-Ann, shiverin'$ %hilip, are !e under the sea

yet

Not yet, said %hilip$ A(out half-!ay there, I should thin+$ Hallo, heres a !ell-!or+ed

pie*e /uite a (i' *ave

The passa'e suddenly opened out into a vast open *ave that sho!ed "any si'ns of

(ein' !or+ed (y "en$ &ar+s of tools stood out here and there in the ro*+, and ;a*+,

!ith a deli'hted e#*la"ation, darted to a *orner and pi*+ed up !hat loo+ed li+e a

s"all ha""er-top "ade of (ron)e$

:oo+, he said proudly to the others$ This "ust (e part of a (ro+en tool used (y the

an*ient "iners its "ade of (ron)e a "i#ture of *opper and tin$ &y !ord, !ont the

(oys at s*hool envy "e this

That "ade the others loo+ around ea'erly as !ell, and :u*y-Ann "ade a dis*overy

that interested every(ody very "u*h$ It !as not an an*ient (ron)e tool it !as a stu(

of pen*il, (ri'ht yello! in *olour$

6o you +no! !ho this (elon's to said :u*y-Ann, her 'reen eyes 'lea"in' in the

tor*h-li'ht li+e a *ats$ It (elon's to Bill "u's$ I sa! hi" !ritin' notes !ith it the

other day$ I +no! its Bills$

Then he "ust have (een do!n here and dropped it (y a**ident, said %hilip, thrilled$

Golly, our 'uess !as ri'ht then Hes no (ird-!at*her hes livin' on the *oast !ith

his *ar and his (oat (e*ause hes friends !ith the "en !or+in' this old "ine, and(rin's the" food and stu2$ Artful old Bill he never told us a !ord a(out it$

.ell, you dont 'o (la((in' everythin' out to *hildren you "eet, said 6inah$ .ell,

!ell ho! surprised he !ould (e if he +ne! !e +ne! his se*ret I !onder if hes do!n

here no!

Course not, silly, said %hilip, at on*e$ His (oat !asnt on the shore, !as it And

theres no other !ay of 'ettin' here e#*ept (y (oat$

I for'ot that, said 6inah$ Any!ay I dont feel afraid of "eetin' the se*ret "iners

no! that !e +no! they are friends of Bills$ All the sa"e, !e !ont let the" +no!

!ere here if !e *an help it$ They "i'ht thin+ that *hildren *ouldnt (e trusted, and

(e rather *ross a(out it$

They e#a"ined the (i' *ave *losely$ The *eilin' !as propped up !ith (i' old

ti"(ers, so"e of the" (ro+en no!, so that the roof !as 'radually fallin' in$ A

nu"(er of he!n-out steps led to a *ave a(ove, (ut the roof of that had fallen in and

the *hildren *ould not 'et into it$



6o you +no! !hat I thin+ said ;a*+ suddenly, stoppin' to fa*e the others (ehind

hi", as they e#a"ined the *ave$ I (elieve that li'ht I sa! out to sea the other ni'ht

!asnt fro" a ship at all it !as fro" this island$ The "iners !ere 'ivin' a si'nal to

say that they had 5nished their food and !anted "ore and the li'ht fro" the *li2

!as <ashed (y Bill to say he !as (rin'in' "ore$

7es (ut the li'ht *a"e fro" our *li2, not fro" Bills *li2, o(0e*ted %hilip$

I +no! (ut you +no! 0olly !ell that its only fro" the hi'hest part of the *li2 that

anyone si'nallin' fro" the *ove side of the island *ould (e seen, said ;a*+$ If

so"e(ody stood on that hill in the "iddle of the island and "ade a (on5re or !aved

a po!erful la"p, it *ould only (e seen fro" our *li2, and not fro" Bills$ o Bill "ust

have 'one to our *li2 that ni'ht and ans!ered the si'nal$

I (elieve youre ri'ht, said %hilip$ Old Bill "ust have (een !anderin' a(out that

ni'ht, (ehind Cra''y-Tops and you sa! his si'nallin' li'ht and so did ;o-;o$ No

!onder old ;o-;o says there are thin's !anderin' a(out at ni'ht and is s*ared of

the" He "ust often have heard Bill and seen li'hts, and not +no!n !hat they

!ere$

I e#pe*t Bill !ent o2 to the island in his (oat, as soon as he *ould, !ith fresh food,

said ;a*+$ And he too+ a!ay the pile of old tins$ That e#plains !hy it is they are

'one$ Artful old Bill .hat a 5ne se*ret he has and !e are the only people !ho +no!

it

I do !ish !e *ould tell hi" !e +no! it, said :u*y-Ann$ I dont see !hy !e *ant$ I"

sure hed rather +no! that !e +ne! it$

.ell !e *ould sort of say a fe! thin's that !ill "a+e hi" 'uess !e +no! it, perhaps,

said %hilip$ Then if he 'uesses, hell o!n up, and !ell have a 'ood tal+ a(out the

"ines, and Bill !ill tell us all +inds of e#*itin' thin's$

7es, thats !hat !ell do, said ;a*+$ Co"e on lets e#plore a (it further$ I feel as if I

+no! this *ave (y heart$

The passa'e s!erved suddenly to the left after a (it, and %hilips heart 'ave a

thu"p$ He +ne!, (y the "ap, that !hen the "ain passa'e s!erved left they !ere

'oin' under the sea-(ed itself$ It !as so"eho! very thrillin' to (e !al+in' under

the deep sea$

.hats that funny noise as+ed 6inah$ They all listened$ There !as a *urious, far-o2

(oo"in' noise that never stopped$

&iners !ith "a*hines said %hilip$ Then he suddenly +ne! !hat it !as$ No its the

sea (oo"in' a!ay a(ove our heads Thats !hat it is



o it !as$ The *hildren stood and listened to the "ued, far-a!ay noise$ Boo"-

(oo", (oo"$ That !as the sea, "ovin' restlessly over the ro*+y (ed, "ay(e

poundin' over ro*+s in its !ay, tal+in' !ith its *ontinual, rhyth"i*al voi*e$

Its funny to (e under the sea itself, said :u*y-Ann, half fri'htened$ he shivered$ It

!as so dar+, and the noise !as so stran'e$

Isnt it a!fully !ar" do!n here she said, and the others a'reed !ith her$ It

*ertainly !as hot do!n in the old *opper-"ines$

They !ent on their !ay do!n the passa'e, +eepin' to the "ain one, and avoidin'

all the "any 'alleries that spread out *ontinually side!ays, !hi*h pro(a(ly led to

other !or+in's of the (i' "ines$

If !e dont +eep to this "ain road, !ell lose ourselves, said %hilip, and :u*y-Ann

'ave a 'asp$ It had not o**urred to her that they "i'ht 'et lost$ Ho! a!ful to 'o

!anderin' a(out "iles of "ine-!or+in's, and never 5nd the shaft that led the"

up!ards

They *a"e to a pla*e !here, /uite suddenly, a (rilliant li'ht shone$ The *hildren had

rounded a *orner, noti*in', as they *a"e to it, that a 'li""er of li'ht see"ed to

sho! there$ As they turned the *orner of the passa'e they *a"e into a *ave li'hted

(y a po!erful la"p$ They stopped in the 'reatest surprise$

Then a noise *a"e to their ears a /ueer noise, not the "ued (oo" of the sea, (ut

a *latterin' noise that they *ouldnt re*o'nise then a (an', then a *latterin' noise

a'ain$

.eve found !here the "iners !or+, said ;a*+, in an e#*ited !hisper$ 8eep (a*+ a(it$ .e "ay see the" (ut !e dont !ant the" to see us

Chapter =M

%9IONE9 4N6E9G9O4N6

The *hildren huddled a'ainst the !all, tryin' to see !hat !as in the *ave (efore

the", (lin+in' their eyes in the (rilliant li'ht$

There !ere (o#es and *rates in the *ave, (ut nothin' else$ No "an !as there$ But in

the near distan*e !as so"e(ody at !or+, "a+in' that /ueer *latterin', (an'in'

noise$

:ets 'o (a*+, said :u*y-Ann, fri'htened$



No$ But loo+ theres a passa'e 'oin' o2 0ust here, !hispered %hilip, <ashin' his

tor*h into a dar+ tunnel near (y$ .ell *reep do!n there and see if !e *o"e a*ross

the "iners !or+in' so"e!here near$

o they all *rept do!n the tunnel$ As they !ent do!n it, pressin' the"selves

*losely a'ainst the ro*+y sides, a ro*+ fell fro" the roof$ It 'ave 8i+i su*h a fri'htthat she 'ave a s/ua!+ and <e! o2 ;a*+s shoulder$

Here, 8i+i said ;a*+, afraid of losin' her$ But 8i+i did not *o"e (a*+ to his shoulder$

The (oy stu"(led (a*+ up the passa'e to loo+ for her, !histlin' softly in the !ay he

did !hen he !anted to *all her to hi"$ The others did not reali)e that he !as no

lon'er !ith the", (ut !ent on do!n the tunnel, slo!ly and painfully$

And then thin's happened very /ui*+ly$ o"e-one *a"e s!iftly up the tunnel !ith a

lantern, !hose li'ht pi*+ed out the three *hildren at on*e$ They *o!ered (a*+

a'ainst the !all and tried not to (e da))led (y the lantern$ The "an *arryin' it

paused in the 'reatest astonish"ent$

.ell, he said, in a deep, rather hoarse voi*e$ .ell if this doesnt (eat everythin'

He held his lantern up hi'h to see the *hildren "ore *learly$ Then he *alled over his

shoulder$

;a+e Co"e and ta+e a loo+-see here$ Ive 'ot so"ethin' here thatll "a+e your eyes

drop out$

Another "an *a"e s!iftly up, tall and dar+ in the shado!s$ He 'ave a loud

e#*la"ation as he sa! the three *hildren$

.ell, !hat do you thin+ of that he said$ Children Ho! did they *o"e here Arethey real Or a" I drea"in'

Its *hildren all ri'ht, said the 5rst "an$ He spo+e to the three, and his voi*e !as

rou'h and harsh$

.hat are you doin' here .ho are you !ith

.ere (y ourselves, said %hilip$

The "an lau'hed loudly$ Oh no, youre not$ Its no 'ood spinnin' that +ind of tale to

us$ .ho (rou'ht you here, and !hy

.e *a"e ourselves in a (oat, said :u*y-Ann indi'nantly$ .e +no! the 'ap in the

ro*+s, and !e *a"e to see the island$

.hy did you *o"e do!n here de"anded ;a+e, *o"in' nearer$ No! the *hildren

*ould see !hat he !as li+e, and they didnt li+e the loo+ of hi" at all$ He had a (la*+

pat*h over one eye, and the other eye 'lea"ed !i*+edly at the"$ His "outh !as so



ti'ht-lipped that it al"ost see"ed as if he had no lips at all$ :u*y-Ann *o!ered

a!ay$

Go on !hy did you *o"e do!n here de"anded ;a+e$

.ell !e found the shaft-hole and !e *li"(ed do!n to see the old "ines, said %hilip$

.e shant split on you, dont (e afraid$

plit on us .hat do you "ean .hat do you +no!, (oy as+ed ;a+e rou'hly$

%hilip said nothin'$ He didnt really +no! !hat to say$ ;a+e nodded his head to the

5rst "an, !ho !ent (ehind the *hildren$ No! they *ould not 'o for!ard or

(a*+!ard to es*ape$

:u*y-Ann (e'an to *ry$ %hilip put his ar" round her, and !ondered, for the 5rst

ti"e, !here ;a*+ !as$ :u*y-Ann loo+ed round for hi" too$ he (e'an to *ry "ore

loudly !hen she sa! he !as not there$

:u*y-Ann, dont tell these "en that ;a*+ is 'one, !hispered %hilip$ If they ta+e us

prisoner, ;a*+ !ill (e a(le to es*ape and (rin' help$ o dont say a !ord a(out hi"$

.hat are you !hisperin' a(out as+ed ;a+e$ No!, loo+ here, "y (oy you dont !ant

any har" to *o"e to your sisters, do you .ell you 0ust tell us !hat you +no!, and

"ay(e !ell let you 'o$

%hilip !as alar"ed at the "ans tone$ For the 5rst ti"e it da!ned on the (oy that

there "i'ht (e dan'er$ These "en !ere 5er*e they !ouldnt let three *hildren share

their se*rets !illin'ly$ uppose they +ept the" prisoner under'round starved the"

(eat the" .ho +ne! !hat "i'ht happen %hilip "ade up his "ind to tell a little of!hat he 'uessed$

:oo+ here, he said to ;a+e, !e +no! !ho you are !or+in' !ith, see And hes a

friend of ours$ Hell (e "i'hty an'ry if you do us any har"$

Oh, really said ;a+e, in a "o*+in' tone$ And !ho is this !onderful friend of yours

Bill "u's, said %hilip, feelin' *ertain that everythin' !ould (e all ri'ht at the

"ention of Bills na"e$

Bill "u's said the "an, !ith a 0eerin' note in his voi*e$ And !ho "ay he (e Ive

never heard of hi" in "y life$

But you "ust have, said %hilip desperately$ He (rin's you food, and si'nals to you$

7ou +no! he does$ 7ou "ust +no! Bill "u's and his (oat, The Al(atross$

The t!o "en stared intently at the *hildren$ Then they spo+e to'ether /ui*+ly in a

forei'n lan'ua'e$ They see"ed pu))led$



Bill "u's is no friend of ours, ;a+e said, after a pause$ 6id he tell you that he +ne!

us

Oh no, said %hilip$ .e only 'uessed it$

Then you 'uessed !ron', said the "an$ Co"e alon' !ere 'oin' to "a+e you

*o"forta(le so"e!here till !e de*ide !hat to do !ith *hildren !ho po+e their noses

into thin's that dont *on*ern the"$

%hilip 'uessed that they !ere 'oin' to (e +ept prisoners so"e!here under'round,

and he !as alar"ed and an'ry$ The 'irls !ere fri'htened$ 6inah didnt *ry, (ut :u*y-

Ann, forlorn (e*ause ;a*+ !as not (y her, *ried !ithout stoppin'$

;a+e prodded %hilip to "a+e hi" 'o alon' in front of hi"$ He turned the *hildren o2

into a narro! passa'e runnin' at ri'ht an'les fro" the tunnel they !ere in$ A door

!as set a*ross this passa'e and ;a+e un(olted it$ He pushed the *hildren inside the

*ave there, !hi*h loo+ed al"ost li+e a s"all roo", for it had (en*hes and a s"all

ta(le$ ;a+e set his lantern do!n on the ta(le$

7oull (e safe here, he said, !ith a horrid *roo+ed 'rin$ Juite safe$ I shant starve

you, dont (e afraid of that$

The *hildren !ere left alone$ They heard the door (olted 5r"ly and footsteps dyin'

a!ay$ :u*y-Ann still !ept$

.hat a (it of (ad lu*+ said %hilip, tryin' to spea+ *heerfully$ 6ont *ry, :u*y-Ann$

.hy didnt those "en +no! Bill "u's said 6inah, pu))led$ .e +no! he "ust

(rin' the" food, and pro(a(ly ta+e a!ay the *opper they "ine$

Easy to 'uess, said %hilip 'loo"ily$ I (et old Bill 'ave us a !ron' na"e$ It sounds

pretty pe*uliar, any!ay Bill "u's I never heard a na"e li+e that (efore, no! I

*o"e to thin+ of it$

Oh you thin+ it isnt his real na"e said 6inah$ o of *ourse those "en dont +no!

it$ 6ash If only !e +ne! his real na"e, everythin' !ould (e all ri'ht$

.hat are !e 'oin' to do !ept :u*y-Ann$ I dont li+e (ein' a prisoner in a *opper-

"ine under the sea$ Its horrid$

But its a very thrillin' adventure, :u*y-Ann, said %hilip, tryin' to *o"fort her$

I dont li+e a thrillin' adventure !hen I" in the "iddle of it, !ept :u*y-Ann$ Neither

did the others, very "u*h$ %hilip !ondered a(out ;a*+$

.hat *an have happened to hi" he said$ I hope hes safe$ Hell (e a(le to res*ue

us if he is$



But at that "o"ent ;a*+ !as anythin' (ut safe$ He had !andered up the tunnel

loo+in' for 8i+i, had turned into another passa'e, found 8i+i, turned to 'o (a*+ and

then had lost his !ay$ He had no idea that the others had (een *au'ht$ 8i+i !as on

his shoulder, tal+in' softly to herself$

%hilip had the "ap, not ;a*+$ o, on*e the (oy had lost his !ay, he had no "eans ofdis*overin' ho! to 'et (a*+ to the "ain passa'e$ He turned into one tunnel after

another, found so"e of the" (lo*+ed, turned (a*+, and (e'an !anderin' helplessly

here and there$

8i+i, !ere lost, said ;a*+$ He shouted a'ain and a'ain, as loudly as he *ould, and

his voi*e !ent e*hoin' throu'h the an*ient tunnels very !eirdly, *o"in' (a*+ to

hi" ti"e and ti"e a'ain$ 8i+i s*ree*hed too, (ut there !as no ans!erin' *all$

The *hildren shut up in the *ell-li+e *ave fell silent after a ti"e$ There !as nothin'

to do, nothin' to say$ :u*y-Ann put her head do!n on her ar"s, !hi*h she rested on

the ta(le, and fell fast asleep, tired out$ 6inah and %hilip stret*hed the"selves out

on the (en*hes and tried to sleep too$ But they *ouldnt$

%hilip, !ell 0ust have to es*ape fro" here, said 6inah desperately$

Easy to say that, said %hilip sar*asti*ally$ Not so easy to do$ Ho! !ould you su''est

that !e es*ape fro" a *ave set deep in a *opper-"ine under the sea, a *ave !hi*h

has a stout !ooden door to it !ell (olted on the outside 6ont (e foolish$

Ive 'ot an idea, %hilip, said 6inah at last$ %hilip 'runted$ He never had "u*h use

for 6inahs ideas, !hi*h, as a rule, !ere rather far-fet*hed$

No!, do listen, %hilip, said 6inah earnestly$ Its /uite a 'ood idea$

.hat is it said %hilip 'ru"pily$

.ell, ;a+e or that other "an !ill (e sure to *o"e (a*+ here sooner or later !ith

food, (e'an 6inah$ And !hen he *o"es, lets all (e 'aspin' and holdin' our heads

and 'roanin'$

.hatever for as+ed %hilip in astonish"ent$

o as to "a+e hi" thin+ the air is very (ad in here, and !e *ant (reathe, and !ere

al"ost dyin', said 6inah$ Then "ay(e hell let us 'o out into the passa'e for a

(reath of air and you *an reel to!ards hi", +i*+ out his li'ht and !ell all es*ape as

/ui*+ly as !e *an$

%hilip sat up and loo+ed at his sister !ith ad"iration$ I really do thin+ youve 'ot an

idea there, he said, and 6inah 'lo!ed !ith pleasure$ 7es, I really do$ .ell have to

!a+e :u*y-Ann and tell her$ he "ust play her part too$



o :u*y-Ann !as a!a+ened and told the plan$ he thou'ht it !as very 'ood$ he

(e'an to 'asp and hold her head and "oan in a "ost realisti* !ay$ %hilip nodded

his head$

Thats 5ne, he said$ .ell all do that !hen !e hear ;a+e or the other fello! *o"in'$

No!, !hilst theres still ti"e, Id (etter 5nd !here !e are on the under'round "ap,and see e#a*tly !hat dire*tion to ta+e as soon as !eve +i*+ed the "ans li'ht out$

He spread the "ap out on the ta(le and studied it$ 7es, he said at last$ I see !here

!e are$ Theres the (i' *ave that !as li'hted up see And the little passa'e o2 it

!here !e !ere *au'ht and heres the passa'e !e !ere ta+en do!n and heres the

little *ave !ere in no!$ No!, listen, 'irls as soon as Ive +i*+ed out the "ans li'ht,

ta+e "y hand and +eep *lose (y "e$ Ill lead you the ri'ht !ay, and 5nd the shaft-

hole a'ain$ Then up !ell 'o, 0oin up !ith old ;a*+ so"e!here and 'et to the (oat$

Good, said 6inah, thrilled and at that very "o"ent they heard footsteps *o"in' to

the !ooden door$

Chapter =1

ECA%E B4T .HAT ABO4T ;AC8

The (olts !ere shot (a*+$ The door opened and ;a+e appeared, *arryin' a tin plate

of (is*uits and a (i' open tin of sardines$ He also put on the ta(le a 0u' of !ater$

Then he stared in a"a)e"ent at the three *hildren$ %hilip see"ed to (e *ho+in',

and he rolled o2 his (en*h on the <oor$ 6inah !as "a+in' the "ost e#traordinary

noises, and holdin' her head ti'htly in her hands$ :u*y-Ann appeared to (e on the

point of (ein' si*+, and "ade the "ost alar"in' 'roans$

.hats up as+ed ;a+e$

Air .e !ant air 'asped %hilip$ .ere *ho+in' Air Air

6inah rolled on to the 'round as !ell$ ;a+e pulled her up and hustled her to the door$

He pushed the others out into the passa'e$ He thou'ht they "ust really (e on the

point of *ho+in' the air in the *ell "ust (e used up$

%hilip !at*hed his *han*e and reeled to!ards ;a+e as if he *ould not stand strai'ht$

As he *a"e to!ards hi" he lifted his ri'ht foot, and ai"ed a "i'hty +i*+ at the

lantern in ;a+es hand$ It fell and s"ashed at on*e, and the li'ht !ent out$ There



!as a tin+lin' of 'lass, a shout fro" ;a+e and then %hilip sou'ht for the hands of the

t!o fri'htened 'irls$ He found the" and pushed the t!o hurriedly in front of hi"

to!ards a passa'e on the left$ ;a+e, left in the dar+ness, (e'an to 'rope a(out,

shoutin' for the other "an$

Olly Hi, Olly Brin' a la"p Jui*+ These dratted +ids have fooled "e$ Hi, Olly

%hilip, tryin' hard to +eep his sense of dire*tion *orre*t, hurried the 'irls alon'$

Their hearts !ere (eatin' painfully, and :u*y-Ann really did feel as if she !as 'oin'

to *ho+e no!$ oon they had left ;a+es shouts (ehind and !ere in the !ide "ain

passa'e do!n !hi*h they had *o"e not "any hours (efore$ %hilip !as no! usin'

his tor*h, and it !as pleasant to see the thin, (ri'ht (ea" of li'ht$

Than+ 'oodness !ere in the ri'ht tunnel, said %hilip, pausin' to listen$ He *ould

hear nothin' (ut the (oo" of the sea far a(ove their heads$ He s!un' his tor*h

around$ 7es they !ere on the ri'ht road$ Good

Can !e have a little rest panted :u*y-Ann$

No, said %hilip$ Those "en !ill (e after us al"ost at on*e as soon as they 'et

another la"p$ They !ill 'uess !e are "a+in' for the shaft$ Co"e on$ Theres no

ti"e to (e lost$

The *hildren hurried on a'ain (ut after a ti"e, to their 'reat dis"ay, they heard

shouts (ehind the"$ That "eant that the "en !ere after the" and !hat !as "ore,

!ere *at*hin' the" up$ :u*y-Ann felt so alar"ed that she *ould hardly run$

They *a"e at last to the (i' shaft-hole$ It !as so deep that the *hildren *ould not

see the entran*e to it, far a(ove$ The dayli'ht !as not to (e seen$

4p you 'o, said %hilip an#iously$ 7ou 5rst, :u*y-Ann$ Be as /ui*+ as you *an$

:u*y-Ann (e'an to *li"($ 6inah follo!ed her$ %hilip *a"e last$ He *ould hear the

"ens voi*es even "ore *learly no!$ And then /uite suddenly, they stopped, and

%hilip *ould hear the" no "ore$ .hat had happened

An e#traordinary thin' had happened$ 8i+i the parrot, hearin' the tu"ult in the

distan*e, had (e*o"e e#*ited and !as shoutin'$ he and ;a*+ !ere still !anderin'

a(out, /uite lost, in the "a)e of passa'es and 'alleries$ 8i+is sharp ears heard the

"en and she (e'an to s*ree*h and yell$

.ipe your feet hut the door Hi, hi, hi, %olly put the +ettle on

The "en heard the shoutin' voi*e and thou'ht it (elon'ed to the *hildren$ Theyve

lost the"selves, said ;a+e, stoppin'$ They dont +no! the !ay (a*+ to the shaft$

Theyre lost and are shoutin' for help$



:et the" shout, said Olly sourly$ Theyll never 5nd the !ay to the shaft$ I told you

they !ouldnt$ :et the" 'et lost and starve$

No, said ;a+e$ .e *ant do that$ .e dont !ant to have to e#plain half-starvin'

*hildren to sear*h-parties, do !e .ed (etter 'o and 'et the"$ They are over in

that dire*tion$

They !ent o2 the "ain passa'e, "eanin' to try and 5nd the *hildren !here the

shouts had *o"e fro"$ 8i+is voi*e *a"e a'ain to the"$ .ipe your feet, idiot, !ipe

your feet

This astonished the t!o "en$ They !ent on to!ards the voi*e, (ut even as they

!ent, ;a*+ and 8i+i !andered into a passa'e that the t!o "en "issed$ 8i+i fell

silent, and the "en paused$

Cant hear the" any "ore, said ;a+e$ Better 'o to the shaft$ They "ay have found

their !ay there after all$ .e *ant a2ord to let the" es*ape till !eve de*ided !hat

to do a(out all this$

o they retra*ed their steps to the shaft, and loo+ed up it$ A sho!er of tiny stones

*a"e do!n and hit the"$

Gosh The *hildren are up there *ried ;a+e, and started up the ladder at on*e$

The *hildren !ere al"ost at the top$ :u*y-Ann felt as if her ar"s and le's *ould not

*li"( one "ore run' (ut they held out, and at last the tired 'irl rea*hed the top,

*li"(ed out, and rolled over on the 'round, e#hausted$ 6inah *a"e ne#t, and sat

do!n !ith a lon' si'h$ And then %hilip, tired too, (ut deter"ined not to rest for one

"o"ent$

I" sure those "en !ill *o"e up the shaft after us, he said$ .e havent a "inute to

lose$ 6o *o"e on, 'irls$ .e "ust 'et to the (oat and (e o2 (efore anyone stops us$

It !as 'ettin' dar+$ .hat a lon' ti"e they "ust have (een under'round %hilip

dra''ed the 'irls to their feet and they set o2 to the shore$ The (oat !as there,

than+ 'oodness$

I dont !ant to 'o !ithout ;a*+, said :u*y-Ann o(stinately, her heart !run' !ith

an#iety for her (eloved (rother$

But %hilip (undled her into the (oat at on*e$

No ti"e to lose, he said$ Co"e on$ .ell send help (a*+ for ;a*+ as soon as ever !e

*an$ I *ant (ear leavin' hi" (ehind either (ut Ive 'ot to 'et you 'irls a!ay safely$

6inah too+ one pair of oars and %hilip the other$ oon the t!o !ere ro!in' the (oat

a!ay /ui*+ly, a*ross the *al" *hannel of !ater to !here, in the distan*e, the !aves

thundered over the reef of ro*+s$ %hilip felt an#ious$ It !as one thin' to 'et throu'h



the 'ap safely !hen he *ould see !here he !as 'oin', (ut /uite another !hen it

!as al"ost dar+$

He heard shoutin', (ut he !as too far a!ay fro" the shore to see the "en there$

;a+e and Olly had *li"(ed up the shaft, ra*ed over the island to the shore, and !ere

loo+in' for a (oat$ But there !as none$ The tide !as *o"in' in and there !as noteven a "ar+ on the sand to sho! !here the (oat had rested$ In fa*t, it had (een

al"ost a<oat !hen the *hildren had 'ot in, and it !as lu*+y that it had not <oated

a!ay$

No (oat here, said Olly$ Ho! did those +ids *o"e Its /ueer$ They "ust have

es*aped (y (oat$ They *ant still (e under'round$ .ed (etter si'nal toni'ht and 'et

so"eone over here$ .e "ust !arn the" that +ids have found us under'round$

They !ent (a*+ to the shaft and *li"(ed do!n it, not +no!in' that one of the

*hildren !as still !anderin' a(out in the "ines$ %oor ;a*+ !as still "a+in' his !ay

do!n a "a)e of tunnels, all loo+in' e#a*tly ali+e to hi"$

In the "eanti"e %hilip, :u*y-Ann and 6inah had, (y 'reat 'ood lu*+, 0ust stru*+ the

'ap in the ro*+s$ It !as really (e*ause of :u*y-Anns sharp ears that they had (een

so lu*+y$ he had listened to the poundin' of the !ater over the ro*+s, and her ears

had noti*ed a softenin' of the thunder$ Thats !here the 'ap "ust (e, she thou'ht$

The noise dies a!ay a little there$ o, sittin' at the tiller, she tried to 'uide the (oat

to !here she 'uessed the 'ap to (e, and (y 'ood *han*e she found it$ The (oat

slipped throu'h, s*rapin' its +eel on*e "ore on the ro*+ 0ust (elo! the surfa*e and

then it !as in the open sea, ro*+in' up and do!n$

Ho! %hilip put up the sail in the half dar+ness, and sailed the (oat ho"e, he never

/uite +ne!$ He !as desperate the 'irls "ust (e 'ot (a*+ in safety, so !ith 'reat

*oura'e he !ent a(out his tas+$ .hen at last he rea*hed the "oorin'-pla*e, under

the *li2, he *ould not 'et out of the (oat$ Juite suddenly his +nees see"ed to 'ive

!ay, and he *ould not !al+$

Ill have to !ait a "inute or t!o, he said to 6inah$ &y le's have 'one funny$ Ill (e

all ri'ht soon$

7ouve (een a!fully *lever, said 6inah, and fro" her those !ords "eant a lot$

They tied up the (oat at last and !ent up to the house$ Aunt %olly "et the" at the

door, in a 'reat state of alar"$

.herever have you (een Ive (een so !orried a(out you$ Ive (een nearly o2 "y

head !ith an#iety$ I really feel /ueer$

he loo+ed very !hite and ill$ Even as she spo+e, she tottered a little, and %hilip

(ounded for!ard and *au'ht her as she fell$



%oor Aunt %olly, he said, dra''in' her indoors as 'ently as he *ould and puttin' her

on the sofa$ .ere so sorry !e upset you$ Ill 'et so"e !ater no, 6inah, you 'et

so"e$

oon Aunt %olly said she felt a little (etter, (ut it !as /uite plain that she !as ill$

he never *ould stand any !orry of this sort, 6inah said to :u*y-Ann$ On*e !hen%hilip nearly fell do!n the *li2, she !as ill for days$ It see"s to "a+e her heart (ad$

Ill 'et her to (ed$

6ont say a !ord a(out ;a*+ (ein' "issin', %hilip !arned 6inah in a lo! voi*e$ That

really !ill 'ive her a heart atta*+$

6inah !ent o2 upstairs !ith her aunt, supportin' her as 5r"ly as she *ould$ %hilip

!ent to loo+ for ;o-;o$ He !asnt (a*+ yet$ Good Then he !ouldnt have "issed the

(oat$ He loo+ed at :u*y-Anns !hite little fa*e, its 'reen tired eyes and !orried

e#pression$ He felt sorry for her$

.hat are !e 'oin' to do a(out ;a*+ said :u*y-Ann, !ith a 'ulp$ .eve 'ot to

res*ue hi", %hilip$

I +no!, said %hilip$ .ell !e *ant tell Aunt %olly and 4n*le ;o*elyn !ouldnt (e any

'ood and !ed (e idiots to tell ;o-;o$ o there is no-one left (ut old Bill, I" afraid$

But you said !ed (etter not tell Bill !e +ne! his se*ret, said :u*y-Ann$

I +no!$ But !eve 'ot to, no! that ;a*+ is alone on the island, said %hilip$ Bill !ill

have to 'o and tell those 5er*e friends of his that ;a*+ is a pal, and hell 5nd hi"

and (rin' hi" (a*+ safely$ o dont you !orry, :u*y-Ann$

.ill you 'o and tell hi" no!, strai'ht a!ay as+ed :u*y-Ann tearfully$

Ill 'o 0ust as soon as ever Ive had so"ethin' to eat, said %hilip, suddenly feelin' so

hun'ry that he felt he *ould eat a !hole loaf, a pound of (utter and a 0ar of 0a"$

7oud (etter have so"ethin' too, :u*y-Ann you loo+ as !hite as a sheet$ Cheer up

;a*+ !ill soon (e safe here, and !ell all (e lau'hin' and tal+in' li+e anythin'$

6inah *a"e do!n then, and set a(out 'ettin' so"e food$ They !ere all very

hun'ry, even :u*y-Ann$ 6inah a'reed that the only thin' to do !as to 'o to Bill

"u's and 'et hi" to 'o and res*ue ;a*+ (efore the "en found hi"$

Theyll (e so !ild that !eve es*aped that they "ay (e really tou'h !ith ;a*+, said

6inah, and then !ished she hadnt spo+en the !ords, for :u*y-Ann loo+ed s*ared to

death$

%lease 'o, %hilip, (e''ed the little 'irl$ Go no!$ If you dont, I shall$

6ont (e silly, said %hilip, 'ettin' up$ 7ou *ouldnt "a+e your !ay a*ross the *li2 on

a dar+ ni'ht$ 7oud fall over the ed'e$ .ell so lon' Ill (e (a*+$



O2 !ent the (oy, *li"(in' the steep path to the top of the *li2$ Then he set o2 to

5nd Bill$ He sa! the li'hts of ;o-;os *ar in the distan*e, *o"in' ho"e, and heard the

noise of the en'ine$ He hurried so that he !ould not (e seen$

Bill !ill (e surprised to see "e, he thou'ht$ Hell !onder !hoever it is, +no*+in' at

his door in the "iddle of the ni'ht$

But alas Bill !asnt there !hen %hilip at last arrived at the sha*+$ No! !hat !as he

to do

Chapter ==

A TA:8 .ITH BI:: AN6 A HOC8

%hilip !as 5lled !ith dis"ay$ It had never o**urred to hi" that Bill "i'ht not (e at

ho"e$ Ho! a!ful %hilip sat do!n on a stool and tried to thin+ (ut he !as tired out,

and his (rain !ouldnt see" to !or+$

.hat shall I do no! .hat shall I do no! he thou'ht, and *ould not see" to thin+

of anythin' else$ .hat shall I do no!

It !as dar+ in the little sha*+$ %hilip still sat on the stool, his hands han'in' li"ply

(et!een his le's$ Then he (e*a"e a!are of so"ethin' at the (a*+ of the sha*+,

and he turned to see !hat it !as$

To his 'reat a"a)e"ent he sa! a red li'ht there, 'lo!in' deeply$ Then it

disappeared$ Then it *a"e (a*+ a'ain, !ent out, reappeared$ It !ent on doin' this

for a fe! "inutes, !hilst %hilip tried to thin+ !hat it !as, and !hy it see"ed to (e

si'nallin'$ At last he 'ot up and !ent over to the li'ht$ It *a"e fro" a s"all (ul(

(eside the !ireless set$ %hilip had a loo+ at it$ He t!iddled one or t!o +no(s$ &usi*

*a"e fro" the !ireless !hen he t!iddled one +no($ A &orse *ode *a"e fro" it

!hen he t!iddled another$ Then (y *han*e he sa!, at the (a*+ of the !ireless, a

s"all telephone re*eiver, s"aller than any he had seen (efore al"ost a po*+et si)e,

he thou'ht$

He pi*+ed it up and i""ediately he heard a voi*e *ra*+lin' in the re*eiver$ He lifted

it to his ear$

7= *allin', said the voi*e$ 7=$ 7= *allin'$

%hilip listened in, astonished$ He de*ided to spea+ to the voi*e$

Hallo he said$ .ho are you



There !as a "o"ents silen*e$ Evidently 7=, !hoever he "i'ht (e, !as surprised$ A

*autious voi*e *a"e over the phone a'ain$

.ho is there

A (oy *alled %hilip &annerin', said %hilip$ I *a"e to 5nd Bill "u's, (ut he isnt

here$

.ho did you say said the voi*e$

Bill "u's$ But hes not here, repeated %hilip$ I say, !ho are you 6o you !ant to

leave a "essa'e for Bill I e#pe*t hell (e (a*+ so"eti"e$

Ho! lon' has he (een 'one as+ed 7=$

6ont +no!, said %hilip$ .ait I *an hear so"eone$ Here he *o"es, I do (elieve$

;oyfully the (oy put do!n the tiny telephone re*eiver$ He had heard the lo! sound

of !histlin' outside, and footsteps$ It "ust (e Bill$

It !as$ He *a"e in, shinin' his tor*h and he !as so surprised !hen he sa! %hilip

there that he stood sto*+-still !ithout sayin' a !ord$

Oh, Bill said %hilip 0oyfully$ I" so 'lad youve *o"e$ Jui*+ so"e(ody !ants you

on the phone 7= he says he is$

6id you spea+ to hi" said Bill, his voi*e soundin' astonished$ He pi*+ed up the

tiny phone and spo+e *urtly$

Is that 7= : spea+in'$

The voi*e evidently as+ed hi" !ho %hilip !as$

Boy that lives round here, said Bill$ .hats the ne!s, please

Then all that !as said (y Bill !as 7es$ Of *ourse$ Ill let you +no!$ Than+s$ No,

nothin' yet$ Good(ye$

He turned to %hilip !hen he had 5nished tal+in'$ :oo+ here, "y (oy, he said, please

understand that, if you *o"e payin' *alls here !hen I a" out, you "ust on no

a**ount ta"per !ith "y possessions or "eddle !ith "y a2airs$

Bill had never spo+en so sternly (efore, and %hilips heart san+$ .hat !ould Bill say

!hen he +ne! that the *hildren had 'uessed his se*ret He !ould thin+ they had

(een "eddlin' "ore than ever$

orry, Bill, he said a!+!ardly$ I didnt "ean to interfere at all$

.hy have you *o"e at this ti"e of ni'ht as+ed Bill$



Bill is this your pen*il as+ed %hilip, ta+in' it out$ He hoped that !hen Bill sa! it he

!ould re"e"(er that he had dropped it do!n in the *opper-"ines, and !ould

'uess, !ithout %hilip sayin' any "ore, that the *hildren +ne! his se*ret$ Bill stared

at the yello! pen*il stu($

7es, thats "ine, he said$ But you didnt *o"e here at ni'ht to 'ive "e (a*+ "ypen*il$ .hat have you *o"e for

Oh, Bill dont (e so *ross, said poor %hilip$ 7ou see !e +no! your se*ret$ .e +no!

!hat you are doin' here$ .e +no! !hy you 'o to the island !e +no! everythin'$

Bill listened to all this as if he si"ply *ould not (elieve his ears$ He stared at %hilip

in the ut"ost a"a)e"ent$ His eyes 're! narro!, and his "outh hardened into a

thin line$ For a "o"ent he loo+ed very fri'htenin'$

7ou are 'oin' to tell "e e#a*tly !hat you "ean (y all this, said Bill, in a horrid sort

of voi*e$ .hat is "y se*ret .hat is the ls/uoeverythin' that you +no!

.ell, said %hilip desperately, !e +no! that you and your friends are tryin' to !or+

the *opper-"ines a'ain and !e +no! that you are here, !ith your (oat and your

*ar, to provide the" !ith food and to ta+e a!ay any *opper they 5nd$ .e +no!

youve (een do!n the "ines, visitin' the "en there$ .e +no! youve 'iven us a

false na"e$ But, please, Bill, !e !ouldnt drea" of 'ivin' you a!ay !e hope youll

'et lots of *opper$

Bill listened, his eyes still narro! (ut as %hilip !ent on tal+in', the t!in+le *a"e

(a*+ into the", and his "outh loo+ed li+e Bills a'ain$

.ell, !ell, !ell so you +no! all that, said Bill$ And !hat else do you +no! Ho! didyou 'et to the island Not in "y (oat, I hope$

Oh, no, said %hilip, relieved to see Bill loo+in' friendly a'ain$ .e too+ ;o-;os !hen

he !as out$ .e !ent ri'ht do!n into the "ines, too that !as !here !e found your

pen*il$ But !e dont li+e your friends there, Bill$ They too+ us prisoner theyre horrid

and even !hen !e "entioned your na"e to the" and said !e !ere friends of

yours, they said they didnt +no! it and !ouldnt let us 'o free$

7ou told the" you +ne! Bill "u's said Bill$ %hilip nodded$

.hat "en did you see as+ed Bill$ His voi*e had (e*o"e sharp a'ain, and he

snapped out his /uestions in rather a fri'htenin' "anner$

T!o one *alled ;a+e and one Olly, said %hilip$ Bill "ade a note in his note(oo+$ .hat

!ere they li+e he as+ed sharply$

.ell (ut you "ust +no! the", said %hilip in astonish"ent$ Any!ay, I *ouldnt really

see "u*h either it !as dar+ or the li'ht da))led "e$ I 0ust sa! that ;a+e !as tall and



dar+, !ith a pat*h over one eye, thats all$ But you "ust +no! !hat they are li+e

yourself, Bill$

ee anyone or anythin' else as+ed Bill$

%hilip shoo+ his head$ No$ .e heard other "iners at !or+, thou'h a terri5*

*latterin', (an'in' sort of noise, you +no! they "ust have found so"e part of the

"ine that !as still ri*h in *opper$ Bill, are you 5ndin' "u*h *opper there .ill it

"a+e you ri*h

:oo+ here, you didnt *o"e here toni'ht to tell "e all this, said Bill suddenly$ .hat

did you *o"e for

I *a"e to say that althou'h 6inah and :u*y-Ann and I "ana'ed to fool ;a+e and 'et

a!ay !e had to leave ;a*+ (ehind !ith 8i+i, said %hilip$ And !e are !orried a(out

hi"$ 7ou see, he "i'ht 'et lost for ever in those !or+in's under the sea or those

friends of yours "i'ht 5nd hi" and ill-treat hi" (e*ause they are an'ry at our

tri*+in' the" as !e did$

;a*+s still there on the island in the "ines said Bill, loo+in' /uite sho*+ed$ Good

heavens This is serious$ .hy didnt you tell "e that at 5rst &y !ord, it loo+s as if

everythin's 'oin' to (e ruined (y you +ids$

Bill loo+ed an'ry and upset$ He !ent to his radio, 5ddled a(out !ith +no(s, and

then, to %hilips a"a)e"ent, (e'an to tal+ in short, sharp tones in a lan'ua'e the

(oy did not +no!$

Its a trans"itter as !ell as re*eivin' set, thou'ht %hilip$ This is all very "ysterious$

.ho is Bill tal+in' to no! Have they all 'ot a (oss !ho is dire*tin' this *opper-"inea2air I suppose theres very (i' "oney in it$ Oh dear, I hope !e havent really

ruined thin's for the"$ .hat does$ Bill "ean Ho! *ould !e have spoilt anythin'

Hes only 'ot to 'o over to the island, see his friends, tell the" to set ;a*+ free, and

that !ould 5nish it$ He "i'ht +no! he *an trust us not to split on hi"$

Bill turned round$ .e "ust 'et the (oat at on*e, he said$ Co"e on$

.ith their tor*hes thro!in' (ea"s of li'ht (efore the" they !ent do!n to !here

the (oat !as +ept$ Bill (e'an to push it out and then he suddenly 'ave su*h a shout

that %hilips heart nearly 0u"ped out of his (ody$

.hos done that

Bill shone his tor*h into the (oat and %hilip sa!, !ith a sho*+ of dis"ay and fear,

that so"e-one had *hopped vi*iously at the (otto" of the (oat *hopped so hard

that there !ere holes there throu'h !hi*h the !ater !as even no! pourin'$

Bill pulled her (a*+ on the (ea*h a'ain, his fa*e very 'ri"$ 6o you +no! anythin'

a(out that he as+ed %hilip$



Of *ourse not, said the (oy$ Golly !ho did it, Bill This is a!ful$

.ell the (oat is no use at all till shes repaired, said Bill$ But so"eho! !eve 'ot to

'et over to the Isle of Gloo"$ .ell have to ta+e ;o-;os (oat$ Co"e on$ But "ind he

"ustnt +no! a thin' a(out it$ Theres too "u*h +no!n a(out everythin' already

and too "any people nosin' a(out for "y li+in'$

They set o2 over the *li2s, poor %hilip so tired that he *ould hardly +eep up !ith Bill$

They *a"e to Cra''y-Tops, *li"(ed do!n the *li2 path and "ade their !ay to

!here ;o-;os (oat !as al!ays tied$

But, to their intense surprise and despair, ;o-;os (oat !as not there$ It !as 'one$

Chapter =>

ANOTHE9 EC9ET %AAGE

After %hilip had left, :u*y-Ann and 6inah tried to settle do!n to so"e se!in'$ But

:u*y-Anns hands tre"(led so "u*h that she +ept pri*+in' her 5n'er$

Id (etter 'o and tell 4n*le ;o*elyn that Aunt %olly has 'one to (ed, feelin' ill, said

6inah$ Co"e !ith "e, :u*y-Ann$

The t!o 'irls !ent o2 to the study and +no*+ed at the door$ They !ent in, and 6inahtold her un*le a(out her aunt$ He nodded, hardly see"in' to hear$

4n*le ;o*elyn, said 6inah, have you any "ore "aps of the Isle of Gloo" Or any

(oo+s a(out it

No, said her un*le$ But !ait theres a (oo+ a(out this house, Cra''y-Tops, I thin+$

7ou +no! that it !as a 'reat pla*e for ille'al 'oin's-on and se*ret doin's t!o or

three hundred years a'o I (elieve there !as a se*ret passa'e to it fro" the (ea*h$

7es, there is, said 6inah$ .e +no! it$

Her un*le (e*a"e /uite e#*ited$ He "ade her tell hi" all a(out it$ 6ear "e, hesaid, I thou'ht it had fallen in lon' a'o$ But these se*ret passa'es he!n out of the

ro*+ last for years$ till, I should thin+ the one that 'oes under the sea to the Isle of

Gloo" has (een <ooded lon' sin*e$

The t!o 'irls stared at the old "an in a"a)e"ent$ 6inah found her ton'ue at last$



4n*le ;o*elyn, do you "ean to say there !as another se*ret passa'e here under the

sea to the island .hy, its ever so far a!ay

.ell, there !as supposed to (e, said her un*le$ Theres so"ethin' a(out it in that

(oo+$ No! !here is it

The 'irls !aited in the 'reatest i"patien*e !hilst he found the (oo+$ He put his

hand on it at last and 6inah al"ost snat*hed it fro" hi"$

Than+ you, 4n*le, she said, and, (efore he *ould say she "ust not ta+e it out of the

roo", she and :u*y-Ann rushed out of the door and sped to the sittin'-roo" as fast

as they *ould$ Another passa'en(sp$n(sp$n(sp$ this ti"e to the island itself

.hat a thrill urely 4n*le ;o*elyn "ust (e "ista+en$

Its /uite li+ely its true, thou'h, said 6inah e#*itedly$ I +no! this !hole *oast is

honey-*o"(ed !ith *aves and passa'es its noted For that$ o"e distri*ts are, you

+no!, :u*y-Ann$ I e#pe*t the passa'e 0oins up !ith the "ine-!or+in's that e#tend

ri'ht under the sea-(ed$ .e +no! there are "iles of the"$

The 'irls opened the funny old (oo+$ They *ould not read the printin', partly

(e*ause it !as so faded and partly (e*ause the letters !ere shaped di2erently fro"

the ones they +ne!$ They turned over pa'e after pa'e, loo+in' for "aps or pi*tures$

The (oo+ !as apparently a history of Cra''y-Tops, !hi*h !as hundreds of years old$

In those days it "ust have (een al"ost a *astle, (uilt se*urely on the *li2 ro*+,

prote*ted (y the sea in front, and the *li2 (ehind$ No!, of *ourse, it !as half ruined,

and the fa"ily lived only in the fe! roo"s that !ere still ha(ita(le$

:oo+, said 6inah, pointin' to a /ueer old "ap, thats !hat Cra''y-Tops !as li+e inthe old days$ .hat a 5ne pla*e :oo+ at the to!ers and !hat a 'rand front it had

They turned over the pa'es$ They *a"e to one that had a +ind of dia'ra" on it$ The

'irls studied it *losely$ Then :u*y-Ann 'ave a shout$ I +no! !hat this is its the

se*ret passa'e fro" the *ellar to the (ea*h$ Isnt it

It !as$ There !as no dou(t a(out that$ The 'irls felt e#*ited$ %erhaps the (oo+

!ould sho! the other passa'e too$

There !ere t!o or three "ore dia'ra"-li+e "aps, so"e of the" so faded that it !as

i"possi(le to see !hat they !ere "eant to represent$ 6inah 'ave a si'h$

I !ish I *ould read this old printin'$ If I *ould, I "i'ht (e a(le to 5nd out !hether any

of these "aps are "eant to sho! the other se*ret passa'e the one to the island$ It

!ould (e so e#*itin' to dis*over that$ .hat a thrill if !e did .hat !ill the (oys say

!hen !e tell the" theres a*tually a !ay to the island under the sea itself



That "ade :u*y-Ann thin+ of ;a*+, and her fa*e *louded over$ .here !as ;a*+ Had

%hilip 'ot Bill "u's to 'o out in his (oat and res*ue hi" .ere they even no!

(rin'in' ;a*+ safely (a*+ a'ain

As she thou'ht a(out this, she heard %hilips voi*e in the passa'e outside the

sittin'-roo"$ he 0u"ped up in deli'ht$ Had %hilip and Bill (rou'ht (a*+ ;a*+already Ho! "arvellously /ui*+ they had (een he ran to the door 0oyfully$

But outside there !ere only Bill and %hilip no ;a*+$ :u*y-Ann *alled out to the"$

.heres ;a*+ Havent you res*ued hi" .here is he

Bills (oat has (een s"ashed up (y so"eone, said %hilip, 'oin' into the roo"$ o

!e *a"e to 'et ;o-;os$ And thats 'one too$ I suppose ;o-;o is doin' so"e of his

usual ni'ht 5shin'$ o !ere stu"ped dont +no! !hat to do$

The 'irls stared at the t!o in dis"ay$ No (oat no !ay of res*uin' poor ;a*+ :u*y-

Anns eyes 5lled !ith tears as she thou'ht of ;a*+ lost in those dar+ endless *aves,!ith those 5er*e "en ready to *at*h hi" and i"prison hi"$ he felt 'lad he had 8i+i

!ith hi"$

Oh, %hilip, said 6inah, suddenly re"e"(erin', do you +no! !hat 4n*le ;o*elyn told

us toni'ht He said there used to (e a !ay under the sea to the *opper-"ines to the

island He +ne! a(out the other se*ret passa'e, (ut he didnt thin+ it !as still

usa(le$ He !as surprised$ Oh, %hilip, do you suppose the se*ret passa'e to the

island is still there 6o you thin+ it has (een <ooded (y the sea or fallen in Oh, ho!

I !ish !e *ould 5nd it

Bill loo+ed suddenly intensely interested$ He pi*+ed up the (oo+ 6inah held$ This a(oo+ a(out the old house he as+ed$ 6inah nodded$

7es our o!n se*ret passa'e is in it, the one !e found ourselves and I e#pe*t the

other is too, only !e *ant understand the old "aps and the printin'$

.ell, I *an, said Bill, and (e*a"e lost in the (oo+, turnin' over the pa'es slo!ly,

s+ippin' a fe! here and there, loo+in' for details of the !ay to the Isle of Gloo"$

He suddenly (e'an to loo+ e#*ited, and turned over one or t!o pa'es very /ui*+ly$

He loo+ed hard at 5rst one /ueer "ap and then another$ Then he as+ed a pe*uliar

/uestion$

Ho! deep is your !ell here

The !ell said %hilip, in a"a)e"ent$ Ooooh a!fully deep deep as the shaft-hole in

the island, I should thin+$ It 'oes do!n (elo! sea-level, any!ay, (ut theres not a

tra*e of salt in it, of *ourse$



:oo+ here, said Bill, and spelt out a fe! !ords in the (oo+ to "a+e the" *lear to

the *hildren, and then he turned to a "ap$ It sho!ed a deep shaft 'oin' do!n into

the earth$ ee said Bill$ The (e'innin' of the passa'e to the island is do!n at the

(otto" of your !ell$ Its /uite o(vious that that !ould (e the pla*e, any!ay, if Id

thou'ht hard a(out it you see, to 'o under the sea-(ed to the "ines "eans that the

entran*e "ust (e (elo! sea-level and thats the only spot here (elo! sea-level the!ell, of *ourse

Gosh said all three *hildren at on*e$ The !ell They hadnt thou'ht of that$ Ho!

e#traordinary

But theres !ater at the (otto" of the !ell, said %hilip$ 7ou *ant 'o throu'h the

!ater, surely$

No loo+, said Bill "u's, and he pointed to the "ap$ The entran*e to the passa'e is

a(ove the !ater-line of the !ell$ ee These "ust (e steps, I should thin+, *ut in an

openin' of the shaft, leadin' up!ards a little !ay, and then throu'h a passa'e in

the ro*+ itself a natural *ra*+, I i"a'ine, su*h as this *oast is full of !hi*h so"eone

dis*overed, follo!ed up, and (y "eans of pi*+a#es or (lastin', "ade into a usa(le

passa'e$

I see, said %hilip e#*itedly$ I suppose !hen they san+ the shaft for the !ell,

so"eone dis*overed the hole deep do!n, e#plored it, found it !as a sort of natural

passa'e, and, as you say, follo!ed it up, and "ade use of it$ Bill *ould !e 'et do!n

there and 5nd out

Not no!, in the "iddle of the ni'ht, said Bill at on*e$ 7ouve all had enou'h

adventure for this one day !e "ust 'o to (ed$

But (ut !hat a(out ;a*+ as+ed :u*y-Ann, her 'reen eyes !ide !ith an#iety$

.e *ant do anythin' a(out hi" toni'ht, said Bill, 5r"ly (ut +indly$ Any!ay, if hes

*au'ht, hes *au'ht, and if hes not, !e "ay (e a(le to do so"ethin' a(out hi"

to"orro!$ But !e are not 'oin' to 'o do!n !ells in (u*+ets in the dead of ni'ht, so

thats that$ %hilip, Ill sleep !ith you in the to!er-roo" toni'ht$

%hilip !as 'lad$ He did not !ant to sleep alone that ni'ht$ The 'irls !ere sent o2 to

(ed, in spite of their protests that they !ere not tired, and %hilip and Bill *li"(ed

the spiral stair!ay to the /ueer little to!er-roo"$ %hilip sho!ed Bill the !indo! fro"

!hi*h they *ould see the island at ti"es$

Then he sat do!n on the (ed to ta+e o2 his shoes$ But he !as so tired that even the

e2ort of undoin' the la*es !as too "u*h for hi"$ He rolled over on the (ed, shut his

eyes and fell fast asleep, fully dressed as he !as$ Bill loo+ed at hi" and s"iled$ He

dre! a *over over hi", and sat at the !indo! to thin+$ He lit a *i'arette and

thou'ht for a lon' ti"e$



To"orro! !ould sho! !hether or not there !as still a !ay fro" Cra''y-Tops to the

island$ Bill felt *ertain there !ould not (e$ True, the other passa'e !as still usa(le,

(ut that !as very short *o"pared !ith the other and this se*ond one had had the

sea poundin' on top of it for "any, "any years$ A *ra*+ in it a tri*+le of !ater do!n

and the passa'e !ould (e <ooded in a very fe! !ee+s$ Then it !ould (e

i"passa(le$

Bill !ent to (ed at last, stret*hed hi"self out (eside the sleepin' (oy, and fell

asleep hi"self$ He !as a!a+ened (y %hilip, !ho !as sha+in' hi"$

Bill Its "ornin' :ets have (rea+fast and try and 5nd that !ell passa'e$ Hurry

They !ere soon do!nstairs, to 5nd the 'irls there, already *oo+in' (a*on and e''s

for (rea+fast$ .heres ;o-;o as+ed %hilip, in surprise$

Hasnt *o"e (a*+ fro" 5shin' yet, said 6inah, 'ettin' a fried e'' deftly out of the

pan$ Here you are, Bill$ Ill do an e'' for you no!, %hilip$ Its a 'ood thin' ;o-;o isnt

(a*+, isnt it or hed !onder !hat on earth Bill !as doin' here$ He !ould thin+ it all

"i'hty suspi*ious$

;o-;o "ay (e (a*+ at any "inute, said :u*y-Ann$ o lets hurry (efore he *o"es$ Id

0ust hate hi" to stand 'lo!erin' at the head of the !ell !hilst !e e#plore it all that

!ay (elo!$

They 5nished their (rea+fast /ui*+ly$ 6inah had already ta+en so"e to her aunt in

her (edroo", and to her un*le in his study$ he said Aunt %olly !as feelin' a (it

(etter and !ould (e do!n later$ he didnt thin+ 4n*le ;o*elyn had 'one to (ed at

all$

I really (elieve he !or+s all ni'ht lon', said 6inah$ No! have !e all 5nished Ill

leave the !ashin'-up till I 'et (a*+$

They all !ent out into the little yard that lay (ehind the house, (a*+in' on to the

sheer rise of the *li2$ Bill leaned over the !ell$ It *ertainly !as very, very deep$

6o !e 'o do!n in the (u*+et as+ed %hilip$

.e *ould if there !as a really (i' one, said 6inah$ But !e *ant possi(ly 'o do!n in

this$ Not even :u*y-Ann *ould 'et into it$

7ou +no!, said Bill, ta+in' his (i' tor*h fro" his po*+et$ 7ou +no!, if this !ell-shaft

is really the only !ay do!n to the entran*e of the island passa'e, there should (e a

ladder$ I *ant i"a'ine people 'oin' up and do!n in (u*+ets$

.ell there isnt a ladder, said %hilip$ I should have seen it if there !as$

Bill <ashed his tor*h do!n the !ell, e#a"inin' the sides *arefully$ :oo+, he said to

%hilip, it is true there is no ladder (ut do you see those iron staples 0uttin' out fro"



the !all do!n there .ell, those are !hat !ould (e used to help anyone !antin' to

des*end this !ell-hole$ They !ould use the" as steps, holdin' on to the ones a(ove

!ith their hands, and 'oin' do!n (it (y (it feelin' !ith their feet for the ne#t one$

7es said %hilip, in e#*ite"ent$ 7oure ri'ht Thats the !ay that people !ent do!n

in the olden days$ I (et !hen there !as 5'htin' round a(out here, "any refu'eesused this old !ell as a hidin'-pla*e, even if they didnt +no! of the passa'e

entran*e do!n (elo!$ Co"e on, Bill lets 'o do!n$ I" si"ply lon'in' to 'et 'oin'$

.ell, its ti"e !e did, said Bill$ Ill 'o 5rst$ 8eep a !at*h-out for ;o-;o, 6inah$

Chapter =

A ;O49NE7 4N6E9 THE EA

Bill *ouldnt rea*h the 5rst iron staples, so %hilip had to fet*h a rope$ It !as tied

ti'htly to an iron post (y the !ell, and then Bill slipped do!n it, and pla*ed his feet

on the 5rst staples$

I" all ri'ht, he said$ 7ou *o"e alon' as soon as you *an, %hilip let "e 'et do!n a

fe! steps 5rst and for 'oodness sa+e dont slip$

The 'irls !ere not to 'o and, indeed, the thou'ht of 'oin' do!n the steep, *old !ell-

shaft !ith only inse*ure staples for a foot and handhold !as terrifyin' to (oth ofthe"$ They !at*hed the t!o disappearin' do!n into the dar+, and shivered$

Its (eastly to (e left (ehind, (ut I honestly thin+ its (eastlier to 'o do!n there,

said 6inah$ Co"e on !e *ant see or hear Bill and %hilip no! !ed (etter 'o (a*+ to

the +it*hen and do a fe! 0o(s$ Isnt ;o-;o late

They !ent (a*+, !onderin' ho! Bill and %hilip !ere 'ettin' on do!n the !ell$ They

!ere *li"(in' do!n slo!ly (ut surely the staples see"ed to (e as 5r"ly in the !all

as !hen they !ere 5rst driven in$

It !as tirin' !or+, and !ould have (een utterly i"possi(le to ta*+le if it had not(een for une#pe*ted restin'-pla*es let into the !ell-!all every no! and a'ain$ The

5rst one pu))led Bill, till he 'uessed !hat it !as$ It !as an openin' in the !ell-!all,

'oin' (a*+ a fe! feet, (i' enou'h to *rou*h in and rest$ At 5rst Bill had half thou'ht

the 5rst one to (e the entran*e to the passa'e and he !as surprised to *o"e to it

so soon$ But he soon realised !hat it !as, and very than+fully he rested there a fe!

"inutes$ Then %hilip had a rest there, !hile Bill !ent slo!ly do!n!ards, his feet

al!ays feelin' for the ne#t staple$



It see"ed a'es 'oin' do!n the !ell-shaft, and, in fa*t, it too+ the t!o of the"

nearly an hour$ They used ea*h restin'-pla*e, (ut in spite of that they (e*a"e very

tired$ Then suddenly Bills tor*h, !hi*h he had stu*+ into his (elt ali'ht, 'lea"ed on

to dar+ !ater$ They !ere at the (otto"$

.ere there Bill yelled up to %hilip$ I" 0ust 'oin' to loo+ a(out for the entran*e$

It !as easy to 5nd, for there, in the !ell-!all, !as a round, 'apin' hole li+e a s"all

tunnel$ Bill slipped into it$ It !as dar+, sli"y and evil-s"ellin'$ Funny that the air is

still fresh, thou'ht Bill$ But all the !ay do!n the !ell I *ould feel a *urrent of air

(lo!in' round "e so there "ust (e so"e sort of throu'h-drau'ht to +eep it pure$

He !aited for %hilip$ Then the t!o of the" set out on !hat "ust surely have (een

one of the stran'est roads in the !orld a path under the (ed of the sea itself$ At 5rst

the tunnel !as narro! and led up!ards a little (y "eans of steps, and the t!o had

to *rou*h do!n to 'et alon'$ But after a (it it !idened out and (e*a"e hi'her$ It

!as still sli"y and evil-s"ellin', (ut they 'ot used to that$

Then the passa'e led do!n!ards, at ti"es rather steeply$ There !ere rou'h steps

"ade in the steepest part so that travellers "i'ht not slip too "u*h$ But they !ere

so sli"y that even a 'oat !ould have slipped$ Bill *a"e do!n !ith a (u"p, and

%hilip follo!ed al"ost i""ediately$

Ta+e your foot out of "y ne*+, said Bill, tryin' to 'et up$ &y !ord, I a" in a ni*e old

"ess

They !ent on and on$ oon the passa'e stopped des*endin', and +ept level$ It !as

en*losed in the solid ro*+$ There !as no earth, no sand, no *hal+ all ro*+, /uite

(la*+, and 'lintin' !ith /ueer li'hts no! and a'ain$

On*e or t!i*e the passa'e narro!ed so "u*h that it !as al"ost i"possi(le to

s/uee)e throu'h, Good thin' !ere not fat, said %hilip, s/uee)in' in his tu""y to

'et (y$ Golly, that !as a ti'ht 5t Have the ro*+s *o"e *lose to'ether durin' the

years, Bill or do you suppose the passa'e !as al!ays narro! there

Al!ays, I should thin+, said Bill$ Its a perfe*tly natural 5ssure in the ro*+y (ed

under the sea an a"a)in' one thou'h I have heard of others li+e this in di2erent

parts of the !orld$ I (elieve this *oast has a 'ood "any$

It !as !ar" in the passa'e$ Here and there the air !as not 'ood and the "an and(oy (e'an to pant$ There see"ed to (e po*+ets of airlessness$ But on !ent the t!o,

on and on, their tor*hes 'lea"in' on (la*+, sli"y !alls, out of !hi*h still shone

/ueer phosphores*ent li'hts no! and a'ain$ %hilip (e'an to feel as if he !as in a

drea"$ He said so$

.ell, youre not, *a"e Bills reassurin' voi*e$ .ere in a /ueer pla*e, (ut a perfe*tly

real one$ Its no drea"$ :i+e "e to pin*h you



.ell, I thin+ I !ould, said %hilip, !ho really did feel rather /ueer after so "u*h ti"e

in the dar+ narro! !ay$ o Bill pin*hed hi" and it !as a very hard pin*h that "ade

%hilip yell$

All ri'ht he said$ I" a!a+e and not drea"in'$ No(ody !ould (e silly enou'h to

drea" that pin*h$

uddenly Bill felt so"ethin' runnin' (y his feet, and he loo+ed do!n in 'reat

astonish"ent, s!in'in' his tor*h do!n!ards too$ To his enor"ous surprise he sa! a

s"all "ouse loo+in' up at hi"$ Bill stopped in astonish"ent$

:oo+ here, he said$ A "ouse$ A "ouse do!n here .hat does it live on Its a "ost

in*redi(le thin'$ I si"ply *annot i"a'ine any ani"al livin' do!n in this passa'e

under the sea$

%hilip *hu*+led$ Its all ri'ht Its only .oy, "y pet "ouse$ It "ust have run do!n

"y sleeve and hopped out$

.ell, it had (etter hop in a'ain, if it !ants to live, said Bill$ No ani"al *ould last

do!n here for lon'$

Oh, it !ill *o"e (a*+ !hen it !ants to, said %hilip$ It !ont leave "e for lon'$

They had to have t!o or three rests, for the !ay !as tirin' and di3*ult$ It !ent

*uriously strai'ht for a ti"e and then see"ed to 'o in 0er+s, havin' little (its that

!ent o2 at ri'ht an'les for a fe! feet, only to *o"e (a*+ to the strai'ht a'ain$ %hilip

(e'an to !onder ho! lon' his tor*h !ould last$ He felt suddenly fri'htened at the

thou'ht of (ein' left in the dar+ do!n there$ upposin' Bills tor*h 'ave out as !ell

But Bill reassured hi"$ Ive 'ot another (attery in "y po*+et, he told %hilip, so dont

!orry$ .e shall (e all ri'ht$ And that re"inds "e Ive 'ot a pa*+et of (oiled s!eets

so"e!here$ I *ant help feelin' it !ould "a+e this a!ful 0ourney easier if !e su*+ed

one or t!o$

There !as a pause !hilst Bill sear*hed his po*+ets$ He found the s!eets, and soon

the t!o of the" !ere su*+in' a!ay hard$ Certainly it "ade thin's easier, so"eho!,

to have a ni*e (i' (oiled s!eet tu*+ed a!ay in his "outh, %hilip thou'ht$

Ho! far do you thin+ !eve 'one as+ed %hilip$ Half-!ay

Cant tell, said Bill$ Hallo !hats this

He paused and shone his tor*h in front of hi"$ The !ay appeared to (e (lo*+ed$

Gosh it loo+s li+e a roof-fall, said Bill$ .ell, if it is, !ere done$ .eve 'ot nothin' to

*lear up the "ess !ith, to see if !e *an 'et (y$



But, to their 'reat relief, the fall !as very sli'ht, and !ith the *o"(ined stren'th of

(oth of the", the "ain ro*+ that stopped their pro'ress !as re"oved to one side,

and they "ana'ed to *lear it$

I say, said %hilip, after a lon' ti"e of 'ropin' alon' the passa'e, do you noti*e that

the ro*+s are *han'in' *olour, Bill Theyre not (la*+ any lon'er$ Theyre reddish$ 6oyou thin+ that "eans !e are nearin' the "ines

7es, I thin+ it pro(a(ly does, said Bill$ Its distin*tly hopeful$ I dont +no! ho! "any

hours !e have (een so far it see"s a(out a hundred at least (ut I do thin+ its a(out

ti"e !e !ere nearin' that !ret*hed island$

I" 'lad !e had su*h a 'ood (rea+fast, said %hilip$ I" (e'innin' to feel very

hun'ry a'ain no!, thou'h$ I !ish !e had (rou'ht so"e food !ith us$

Ive 'ot plenty of *ho*olate, said Bill$ Ill 'ive you so"e presently if it hasnt "elted$

Its so hot do!n here no! that I shouldnt (e surprised if it has$

It had *ertainly 'ot very soft, (ut it hadnt "elted$ It !as 'ood *ho*olate sli'htly

(itter, (ut really deli*ious to the hun'ry (oy$ He !ent on the dreary !ay, feelin' the

sli"y !alls, noti*in' the *oppery 'lea"s in the", !onderin' ho! "u*h lon'er it

!ould (e (efore the end *a"e$

Have you (y any *han*e 'ot that "ap on you *alled Bill suddenly$ I for'ot to tell

you to ta+e it$ .e shall need it soon$

7es$ Its in "y po*+et, said %hilip$ Hallo, loo+ the passa'e is !idenin' out

tre"endously

It !as$ It suddenly ended and *a"e out into a (i' open spa*e, evidently the end of

the "ine-!or+in's$ It "ust have (een here that the *opper had run out, thou'ht

%hilip$ .hat (i' "ines they "ust have (een and ho! ri*h at one ti"e

.ell here !e are at last, said Bill, in a lo! voi*e$ And re"e"(er that fro" no! on

!e dont "a+e any noise, %hilip$ .e "ust 5nd ;a*+, if !e *an, !ithout attra*tin' any

attention at all$

%hilip felt astonished$ But, Bill, he said, !hy *ant you 0ust 'o to the part of the

"ine !here your friends are !or+in' and as+ the" !here old Fre*+les is .hy all

the hush-hush, "ustnt-tal+-loudly (usiness I dont understand$

.ell, I have "y reasons, said Bill$ o please respe*t the", %hilip, even if you dont

+no! !hat they are$ Co"e on !heres that "ap

%hilip pulled it fro" his po*+et$ Bill too+ it, opened it, spread it on a *onveniently <at

ro*+, shone his tor*h on it and studied it very *arefully$ At last he put his 5n'er on a

*ertain pla*e$



:oo+, he said$ Thats !here !e are see 9i'ht at the end of the !or+in's$ I thin+

this (it here sho!s the (e'innin' of the undersea passa'e, (ut I" not sure$ No!,

tell "e !hi*h of these "any !ays did you ta+e !hen you *a"e into the "ines fro"

the shaft-hole

.ell theres the shaft !e !ent do!n, said %hilip, pointin' to !here it !as "ar+edon the "ap$ And heres the "ain passa'e !e +ept to and there is the *ave !ith the

(ri'ht li'ht and it !as so"e!here a(out there !e heard the *latterin', (an'in'

noise of "en at !or+$

Good, said Bill, pleased$ I have /uite a *lear idea of !here to 'o no!$ Co"e alon'

as /uietly as possi(le$ .e !ill "a+e for the "ain passa'e, and then see if !e *an

spot ;a*+ any!here a(out or hear of hi"$

They "ade their !ay very *arefully up the !ide "ain passa'e, o2 !hi*h "any side

'alleries !ent$ Bill held his 5n'er over the (ea" of his tor*h so as not to "a+e too

"u*h li'ht$ They !ere not yet near the *ave !here the *hildren had seen the (ri'ht

li'ht and heard noises$ But they !ould *o"e to it sooner or later, %hilip +ne!$

h suddenly said Bill, stoppin' so /ui*+ly that %hilip (u"ped into hi"$ I *an hear

so"ethin'$ It sounded li+e footsteps$

They stood and listened$ It !as !eird standin' there in the dar+ness, hearin' the

"ued (oo" of the 'reat !aters "ovin' restlessly on the ro*+y (ed of the sea

overhead$ %hilip thou'ht he *ould hear a noise too so"eones foot +i*+in' a'ainst a

loose pe((le$

Then there !as *o"plete silen*e$ o on they !ent a'ain, and then on*e "ore they

thou'ht they heard a noise, this ti"e near to the"$ And Bill felt sure that he *ould

hear so"eone (reathin' not far o2$ He held his o!n (reath to listen$

But perhaps that other, hidden person !as holdin' his (reath too, for Bill *ould hear

nothin' then$ It !as very !eird$ He "oved for!ard silently !ith %hilip$

They *a"e to a sudden *orner, and Bill 'roped round it, for he and %hilip had put

out their tor*hes as soon as they had heard any noise$ And, as Bill rea*hed out to

'rope for the !all, so"eone else also rea*hed out, *o"in' in the opposite dire*tion$

Then, (efore %hilip +ne! !hat !as happenin', he heard loud e#*la"ations, and felt

Bill and so"e(ody else stru''lin' to'ether violently 0ust in front of hi"$ Golly, no!

!hat !as happenin'

Chapter =D

AN ET9AO96INA97 FIN6



And no! !hat had happened to ;a*+ and 8i+i all this ti"e A 'reat deal so"e of it

"ost astonishin' and un(elieva(le$

;a*+ had not +no!n that the others had es*aped in fa*t, he had not even +no!n that

they had (een i"prisoned$ He had !andered o2 after the parrot, and had (e*o"e

/uite lost$ The "en, as !e +no!, had heard 8i+i s/uealin' and shoutin' so"e hours

later, !hen they had (een *hasin' %hilip and the 'irls, (ut they had 'one do!n the

!ron' passa'e after the" and had not seen the"$

o there !as poor ;a*+, lost and terri5ed, !ith a forlorn 8i+i *lut*hin' hard at his

shoulder$ The (oy !andered do!n a "a)e of 'alleries, *o"in' to "ore and "ore old

a(andoned !or+in's$ He !as afraid that his tor*h !ould 'ive out$ He !as afraid of

the roof fallin' in on top of hi"$ He !as afraid of a 'reat "any thin's$

I "ay (e lost for ever do!n here, he thou'ht$ I "ay (e !anderin' "iles a!ay fro"

that "ain passa'e$

He suddenly *a"e to a 'reat hole in the roof a(ove hi", and realised that he had

*o"e to another shaft$ Of *ourse there !ere /uite a nu"(er of the", ;a*+ thou'ht,

his heart (e'innin' to thu"p$ Than+ 'oodness no! I *an *li"( up and 'et out into

the open air$

But, to the (oys dis"ay, there !as no !ay of 'ettin' up the shaft$ .hatever ladder

or rope there had on*e (een had rotted or fallen a!ay there !as a(solutely no !ay

of *li"(in' up$

It !as a!ful to stand there at the (otto", +no!in' that freedo", dayli'ht and freshair !ere at the top, and yet !ith no "eans of rea*hin' the"$

If I !ere a 'irl, I (et Id (urst into tears, said ;a*+ out loud, feelin' so"ethin'

suspi*iously li+e tears pri*+in' at the (a*+ of his eyelids$ But as I" a (oy, I "ust

0ust 'rin and (ear it$

He 'ave a deter"ined 'rin$ 8i+i listened to his !ords !ith her head on one side$

%ut the +ettle on, she said sy"patheti*ally$ That "ade ;a*+ 'ive a really 'ood 'rin$

7ou are an idiot, he said a2e*tionately$ No!, the thin' is !here do !e 'o ne#t I

feel as if I a" pro(a(ly !anderin' in the sa"e passa'es over and over a'ain$ But

!ait a "inute the shafts are all on the island itself so I "ust have retra*ed "y steps

so"eho!, (e*ause !e !ere all under the sea-(ed at one ti"e$ As far as I

re"e"(er, those shafts all *onne*ted up !ith one "ore or less strai'ht tunnel$ Ill

'o do!n here and see if (y any *han*e I *o"e to the "ain shaft$ If I do, I *an 'o up

it$



;a*+ stu"(led on, and *a"e to a (lo*+ed-up part, i"possi(le to 'et (y$ o he had to

'o (a*+ a 'ood !ay and start out a'ain, only to *o"e to another roof-fall$ It !as

very disheartenin'$ 8i+i (e*a"e tired of this lon' 0ourney in the dar+ passa'es, and

'ave a realisti* ya!n$

%ut your hand (efore your "outh, she told herself severely$ Ho! "any ti"es have Itold you to shut the door God save the 8in'$

.ell, your ya!n "ade "e ya!n too, said ;a*+, and he sat do!n$ .hat a(out a rest,

8i+i I" 'ettin' terri(ly tired$

He leaned (a*+ a'ainst the ro*+y !all and shut his eyes$ He fell into a do)e, !hi*h

lasted an hour or t!o$ .hen he a!o+e he hardly +ne! !here he !as, and felt

fri'htened !hen he re"e"(ered$ He 'ot to his feet, !ith 8i+i still 5r"ly on his

shoulder$

No!, its no 'ood 'ettin' into a pani*, he told hi"self sternly$ ;ust 'o on !al+in',

and sooner or later you !ill 'et so"e!here$

It !as !hilst he !as stu"(lin' throu'h the "any passa'es that 8i+i heard the noise

of the "en *hasin' the *hildren, and shouted loudly$ But ;a*+ heard nothin', and

turned o2 into a !indin' passa'e 0ust (efore the "en *a"e up$ He did not +no!

that he !as near to the !ide shaft-hole (ut presently he *a"e to the (i' "ain

passa'e, and stopped$

Can this (e the !ide passa'e !e sa! on the "ap he thou'ht$ It "ay (e$ If only I

had a (ri'hter tor*h I hope to 'oodness its not 'oin' to fade out$ It doesnt see"

so (ri'ht as it !as$

He !ent do!n the passa'e, and sa! so"e rou'h-he!n steps in the ro*+, leadin'

up!ards$ Out of *uriosity the (oy *li"(ed the", and *a"e to another passa'e,

!hi*h evidently led to yet another !or+in'$ He stu"(led and fell a'ainst the !all,

dislod'in' a stone or s"all ro*+, !hi*h fell do!n !ith a *rash$ ;a*+ held up his tor*h

to see !here it had fallen fro", afraid that the roof !as *avin' in$

But it !asnt$ His tor*h 'lea"ed on to so"ethin' that shone *oppery-red a lar'e,

irre'ular +ind of stone, thou'ht ;a*+$ And then he suddenly realised that it !asnt a

stone it !as yes, it "ust (e a lar'e *opper nu''et Golly, !hat a (eauty Could he

possi(ly *arry it

.ith tre"(lin' hands the (oy prised the nu''et *arefully a!ay fro" its pla*e$ It !as

on a +ind of shelf "ade (y a *ra*+ in the ro*+ 0ust there$ Had so"eone hidden it

there, years a'o Or had it (een pla*ed there (y one of the "en !or+in' the "ines

no! Or !as it there naturally, a real nu''et in the depth of the earth ;a*+ didnt

+no!$



It !as heavy, (ut he *ould *arry it$ A nu''et of *opper The (oy +ept repeatin' the

!ords to hi"self$ Al"ost as 'ood as 5ndin' a Great Au+ not /uite as thrillin', of

*ourse, (ut al"ost$ .hat !ould the others say

;a*+ thou'ht he had (etter +eep out of the !ay of the "iners "ore than ever no!$

They "i'ht ta+e the nu''et fro" hi"$ It "i'ht le'ally (e theirs, of *ourse, (ut hedid !ant to have the thrill of sho!in' it to the others as his 5nd (efore he 'ave it up

to anyone$

The (oy !ent (a*+ to the "ain passa'e !ith the nu''et in his hands$ He had to put

his tor*h into his (elt no!, as he *ould not *arry it as !ell as the *opper, and it !as

di3*ult to "a+e his !ay alon', (e*ause the tor*h shone al"ost dire*tly do!n!ards

instead of for!ards$

Hallo said ;a*+, stoppin' suddenly as he heard a noise in the distan*e$ I rather

thin+ I" *o"in' to!ards that *latterin' noise !e heard (efore !here the "en are

!or+in'$ %erhaps I" near the other *hildren too$

The (oy *rept for!ard$ He !ent into a passa'e that turned suddenly round a *orner

and there (efore hi" !as the (rilliantly li'hted *ave a'ain$ :ast ti"e he had seen it,

it had (een e"pty this ti"e there !ere "en there$ They !ere undoin' the (o#es

and *rates that the *hildren had seen there (efore$ ;a*+ !at*hed, !onderin' !hat

!as in the"$

I" in the sa"e passa'e as I !as !hen 8i+i <e! o2 and I !ent after her, thou'ht

;a*+$ I do !onder !hat has happened to the others$ Golly, (ut its 'ood to se* a

(ri'ht li'ht a'ain$ If I *rou*h (a*+ here, (ehind this 0uttin' ro*+, I dont (elieve

anyone !ill see "e$

8i+i !as a(solutely /uiet$ The (rilliant li'ht fri'htened her after (ein' so lon' in the

dar+ness$ he *rou*hed on the (oys shoulder, !at*hin'$

There !ere tins in the (o#es and *rates tins of "eat and fruit$ ;a*+ felt very hun'ry

!hen he sa! the", for he had had nothin' to eat for a lon' ti"e$ The "en opened

a fe! of the tins, poured the *ontents out on to tin plates, and (e'an to eat, tal+in'

to ea*h other$ ;a*+ *ould not hear !hat they !ere sayin'$ He felt so hun'ry that he

al"ost !al+ed out to the "en to (e' for so"e of their food$

But they didnt loo+ very ni*e "en$ They !ore trousers only, (elted at the !aist, and

nothin' else$ It !as so hot in the "ines that it !as i"possi(le to !ear "any *lothes$ ;a*+ !ished he *ould !ear only shorts, (ut he +ne! he !ould not li+e 8i+is *la!s on

his (are shoulder$

The "en 5nished their "eal, and then !ent do!n a passa'e or 'allery at the

further end of the *ave they !ere in$ There !as no-one there no!$ The *latterin',

(an'in' noise (e'an a'ain$ Evidently the "en !ere at !or+ on*e "ore$



;a*+ *rept out into the (rilliantly li'hted *ave$ The li'ht *a"e fro" three la"ps hun'

fro" the roof$ ;a*+ loo+ed into the open tins$ There !as a little "eat left in one and

so"e pineapple *hun+s in another$ He 5nished the" up /ui*+ly$ He thou'ht that

never in his life had he tasted anythin' so deli*ious as the leavin's in those tins$

He de*ided to *reep over to the passa'e do!n !hi*h the "en had 'one (a*+ to!or+$ It !ould (e e#*itin' to see ho! "en !or+ed in a *opper-"ine$ 6id they use

pi*+a#es 6id they (last out the *opper .hat !ere they doin' to "a+e all that

noise It really sounded as if it *a"e fro" so"e (i' "a*hine (usily at !or+$

He *rept do!n the passa'e, and then found that he !as loo+in' into another *ave$

He !as "ost astonished at !hat he sa!$ There !ere a(out a do)en "en there, (usy

!ith a nu"(er of "a*hines that *lattered and (an'ed, "a+in' /uite a deafenin'

noise that e*hoed round the *ave$ There !as an en'ine of so"e sort !hi*h added to

the din$

.hat /ueer "a*hinery thou'ht ;a*+, starin'$ Ho! ever in the !orld did they 'et it

all do!n here into the "ines They "ust have (rou'ht it do!n in pie*es, and then

put the" to'ether here$ Golly, ho! (usy it all is, and !hat a noise it "a+es

;a*+ !at*hed in !onder$ .ere they e#tra*tin' *opper (y "eans of this "a*hine He

+ne! va'uely that "any "etals had to (e roasted or s"elted or !or+ed in so"e

!ay (efore they !ere pure$ He supposed they !ere doin' that$ It !as plain, then,

that the *opper in these "ines !as not usually found in (i' nu''ets, su*h as the

one ;a*+ !as even no! holdin'$

One of the "en !iped his forehead and *a"e fro" the "a*hine to!ards ;a*+s

hidin'-pla*e$ The (oy darted a!ay, and !ent into a s"all (lind passa'e to !ait till

the "an had passed$ He *a"e (a*+ *arryin' a "u' of !ater$ ;a*+ !aited in the little

(lind passa'e for a "inute or t!o, leanin' a'ainst !hat he thou'ht !as the !all$

But suddenly the !all 'ave !ay a little, and the (oy slipped (a*+!ards$ Then,

puttin' his tor*h on, he found that it !as no !all (ut a stron' !ooden door, leadin'

into a *ell-li+e pla*e rather li+e the one in !hi*h the other *hildren had (een

i"prisoned$

Hearin' footsteps, he hurriedly !ent into the *ell and pushed the door shut$ The

footsteps !ent (y$ ;a*+ s!it*hed on his tor*h a'ain to see !hat !as in the *ave$

It !as sta*+ed !ith (undles upon (undles of *risp papers, the sa"e si)es put

to'ether and the sa"e *olours, ti'htly fastened to'ether$ ;a*+ loo+ed at the" and

then he loo+ed a'ain, (lin+in' his eyes in a"a)e"ent$

In that *ell-li+e *ave !ere thousands of (undles of paper "oney$ There !ere (undles

of one-pound notes, (undles of 5ve-pound notes, (undles of ten-pound notes there

they !ere, neatly sta*+ed to'ether, a fortune 'reat enou'h to "a+e anyone a

"illionaire in a ni'ht$



No! I really "ust (e drea"in', thou'ht ;a*+, ru((in' his eyes$ Theres no dou(t

a(out it$ I" in a very e#traordinary drea"$ In a "inute I shall !a+e up and lau'h$

%eople si"ply dont 5nd thin's li+e this treasure in a *ave under'round$ .hy, I

"i'ht (e in the "iddle of so"e !onderful fairy story$ Its /uite i"possi(le Id (etter

!a+e up i""ediately$

Chapter =

A BA6 TI&E AN6 A 49%9IE &EETING

But ;a*+ didnt !a+e up and for a very 'ood reason too$ He !asnt asleep$

He !as !ide a!a+e and starin' at this *olossal fortune in paper "oney$ It didnt

"a+e sense$ .hy !as it all stored here, in this *ave under'round .ho did it (elon'

to .hy didnt they put it into a (an+ in the usual !ay

%erhaps the "en !or+in' this "ine are 5ndin' a lot of *opper and sellin' it se*retly,

and +eepin' the "oney here that they 'et for it, thou'ht ;a*+$ He !as so lost in

a"a)e"ent at the si'ht of su*h a fortune piled up there in front of hi" that he did

not hear so"eone *o"in' to the door of the *ave he !as in$

The "an !ho opened the door and sa! ;a*+ in the *ave !as even "ore surprised

than ;a*+ hi"self$ He stood starin' at the (oy !ith his "outh !ide open, and his

eyes al"ost fallin' out of his head$ Then he dra''ed the (oy rou'hly out of the *ell,

and pulled hi" to the roo" !here the "a*hine !as !or+in'$

:oo+ here yelled the "an$ :oo+ here I found hi" in the store-roo"$

The "a*hine !as stopped at on*e$ The "en 'athered round ;a*+ and his *aptor$

One of the" stepped for!ard$ It !as ;a+e$

He loo+ed very evil and the (la*+ pat*h he !ore over one eye "ade hi" loo+ "ost

pe*uliar$ He shoo+ ;a*+ so rou'hly that the (oy lost his (reath *o"pletely and san+

do!n on the 'round !hen ;a+e let 'o his ar"$

.here are the rest of you said ;a+e$ 7ou tell "e, see .ho are you !ith .hat are

you all doin' do!n here .hat do you +no!

;a*+ pi*+ed up his nu''et, loo+ed round for 8i+i, !ho had <o!n in fri'ht to the roof

of the *ave, and tried to thin+ !hat to ans!er for the (est$ The "en too+ no noti*e

of his (i' *opper nu''et, !hi*h surprised ;a*+ very "u*h$ He had (een afraid they

!ould ta+e it a!ay fro" hi" at on*e$



I dont +no! !here the others are, he said at last$ .e *a"e to this island to'ether,

t!o (oys and t!o 'irls, and I 'ot separated fro" the others$

.ho else !as !ith you de"anded ;a+e$ 7ou +ids didnt *o"e here (y yourselves$

.e did, insisted ;a*+$ I say !ho does all that "oney in there (elon' to

The listenin' "en "ade so"e lo!, threatenin' noises, and ;a*+ 'a)ed round

uneasily$ ;a+es fa*e 're! (la*+$ He loo+ed round at the "en$

o"ethin's up, he said, and the "en nodded$ He turned a'ain to ;a*+$ No! loo+

here, he said, you +no! a lot "ore than youve told us youve pi*+ed up so"ethin'

fro" others, havent you !ell, you 0ust tell us all you +no!, or you "ay never see

dayli'ht a'ain$ ee Is that *lear

It !as horri(ly *lear$ ;a*+ (e'an to tre"(le$ 8i+i 'ave a s*ree*h that "ade everyone

0u"p$

I dont +no! !hat you "ean, said ;a*+ desperately$ All !e +ne! !as that so"eone

!as !or+in' these *opper-"ines a'ain, 'ettin' *opper, and that Bill "u's !as

ta+in' food here in his (oat$ Thats honestly all I +no!$

Bill "u's, repeated ;a+e$ Thats !hat the other +ids said$ .ho is this Bill "u's

;a*+ !as pu))led$ Isnt that his real na"e he said$

.hats his real na"e suddenly said ;a+e, so threatenin'ly that ;a*+ dropped his

pre*ious nu''et in a pani*, thin+in' the "an !as 'oin' to stri+e hi"$ It fell on the

ed'e of ;a+es foot and the "an pi*+ed it up and had a loo+ at it$

.hats this stone youre *arryin' a(out he said, in *uriosity$ Are you +ids "ad A

parrot and a heavy stone Bill "u's *opper-"ines$ 7oure all *ra)y$

I thin+ this +id +no!s "ore than hes said, said Olly, steppin' (eside ;a+e$ .hat

a(out lo*+in' hi" up !ithout any food for a day or so That !ill "a+e hi" tal+$ Or

!hat a(out a 'ood (eatin'

;a*+ !ent pale, (ut he did not sho! that he !as afraid$ I dont +no! any "ore than

Ive already told you, he said$ .hat is there to +no!, any!ay .hats the "ystery

Ta+e hi" a!ay, said ;a+e rou'hly$ Hell tal+ !hen hes half starved$

Olly too+ the (oy (y the shoulder and led hi" rou'hly fro" the *ave, proddin' hi"

un+indly as he did so$ He led hi" to the sa"e *ell-li+e *ave in !hi*h the other

*hildren had (een i"prisoned$ ;ust as he !as pushin' the (oy in, 8i+i <e! do!n and

ha*+ed vi*iously at the "ans fa*e !ith her *urved (ea+$ Olly put up his hands to

prote*t hi"self, and dropped his tor*h$ It !ent out$



;a*+ slipped s!iftly to the side and *rou*hed outside the *ell in silen*e$ 8i+i did not

+no! !here he !as$ he <e! into the *ell and per*hed on the ta(le there, in

*o"plete dar+ness$

No! then, no! then, !hat a pity she said loudly$ The *ell door (an'ed$ Olly had

shut it on the parrot, thin+in' that it !as ;a*+ tal+in' inside there$ He had not even+no!n that the (ird *ould tal+$

He turned the +ey in the lo*+$ 8i+i !as still tal+in' a!ay softly, thou'h neither ;a*+

nor Olly *ould hear the !ords$ As Olly !as turnin' a!ay, ;a+e *a"e up$

6id you put hi" in he as+ed, and <ashed his tor*h on to the shut door$

7es, said Olly$ Hes 'assin' a!ay to hi"self in there you *an hear hi" I thin+ hes

"ad$

The "en listened, and 8i+is voi*e *a"e *learly fro" the *ell$ .hat a pity, !hat a

pity

Hes sorry for hi"self, isnt he said ;a+e, and then he 'ave su*h a horri(le lau'h

that ;a*+s heart !ent *old !ith fear$ Hell (e sorrier still soon$

The "en !ent (a*+ to the "a*hine *ave and soon the *latterin', (an'in' noises

(e'an a'ain$ ;a*+ stood up$ 8i+i had saved hi" fro" a horri(le punish"ent poor

8i+i$ he didnt +no! she had saved hi"$ ;a*+ "oved to the door, "eanin' to unlo*+

it and 'et the parrot out$

But the +ey !as 'one$ One of the "en "ust have ta+en it$ o 8i+i !as a prisoner, a

real prisoner, and !ould have to stay there till so"eone let her out$

But any!ay ;a*+ hi"self !as free$ Theres so"ethin' !ron' a(out all this (usiness,

the (oy thou'ht$ o"ethin' !ron' a(out all that "oney and those /ueer "a*hines$

The "en are (ad$ They *ant (e friends of Bills$ .eve "ade a "ista+e$

He !ent do!n the passa'e *arefully, not darin' to s!it*h on his tor*h$ If only he

*ould 5nd the shaft-hole and 'o up it$ %erhaps the others !ould (e at the top,

!aitin' for hi" Or had they 'one (a*+ ho"e and left hi" all alone .as it still day-

ti"e or !as it ni'ht

;a*+ stu"(led alon' passa'e after passa'e, !ishin' that 8i+i !as !ith hi" for

*o"pany$ He felt lonely and afraid no!$ He !anted to tal+ to so"e(ody$ He !anted

to see the others$

At last he !as so tired that he *ould not 'o on$ He *urled up in a *orner of a s"all

*ave, shut his eyes and fell into a restless, un*o"forta(le +ind of sleep$ For hours he

slept, tired out, his li"(s 'ettin' sti2 as he lay there$ And 8i+i slept too, in the *ave,

pu))led and an'ry, "issin' her "aster as "u*h as he "issed her$



.hen ;a*+ a!o+e he put up his hand to feel 8i+i, as he often did (ut the (ird !as

not on his shoulder, Then he re"e"(ered$ 8i+i !as a prisoner$ Be*ause of her and

her a(ility to tal+ li+e a hu"an (ein', he, ;a*+, !as free$

He +ne! a lot$ He +ne! a(out the hidden treasure$ He +ne! a(out those /ueer

"a*hines !hi*h !ere so !ell hidden in these under'round *aves for so"e sinisterreason$ He +ne! that the "en !or+in' the" !ere (ad "en$ If they thou'ht their

se*ret, !hatever it !as, had (een dis*overed, they !ould not stop at anythin'$

The thin' Ive 'ot to do, the thin' I really "ust do, is to es*ape and tell !hat I +no!,

thou'ht ;a*+$ I so"eho! thin+ I ou'ht to 'o to the poli*e$ Id li+e to 'o and tell Bill

(e*ause I thin+ no! hes not in lea'ue !ith those "en (ut I" still not *ertain$

Any!ay, the thin' is Ive 'ot to tell so"e(ody$

o on*e "ore the (oy (e'an his endless !anderin' in the !or+in's of the "ines$ 4p

and do!n lon', "usty passa'es he !ent, his tor*h no! 'ivin' hi" only a very poor

li'ht$

And then suddenly it 'ave out alto'ether$ ;a*+ tapped it a little$ He s*re!ed and

uns*re!ed the (otto"$ But the (attery !as dead no li'ht !ould *o"e fro" his tor*h

unless he put in a ne! (attery and *ertainly he *ould not do that at the "o"ent$

;a*+ really did feel afraid then$ There !as only one hope no! of es*ape, and that

!as to 5nd, (y 'ood lu*+, the shaft leadin' up to the open air$ But that !as a very

poor *han*e indeed$

He !andered on, 'ropin' his !ay, his hand out (efore his fa*e, *arryin' the nu''et

un*o"forta(ly under his ar", holdin' it there !ith his other hand$ Then he thou'ht

he heard so"ethin'$ He stopped and listened$ No it !as nothin'$

He !ent on a'ain, and suddenly stopped$ He *ouldnt help feelin' that people !ere

near$ .as that so"e(ody (reathin' He stood in the dar+, holdin' his (reath and

listenin'$ But he heard nothin'$ &ay(e, he thou'ht, the other person is holdin' his

(reath and listenin' too$

He !ent on and suddenly he (u"ped hard into so"e(ody$ .as it ;a+e, or Olly He

(e'an to stru''le desperately and the other person held on to hi" 5r"ly, hurtin'

his ar"$ The nu''et dropped to the 'round and hit ;a*+s foot$

Oh, "y foot, "y foot 'roaned poor ;a*+$

There !as an astonished silen*e$ Then a po!erful tor*h !as s!it*hed on (y his

*aptor, and a voi*e said in a"a)e"ent, .hy, its ;a*+

Fre*+les *a"e %hilips voi*e too, and he ran to ;a*+ and 'ave hi" an a2e*tionate

slap on the (a*+$ Fre*+les .hat lu*+ to *o"e a*ross you li+e this



Tufty And Bill said ;a*+, his voi*e (rea+in' in a /ueer !ay, !ith 0oy and relief$ Oh,

the deli'ht of hearin' a fa"iliar voi*e after so "any hours of lonely dar+ness The

0oy of seein' %hilip, his tuft of hair sti*+in' up fro" his forehead as usual And Bill,

!ith his fa"iliar 'rin, his t!in+lin' eyes, and his 'ood dependa(le feelin' of 'ro!n-

upness ;a*+ !as 'lad to have a 'ro!n-up to help hi"$ Children *ould "eddle in

thin's to a *ertain e#tent (ut there often *a"e a ti"e !hen you had to lean on the'ro!n-ups$

He 'ave a 'ulp, and Bill patted hi" on the (a*+$ Fine to see you, ;a*+$ I (et youve

'ot plenty to tell us$

I have, said ;a*+$ He too+ out his hand+er*hief and (le! his nose hard$ Then he felt

(etter$ .here are the 'irls

afe at ho"e, said %hilip$ .e "issed you so"eho! do!n in the "ines yesterday,

;a*+, and !e 'ot ta+en prisoner, (ut !e es*aped, 'ot up the shaft-hole, found our

(oat and sailed a!ay in the half-dar+$ I !ent to 5nd old Bill, and here he is$ .e

*ouldnt *o"e in his (oat (e*ause it !as s"ashed (y so"eone and ;o-;os (oat !as

'one too$

.ell ho! did you *o"e then as+ed ;a*+ in astonish"ent$

Theres a !ay under the sea fro" Cra''y-Tops to here, said %hilip$ .hat do you

thin+ of that .e found it in an old (oo+ a(out Cra''y-Tops$ It too+ us a'es to *o"e$

It !as very !eird$ I didnt li+e it "u*h$ But here !e are$

;a*+ !as really a"a)ed to hear ho! they had *o"e$ He /uestioned the" ea'erly$

But Bill had a fe! /uestions to as+ ;a*+$ This is all "u*h "ore i"portant than you

thin+, ;a*+, he said$ :ets sit do!n$ Ive 'ot an idea you *an solve a (i' "ystery for

"e$

Chapter =

A :OT OF THING A9E &A6E C:EA9

Ive 'ot so"e /ueer thin's to tell you, said ;a*+ ea'erly$ First of all, !hat do you

thin+ I found A *ave a(solutely *ho*+ full of "oney paper "oney notes, you +no!$

.ell, I should thin+ there "ust have (een thousands and thousands of pounds

!orth there youve si"ply no idea$

Ah, said Bill "u's, in a voi*e full of satisfa*tion$ Ah No! that really is ne!s$ Fine,

;a*+



Then I sa! a lot of "a*hines at !or+, !ent on ;a*+, pleased to 5nd that his ne!s

!as so intensely interestin' to Bill$ And an en'ine$ I thou'ht it !as to s"elt or roast

the *opper, or !hatever they have to do !ith it, (ut one of the "a*hines loo+ed li+e

a printin' press

Ah-ha aid Bill, !ith even 'reater satisfa*tion in his voi*e$ This is !onderful ne!s$A"a)in' ;a*+, youve solved a 5ve-year-old "ystery a "ystery that has (een

pu))lin' the Govern"ent and the !hole of the poli*e for a lon' ti"e$

.hat "ystery as+ed ;a*+$

I (et I +no!, put in %hilip e#*itedly$ Bill, that "a*hinery is for printin' false paper

"oney, isnt it *ounterfeit notes dud "oney$ And the "oney, in notes, that ;a*+

found, is so"e stored there after (ein' printed$ It !ill (e ta+en fro" this island and

used (y the thieves or their "asters$

7ouve 0ust a(out hit it, said Bill$ .eve (een after this 'an' for years *ouldnt 5nd

!here they had their printin'-out5t installed *ouldnt "a+e out !here the "oney

appeared fro"$ Its e#*ellently done only an e#pert *an tell the di2eren*e (et!een a

real (an+-note and these dud ones$

Bill o the "en arent !or+in' the *opper-"ines then *ried ;a*+, in astonish"ent$

.e !ere !ron' a(out that$ They *hose these old "ines, not to !or+ any *opper in

the", (ut to hide their printin' "a*hines, and to do all their !or+ in safety$ Ho!

*lever Ho! a!fully *lever

ery s"art indeed, said Bill 'ri"ly$ All they needed !as a 'o-(et!een so"eone

!ho *ould sail out to the island !ith food for the", and other ne*essities and ta+e

a!ay (a*+ to the Boss, !hoever he is, sta*+s of the dud notes$ .ell it !as the 'o-

(et!een that 'ave the sho! a!ay, really$

.hos the 'o-(et!een as+ed ;a*+ interestedly$ Anyone !e +no!

Of *ourse, said Bill$ I should have thou'ht you !ould have 'uessed at on*e ;o-;o$

;o-;o *ried the t!o (oys, and in a <ash they sa! ho! everythin' 5tted in, !here ;o-

;o !as *on*erned$

7es he had a (oat, and he had only to say he !as 'oin' 5shin' in it, in order to 'et

over to the island and (a*+, said %hilip$ He *ould 'o at ni'ht too, if he !anted to$

Those si'nals ;a*+ sa! !ere fro" the "en on the island and it !as ;o-;o up on the

*li2, si'nallin' (a*+, that ni'ht ;a*+ "et hi" there$

7es, it !as, said ;a*+, re"e"(erin'$ And !hen he !ent o2 shoppin' in the *ar hed

ta+e so"e of that *ounterfeit "oney !ith hi", I 'uess, and deliver it to his (osses,

!hoever they !ere$ No !onder he !ould never ta+e us out in the *ar !ith hi", or in

the (oat$ He !as afraid !e "i'ht suspe*t so"ethin'$



6o you re"e"(er those (o#es and *rates do!n in the se*ond *ellar, (ehind that

door he +ept hidden (y piled-up (o#es said %hilip$ .ell, I (et those didnt (elon' to

Aunt %olly$ I (et they !ere ;o-;os stores, !aitin' to (e ta+en a*ross to the island

ne#t ti"e he !ent in his (oat$

His tales a(out the thin's !anderin' on the *li2s at ni'ht !ere only stories tofri'hten us and +eep us fro" 'oin' out at ni'ht, and 5ndin' out anythin' he !as

doin', !ent on %hilip$ Gra*ious, ho! everythin' 5ts in no!, doesnt it

It *ertainly see"s to, said Bill, in an a"used voi*e$ He had (een listenin' to this

*onversation !ith 'reat interest$

.hy did you *o"e to this *oast, to live in that tu"(ledo!n sha*+ as+ed ;a*+

suddenly$ .ere you really a (ird-!at*her

Of *ourse not, said Bill, lau'hin'$ I didnt (ar'ain on "eetin' a real (ird-lover !hen

I told you I !as a (ird-!at*her$ 7ou nearly tripped "e up lots of ti"es$ I had to read

up a !hole lot a(out (irds I !asnt in the least interested in, so that you !ouldnt

suspe*t I didnt +no! "u*h a(out the", ;a*+$ It !as really very a!+!ard for "e$ I

*ouldnt tell you !hat I really !as, of *ourse a "e"(er of the poli*e for*e, detailed

to +eep an eye on ;o-;o and see !hat he !as up to$

Ho! did you +no! ;o-;o !as up to anythin' as+ed %hilip$

.ell, hes pretty !ell +no!n to the poli*e, said Bill$ He has (een "i#ed up in the

*ounterfeitin' of (an+notes (efore, and !e !ondered if he had anythin' to do !ith

this (i'-s*ale printin' that !as 'oin' on so"e!here, !e didnt +no! !here$ .e

thou'ht it 0ust as !ell to !at*h hi", on*e !e +ne! !here he !as$ He has a "i'hty

5ne !ay of disappearin'$ Hes (een !ith your aunt for 5ve years no!, as odd-0o(

"an, and no(ody ever suspe*ted he !as a fello! !ith a very (ad re*ord$ But one of

our "en spotted hi" in to!n one day and found out !here he !or+ed$ Then do!n I

*a"e, this su""er, to +eep a /uiet eye on hi"$

.hat a hornets nest youve stirred up said ;a*+$ Bill did !e help at all

A lot, said Bill, thou'h you didnt +no! it$ 7ou "ade "e *ertain that ;o-;o !as the

'o-(et!een$ 7ou "ade "e sure that it !as the Isle of Gloo" he +ept 'oin' to$ o I

!ent there "yself one day, and e#plored the "ines a little !ay$ That !as !hen I

dropped "y pen*il, I e#pe*t$ But I "ust say I didnt 5nd anythin' that "ade "e

suspe*t there !ere "en in the "ines, doin' their ille'al (an+-note printin' onhidden "a*hines$

But !e found out a(out it, said ;a*+ proudly$ .hat are you 'oin' to do a(out it, Bill

.ell, said Bill, last ni'ht I spo+e over the radio to "y *hiefs$ I told the" I !as pretty

*ertain !hat !as 'oin' on here, and that I !as 'oin' over to the island to res*ue



so"eone fro" the "ines, and !ould they 'et (usy, please, and (e'in to *lear the

"atter up

.hat !ill they do as+ed ;a*+, thrilled$

I shant +no! till I 'et (a*+ and report, said Bill$ .ed (etter 'o no!, I thin+$ .ell

'o (a*+ throu'h the sea-passa'e, the !ay %hilip and I *a"e$

I suppose it !as ;o-;o !ho s"ashed your (oat up, said %hilip$ He "ust have

suspe*ted so"ethin'$ I thin+ he +ne! you !ere our friend$ $

;o-;o is a re"ar+a(ly *lever ras*al, said Bill, 'ettin' up and stret*hin' hi"self$ All

the *leverer (e*ause he pretends to (e stupid$ Co"e alon'$

Bill I !ant to 'et 8i+i, said ;a*+ suddenly$ I *ant leave her here$ The "en !ill +ill her

or shell die of starvation or fri'ht$ Cant !e 'o and 'et her

No, said Bill$ There are "ore i"portant thin's to (e done$

:ets 'et her, Bill, said %hilip, !ho +ne! that 8i+i !as to ;a*+ !hat a do' !as to

other people$ .eve only 'ot to 'et out the "ap, 5nd that "ain passa'e, and then

slip alon' to the *aves there$ ;a*+ !ill +no! !here the *ell is !here 8i+i 'ot lo*+ed

in$ I thin+ it sounds li+e the sa"e one the 'irls and I !ere i"prisoned in$

.ell !ed (etter (e /ui*+ then, said Bill dou(tfully$ And "ind no noise at all$ .e

dont !ant to attra*t attention$

They spread out the "ap, tra*ed out !here they !ere, and !here the "ain passa'e

!as, and set out$ It !as not lon' (efore they !ere !al+in' do!n the !ide passa'e,

silently and *arefully$

Bill heard the *latterin' and (an'in' noise$ The "a*hines !ere at !or+ a'ain$ He

loo+ed 'ri" and listened intently$ 7es that !as a printin'-press all ri'ht$

;ust as they !ere *o"in' to the *ell *ave in !hi*h 8i+i !as i"prisoned, they heard

sounds of voi*es$ They *rou*hed a'ainst the !all, hardly darin' to (reathe$

Thats ;a+e, !hispered %hilip, his "outh *lose a'ainst Bills ear$

There !ere three "en, and they !ere at the door of the *ell !here the parrot !as$

They !ere listenin' in astonish"ent$ A voi*e *a"e fro" the *ell, raised hi'h, andthe !ords *ould (e heard$

6ont sni2, I tell you .heres your hand+er*hief Ho! "any ti"es have I told you

to !ipe your feet %oor old 8i+i, poor, poor old 8i+i %ut the +ettle on

The (oys 'one "ad, said ;a+e, to the other t!o "en$ Evidently they still thou'ht

they had ;a*+ shut up in the *ave$



%op 'oes the !easel announ*ed 8i+i dra"ati*ally, and then "ade a noise li+e a

rail!ay en'ine 'oin' throu'h a tunnel and !histlin'$

Hes o2 his head, said Olly, a"a)ed$

There *a"e a terri5* s*ree*h, and the third "an spo+e suddenly$

Thats a parrot$ Thats !hat that is$ The (oy has 'ot his parrot in there$

Open the door and !ell see, said Olly$

;a+e put the +ey into the lo*+, and the door s!un' in!ards$ 8i+i at on*e <e! out

!ith a s*ree*h that "ade everyone 0u"p$ The "en <ashed their la"p into the *ave

and loo+ed around$

It !as e"pty$ Olly turned 5er*ely on ;a+e$ 7ou fool 7ou put the parrot in there and

let the (oy es*ape$ 7ou deserve to (e shot$

;a+e stared into the e"pty *ave$ It !as true$ Only the parrot had (een there$ .ell,

said ;a+e, I e#pe*t the +id is lost for ever in these "ines no!, and !ill never (e

heard of a'ain$ erve hi" ri'ht$

7oure a fool, ;a+e, said Olly (itterly$ First you let those other *hildren tri*+ you, and

then the (oy$

They left the door open and !ent o2 to!ards the li'hted *ave$ ;a*+ 'ave a 'asp$

8i+i had suddenly <o!n on to his shoulder, and !as "a+in' the "ost a2e*tionate

noises$ he pretended to (ite his ear, she "ade *li*+in' noises "eant to represent

+isses, and alto'ether (ehaved in a "ost e#*ited and deli'hted !ay$ ;a*+ s*rat*hed

her head, and felt 0ust as deli'hted hi"self$

No!, *o"e alon', for heavens sa+e, said Bill, in a lo! voi*e$ They left the passa'e

and !al+ed /ui*+ly a!ay, their tor*hes shinin' (ri'htly$ They had not 'one very far

(efore they distin*tly heard so"eone else *o"in'$

Its so"e(ody fro" the "ain shaft, I should thin+, said ;a*+, in a lo! voi*e$ They put

out their tor*hes and !aited$ The person *a"e nearer, heavy-footed$ His tor*h

shone (ri'htly$ They *ould not see !hat he !as li+e at all$ They tried to slip (a*+

into a little (lind passa'e, (ut ;a*+ stu"(led and fell, "a+in' a noise$ 8i+i

s*ree*hed$

A tor*h da))led the", and a voi*e *a"e sharply out of the dar+ness$ tand !here

you are or Ill shoot

Bill put out a hand to "a+e the (oys stand still$ There !as so"ethin' in that voi*e

that had to (e o(eyed$ The o!ner of it !ould not hesitate to shoot$



The three of the" stood (lin+in' there in the passa'e$ ;a*+ re*o'nised the voi*e,

and so did %hilip$ .ho !as it

And then, in a <ash, they +ne!$ Of *ourse they +ne!$

Its ;o-;o *ried ;a*+$ ;o-;o, !hat are you doin' here

A /uestion I" 'oin' to as+ you, all three of you, said ;o-;o, in a *old, 'ri" voi*e$

The li'ht fro" his tor*h rested full on Bills fa*e$ o youre here too, said ;o-;o$ I

s"ashed your (oat (ut I re*+on you found the old !ay under the sea-(ed, didnt

you 7ou thin+ yourself "i'hty *lever, all of you (ut youve (een 0ust a (it too

*lever$ Theres a nasty ti"e ahead of you a very nasty ti"e$

Chapter =K

T9A%%E6

The li'ht 'lea"ed on a revolver held (y ;o-;o$ Bill felt an'ry !ith hi"self$ If he

hadnt a'reed to 'o (a*+ for that !ret*hed parrot, this !ould never have happened$

;o-;o !as tou'h$ He !as not li+ely to (e fooled as easily as ;a+e had (een$

Turn round, hold your hands a(ove your heads and !al+ in front of "e, ordered ;o-

;o$ Ah theres that parrot$ I o!e it /uite a lot !ell, Ill pay "y de(t no!$

;a*+ +ne! ;o-;o "eant to shoot 8i+i and he 'ave the parrot a (lo! that surprised her

very "u*h$ 8i+i rose hi'h into the air in indi'nation, s*ree*hin', lost in the dar+ness$

8eep a!ay, 8i+i, +eep a!ay yelled ;a*+$

8i+i re"ained lost in the dar+ness$ o"ethin' !arned her that ;a*+ did not !ant her

near hi"$ he sensed dan'er$ he follo!ed the little *o"pany, +eepin' !ell (ehind

;o-;o, <yin' fro" pla*e to pla*e as silently as a (at$

The three of the" !ere soon shut in the no! fa"iliar *ave$ ;o-;o, !ho had shouted

for ;a+e, lo*+ed the door hi"self$ Then the prisoners heard the" 'oin' o2$

.ell, !ere in a pretty pi*+le no!, I" afraid, said Bill$ .hy in the !orld did I a'ree

to 'o (a*+ for that parrot .e "ay all lose our lives (e*ause of that, and these

fello!s "ay es*ape s*ot-free !ith their thousands of false (an+-notes, to spread

the" all over the *ountry$ .e really are up a'ainst it no!$

I" sorry I as+ed you to 'o (a*+ for 8i+i, said ;a*+ hu"(ly$



I" as "u*h to (la"e as you, said Bill, li'htin' a *i'arette$ Golly, its hot do!n

here$

After !hat see"ed to (e an endless ti"e, the door !as opened a'ain, and ;o-;o

*a"e in, !ith ;a+e, Olly and t!o or three "ore "en (ehind hi"$

.e 0ust !ant to say a fond 'ood-(ye to you, said ;o-;o, his (la*+ fa*e 'lea"in' in

the la"p-li'ht$ .eve 5nished up our (usiness here$ 7ou *a"e in at the end, Bill

"u's the *op, too late to do anythin'$ .eve 'ot all the notes !ell ever (e a(le to

use no!$

o youre *learin' out, are you aid Bill /uietly$ "ashin' up the "a*hines to hide

your tra*+s ta+in' a!ay all your stores and your pa*+ets of dud notes$ 7ou !ont

es*ape so easily$ 7our "a*hines, !ill (e found all ri'ht, s"ashed or not, and

yourn(sp$n(sp$n(sp$

Nothin' !ill ever (e found, Bill "u's, said ;o-;o$ Not a thin'$ The !hole of the

poli*e for*e *an *o"e to this island, (ut theyll never 5nd anythin' they *an tra*e

(a*+ to us never

.hy As+ed Bill, una(le to *on*eal his surprise$

Be*ause !ere <oodin' the "ines, said ;o-;o, s"ilin' !i*+edly and sho!in' his

!hite teeth$ 7es, Bill "u's, these "ines !ill soon (e <ooded !ater !ill pour into

every tunnel, every passa'e, every *ave$ It !ill hide our "a*hines, and all tra*es of

our !or+$ I a" afraid it !ill hide you too$

7oure not 'oin' to leave us here, surely, said Bill$ :eave "e, if you li+e (ut ta+e

these (oys up !ith you$

.e dont !ant any of you, said ;o-;o, still in the sa"e horri(ly polite tones$ 7ou

!ould (e in the !ay$

7ou *ouldnt (e as *ruel as that *ried Bill$ .hy, theyre only *hildren$

I have "y orders, said ;o-;o$ He did not see" at all the sa"e stupid, half-*ra)y

fello! that the (oys +ne! (efore he !as a di2erent ;o-;o alto'ether, and not at all a

pleasant one$

Ho! do you propose to <ood the "ines as+ed Bill$

Easily, replied ;o-;o$ .e have "ined part of the passa'e throu'h !hi*h you *a"e

fro" Cra''y-Tops, under the sea-(ed$ .hen !e are safely a(ove 'round, you !ill

hear the "ued roar of a 'reat e#plosion$ The dyna"ite !ill (lo! a hole in the roof

of that under-sea passa'e and the sea !ill pour throu'h$ As you !ill 'uess, it !ill

rush into these "ines, and 5ll the" up to sea-level$ I a" afraid you !ill not 5nd

thin's very pleasant then$



;a*+ tried to stand up to sho! ;o-;o that he !as not afraid, (ut his +nees !ouldnt

hold hi"$ He !as afraid, very "u*h afraid$ And so !as %hilip$ Only Bill +ept a really

(rave front$ He lau'hed$

.ell do your !orst$ 7ou !ont es*ape so easily as you thin+$ &ore is +no!n a(out

you and this 'an' and its (osses than you i"a'ine$

One of the "en said so"ethin' to ;o-;o$ He nodded$ The (oys felt *ertain that the

ti"e !as soon *o"in' !hen the sea-(ed !as due to (e (lasted open and then the

!aters !ould roar do!n and 5nd their !ay into every noo+ and *ranny$

.ell 'ood-(ye, said ;o-;o, 'rinnin' and sho!in' his a"a)in'ly !hite teeth$

ee you soon, replied Bill, in 0ust as polite a tone$ The (oys did not say anythin'$

8i+i, out in the passa'e, 'ave a *a*+lin' lau'h$

I should have li+ed to +ill that (ird (efore I left, "uttered ;o-;o, and !ent out of the

*ave !ith the others$ He sla""ed the door and lo*+ed it$

There !as the sound of retreatin' footsteps and then silen*e$ Bill loo+ed at the

(oys$

Cheer up, he said$ .ere not dead yet$ .ell 'ive those fello!s ti"e to 'et so"e

distan*e a!ay, and then Ill open this door and out !ell 'o$

Open the door Ho! as+ed ;a*+$

Oh, Ive "y little !ay, 'rinned Bill, and pulled out a /ueer *olle*tion of 5les and

spindly +eys$ After a "inute or t!o he set to !or+ on the door, and in a very short

ti"e it !as s!in'in' open$

No! for the shaft, said Bill$ Co"e on, (efore its too late$

They "ade their !ay to the "ain passa'e and then half !al+ed, half ran to!ards

the (i' shaft$ It too+ so"e ti"e to$ 'et there$

;ust as they rea*hed it, and loo+ed up!ards to !here the faintest 'lea" of dayli'ht

sho!ed, there *a"e a *urious sound$

It !as a "ued roar, deep, deep do!n in the "ines$ It e*hoed round and a(out in a

/ueer !ay$

.ell ;o-;o spo+e the truth, said Bill so(erly$ That !as the dyna"ite 'oin' o2$ If it

really has (lo!n a hole in the sea-(ed, the !aters !ill even no! (e rushin' up that

under-sea passa'e to the "ines$

Co"e on, then, said %hilip, ea'er to 'et up into the open air$ Co"e on$ I !ant to 'et

into the sunshine$



I "ust tie "y nu''et round "e so"e!here, said ;a*+, !ho !as still "anfully

*arryin' the heavy pie*e of *opper$ .hy !hats the "atter, Bill

Bill had 'iven a sharp e#*la"ation that startled the (oys$ :oo+ there, said Bill,

shinin' his tor*h on to the 5rst fe! feet of the shaft-hole$ Those "en have 'one up

the shaft and have *arefully ha*+ed a!ay the ladder near the (otto", so that !e*ouldnt *li"( up, even if !e did es*ape fro" the *ave$ They !ere leavin' nothin'

to *han*e$ .ere done$ .e *ant es*ape$ Theres no !ay of *li"(in' up !ithout a

ladder$

In despair the three of the" 'a)ed at the s"ashed-up run's$ 8i+i 'ave a "ournful

s*ree*h that "ade the" 0u"p$

Bill I (elieve !e "i'ht 5nd so"e +ind of a ladder in that (i' open *ave !here the

(o#es and *rates of food !ere, said ;a*+ desperately$ I (elieve I sa! one$ hall !e

'o (a*+ and see I dont e#pe*t the "en have done "ore than s"ash up the

(e'innin' run's of the shaft-hole ladder theyd +no! !e *ouldnt use the ladder

hi'her up if there !as nothin' to *li"( on lo!er do!n$

Are you sure there !as a ladder in that *ave as+ed %hilip$ I dont re"e"(er one$

.ell its our only *han*e, said Bill$ Co"e on (a*+ !e 'o to 5nd it$

But they didnt rea*h the *ave$ They only !ent do!n the "ain passa'e a little !ay

and then they stopped in horror$ o"ethin' !as s!irlin' to!ards the" so"ethin'

(la*+ and stran'e and po!erful$

The !aters are in already, yelled Bill$ Co"e (a*+$ Get to the hi'hest part$ &y !ord,

the !hole sea is e"ptyin' itself into the "ines$

The 'ur'lin' sound of !ater tri*+lin' do!n all the passa'es and into every *ave !as

no! plainly to (e heard$ It !as a 'reedy, su*+in' sound, a sound that fri'htened

even Bill$ The three of the" ran (a*+ to the "ain shaft at on*e$ It !as hi'her than

the rest of the 'round round a(out (ut soon the !ater !ould rea*h there too$

It !ill 5nd its o!n level, any!ay, said Bill$ All these shafts 'o do!n (elo! sea-level,

a lon' !ay (elo! and the "ines !ill *ertainly 5ll up to the level of the sea$ I re*+on

it !ill half-5ll these shaft-holes too$

But, Bill !e shall all (e dro!ned said ;a*+, in a tre"(lin' voi*e$

Can you s!i" as+ed Bill$ 7es of *ourse you (oth *an$ .ell, listen, theres 0ust one

hope for us$ .hen the !ater 5lls up this shaft, !e "ust rise !ith it let it ta+e us up$

.e *an +eep a<oat all ri'ht, I thin+, if !e dont 'et pani*+y$ Then, !hen !e rea*h

the part of the ladder unda"a'ed (y the "en, !e *an *li"( up$ No!, do you thin+

you *an +eep your heads, and, !hen the !ater *o"es, 'o up the shaft-hole !ith it



7es, said the (oys plu*+ily$ ;a*+ turned and loo+ed nervously do!n the passa'e$ He

*ould see the (la*+ !ater in the distan*e, 'lea"in' in the li'ht of Bills tor*h$ It

loo+ed very horri(le, so"eho!$

Thats the end of these "ines, then, Bill, isnt it said %hilip$ No-one !ill ever (e

a(le to *o"e do!n here a'ain$

.ell, they !ere !or+ed out any!ay, said Bill$ ;a*+ !as lu*+y to 5nd a nu''et to

ta+e (a*+ to sho! everyone$ It !as pro(a(ly hidden (y a lon'-a'o "iner !ho for'ot

!here he had hidden it and years and years after!ards ;a*+ found it$

I "ust ta+e it (a*+ !ith "e, said ;a*+$ I si"ply "ust$ But I +no! I *ant hold it and

s!i" too$ Its too heavy$

Bill stripped o2 his 0ersey and his vest$ He !rapped the nu''et in his vest, +notted

it, then tied a thi*+ pie*e of strin' round it$ He put his 0ersey on a'ain and then

hun' the nu''et round his ne*+$

Bit heavy, said he, !ith a 'rin, (ut /uite safe$ 7ou *arry 8i+i, Ill *arry the nu''et$

Than+s a!fully, said ;a*+$ ure it !ont dra' you do!n under the !ater

I hardly thin+ so, said Bill, !ho !as i""ensely stron'$

The !aters *o"in' nearer, said %hilip uneasily$ :oo+

They all loo+ed$ It !as advan*in' near to the little (it of risin' 'round under the

shaft !here they stood$

Isnt it a!fully (la*+ said ;a*+$ I suppose its the dar+ness that "a+es it loo+ so(la*+$ It loo+s si"ply horrid$

It !ill ta+e a (it of ti"e to 'et to our shaft, said Bill$ :ets sit do!n and rest a (it

!hilst !eve a *han*e$

They sat do!n$ %hilips "ouse ran out of his sleeve, and then sat up on its hind le's,

sni3n'$ 8i+i sa! it and 'ave a s/ueal$

.ipe your feet, I tell you she said$

No!, dont you fri'hten .oy, said %hilip$ The three of the" !at*hed the anti*s of

the "ouse !hilst they !aited$ The !ater lapped nearer, su*+in' and 'ur'lin' in the

passa'es$

It "ust (e a(solutely pourin' do!n the hole in the roof of the under-sea passa'e,

said %hilip$ I say, Bill !ill the !ater rush the other !ay too do!n the undersea

passa'e to Cra''y-Tops and "a+e the !ell salt



.ell, yes I suppose it !ill, said Bill, *onsiderin'$ The !ell is (elo! sea-level, of

*ourse so the sea is (ound to pour into it, throu'h the entran*e in the !ell-shaft$

Thats (ad, %hilip$ It !ill "ean that you and your people !ont have !ell-!ater any

"ore I *ant thin+ !hat youll do$

Here *o"es the !ater to our feet no!, said ;a*+, !at*hin' a !ave s!eep up tothe"$ 8i+i, do sit still on "y shoulder$ Tufty, !heres .oy

6o!n "y ne*+ no!, said %hilip$ Ooh, isnt the !ater *old

The "ines !ere hot, so the !ater did feel *old i*y-*old$ %hilip, ;a*+ and Bill stood up

and !at*hed it s!irlin' round their an+les$ It rose 'radually to their +nees$ It rose

a(ove the"$

The three !ere standin' ri'ht under the shaft, !aitin' for the "o"ent to *o"e

!hen the !ater !ould lift the" up, ena(lin' the" to s!i", or tread !ater$

I" fro)en, said %hilip$ I never +ne! su*h *old !ater$

It isnt really *old, said Bill, (ut !e feel so hot do!n here that the !ater stri+es us

as very *old$ It hasnt had ti"e to !ar" up yet$

The !ater rose to their !aists and then "ore rapidly to their shoulders$

God save the 8in' said 8i+i, in a horri5ed tone, loo+in' do!n fro" ;a*+s shoulder

at the restless (la*+ !ater (elo! her$

oon Bill and the (oys !ere lifted o2 their feet, and s!a" !ith di3*ulty on the

surfa*e of the !ater in the shaft$ Theres so little roo", panted 0a*+$ .ere all on

top of one another$

They !ere *ertainly very *ro!ded and it !as tirin' !or+ tryin' to +eep a<oat !hen

there !as really no roo" for s!i""in'$ The !ater rose steadily$ Bill had ta+en

%hilips little tor*h and pla*ed it (et!een his teeth, so that its li'ht shone round on

the shaft-!all$ He !anted to see !hether the ladder !as still s"ashed, far up the

shaft, or !hether the "en had only da"a'ed the lo!er part$

He too+ the tor*h fro" his "outh at last$ .ere all ri'ht, he said$ The ladders not

s"ashed here$ .e have risen so"e !ay up the shaft !ith the !ater, and no! !e

*an 'et on to the ladder$ Ill help you ea*h up$ Go 5rst, ;a*+, !ith 8i+i$ hes 'ettin'

so s*ared$

;a*+ splashed his !ay to the side of the shaft !here the ladder !as$ Bill shone the

tor*h there$ ;a*+ *lun' to the run's and (e'an to haul hi"self up$ Then, !hen he

had *li"(ed a 'ood !ay up, %hilip follo!ed$ :ast of all Bill hauled hi"self up, feelin'

the dra' of the heavy *opper nu''et on his ne*+$ It had (een e#tre"ely di3*ult to

+eep a<oat !ith it, (ut so"eho! he had "ana'ed$



4p they !ent and up and up$ It see"ed a'es (efore they !ere any!here near the

top$ They soon stopped shiverin', and 'ot hot !ith *li"(in'$ Their !et *lothes stu*+

to the" un*o"forta(ly$ 8i+i tal+ed in ;a*+s ear, very sorry for herself$ he did not

li+e this part of the adventure at all$

%hilips "ouse didnt li+e it either$ It had *lun' to %hilips ear durin' his stay in the!ater, !hen the (oys head had (een the only thin' a(ove the surfa*e and no! it

didnt at all approve of su*h !et *lothes$ It *ouldnt see" to 5nd a ni*e, dry, !ar"

pla*e any!here$

.ere al"ost there, ;a*+ shouted do!n at last$ Not far no!$

That !as *heerful ne!s$ They hurried on, feelin' ne! stren'th in their ar"s and

le's no! that they +ne! their lon' and tirin' *li"( !as nearin' an end$

;a*+ *li"(ed out 5rst, 8i+i <yin' o2 his shoulder !ith a 'lad s/ueal$ Then he

stopped in astonish"ent$ A "an !as sittin' /uietly (y the head of the shaft, a

revolver in his hand$

Hands up said the "an, in a stern voi*e$ 6ont dare to !arn anyone follo!in' you$

tand there$ Hands up, I said

Chapter =L

A:: .E:: THAT EN6 .E::

;a*+ stood !ith his hands a(ove his head, his "outh open in horror$ Had they

es*aped only to 'et *au'ht a'ain He did not dare to shout$

%hilip *li"(ed out and !as treated in the sa"e !ay he too !as sho*+ed and

dis"ayed$ The "an !ith the revolver !aited in silen*e, *overin' the (oys !ith his

!eapon, !at*hin' to see !ho !ould *o"e out ne#t$

Bill *li"(ed out, his (a*+ to the "an$ He re*eived the sa"e order$

Hands up 6ont dare to !arn anyone follo!in'$ tand there

Bill s!un' round$ He put his hands up at on*e, (ut no! he put the" do!n and

'rinned$

Its all ri'ht, a", he said$ %ut up your 'un$



a" 'ave an e#*la"ation, and put his revolver into his (elt$ He held out his hand to

Bill$

Its you he said$ I !as left here in *ase any "ore fello!s of the 'an' *a"e up$ I

didnt e#pe*t you to (o( up$

The (oys stared, open-"outhed$ .hat !as all this

6id you 'et a sho*+ said Bill, noti*in' their surprise$ This is a" one of our

dete*tives 'reat friend of "ine$ .ell, a" seein' you here 'ives "e 'reat hopes$

.hats happened

Co"e and see, said a", !ith a 'rin, and he led the !ay$ They all !ent throu'h the

pass in the hills, follo!in' the (urly a"$ They *a"e out on to open 'round, and

"ade their !ay to!ards the *oast$

They *a"e suddenly on a truly interestin' si'ht$ :ined up in a ro!, their fa*es

sullen, !ere all the "en fro" the "ines$ ;o- ;o !as there too, 5er*e an'er in his fa*e$ T!o "en stood near (y, ea*h !ith a revolver$ All !eapons had (een ta+en fro" the

prisoners$

Theres ;o-;o *ried %hilip$ ;o-;o loo+ed at hi" !ith a s*o!l that turned to surprise$

o the (oys and their friend had es*aped I ;o-;o !as i""ensely surprised and

ra*+ed his (rains to thin+ ho! anyone *ould have 'ot out of a lo*+ed *ave in a

<ooded "ine and up a shaft !hose ladder !as *o"pletely s"ashed at the (otto"$

Ho! !ere they *au'ht as+ed ;a*+, in !onder$ 8i+i sa! ;o-;o and <e! round his

head, s*ree*hin' and hootin' and yellin'$ he re*o'nised her old ene"y, and +ne!

he *ould no lon'er har" her$

a" 'rinned at ;a*+s !onder$ .ell, Bill Cunnin'ha" here, he said !ith a nod

to!ards Bill, he "ana'ed to tell us a 'ood (it over the radio last ni'ht, and !e put

t!o and t!o to'ether, and re*+oned !ed (etter 'et 'oin'$ o !e 'ot 'oin' and

*a"e over to this island as fast as !e *ould$ .e found ;o-;os (oat here, and si'ns of

an early departure sta*+s of dud notes in *rates on the (ea*h and all +inds of other

interestin' do*u"ents$

Ho! did you 'et here so /ui*+ly There are no (oats near on this *oast, said %hilip$

.eve 'ot a fe! fast "otor-(oats of our o!n, said a"$ .e too+ t!o of the" and

*a"e alon' here top speed, do!n alon' the *oast$ There they are$

The (oys turned, and sa! t!o (i' and s"art "otor-(oats (o((in' on the !ater near

the *ove, ea*h one in *har'e of a "e*hani*$ Near (y !as ;o-;os o!n (oat$

As soon as !e spotted that the 'an' had !ound up their (usiness and !ere 'oin' to

'o o2 !ith their dud "oney, !e sa! our *han*e, 'rinned a"$ o !e posted a "an

at ea*h of the shaft-holes !e didnt +no! !hi*h one the 'an' used, you see and



then, up one of the" *a"e the !hole of the 'an', one (y one$ And !e 'ot the"

ni*ely$

;ust li+e you 'ot us, said ;a*+$ That !as s"art !or+$ .hat are !e 'oin' to do no!

Bill Cunnin'ha" is head of this sho!, said a", and turned an en/uirin' fa*e to

Bill$ Bill loo+ed at the (oys apolo'eti*ally$

orry I had to 'ive you a !ron' na"e, he said$ But "y o!n na"e is a (it too !ell

+no!n in so"e /uarters to 'ive a!ay !hen I" on a 0o( of this sort$ o I !as 0ust Bill

"u's to you$

7ou al!ays !ill (e, said %hilip$ I shall never thin+ of you as anythin' else, Bill$

9i'ht, said Bill, 'rinnin'$ Bill "u's I a"$ No! !hat a(out 'ettin' these pretty

'entle"en safely into the "otor-(oats

The 'an' of 5er*e-loo+in' "en !ere pushed into the t!o (oats$ ;a+e still !ore his(la*+ pat*h, (ut he 'lared so 5er*ely at 8i+i !ith his one free eye that ;a*+ *alled

the parrot to his shoulder$ If loo+s *ould +ill, 8i+i !ould *ertainly have died under

that 'lare of ;a+es$ The "an !as re"e"(erin' ho! the (ird had (een lo*+ed up

instead of the (oy$ That "ista+e had pro(a(ly led to all this (ad lu*+$

I thin+ !ell sail dear ;o-;os (oat ho"e, said Bill to the (oys$ Co"e on$ :et the

"otor-(oats 'o 5rst and then !ell follo!$ Hi, a" &a+e for that house you +no!

Cra''y-Tops$ Theres a 'ood "oorin'-pla*e there$

9i'ht, said a", and o2 the "otor-(oats !ent, "a+in' a terri5* roarin' noise over

the sea$ Then Bill and the (oys set o2 in ;o-;os (oat, and all three (oats !ent safelyout of the 'ap in the ro*+s and on to the open sea (eyond$

.ell, alls !ell that ends !ell, said Bill, as they put up the sail and set *ourse for

ho"e$ But there !ere a fe! "o"ents !hen I didnt thin+ !e !ere 'oin' to end up

as !ell as !e have done$

The (oys thou'ht so too$ %hilip !ondered ho! the 'irls !ere 'ettin' on$ They !ould

(e !orried (y no!$

I" 0olly hun'ry, said ;a*+$ Its a'es sin*e I had a 'ood "eal really a'es$

It "ust (e, said Bill$ Never "ind soon (e (a*+ no! then you *an tu*+ in to yourhearts *ontent$

The 'irls and Aunt %olly heard the sound of the "otor-(oats lon' (efore they *a"e

to shore$ They !ent out to see !hat !as "a+in' the noise$ They !ere 5lled !ith

astonish"ent to see t!o (i' "otor-(oats pa*+ed !ith "en, and a sailin'-(oat !hi*h

loo+ed li+e ;o-;os, all "a+in' for Cra''y-Tops$



.hatever does it all "ean said Aunt %olly, !ho !as still loo+in' !hite and ill$ Oh

dear "y heart !ill never stand all this e#*ite"ent$

The "otor-(oats nosed to the "oorin' posts in the little har(our$ The 'irls ran do!n,

and !ere a"a)ed to see ;o-;o a"on' the "en$ They stared at the", tryin' to 5nd

the (oys$

Hallo, there *alled a"$ Are you loo+in' for Bill .hats-his-na"e and the (oys

Theyre follo!in' after us in the other (oat$ Have you 'ot a telephone here, (y any

*han*e

7es, !e have, said 6inah$ .hat are all these "en .hy is ;o-;o !ith the"

Tell you everythin' soon, said a", 'ettin' out of the (oat$ I "ust telephone (efore

I do anythin'$ 7ou sho! "e the phone, theres a 'ood 'irl$

a" put throu'h a *all, as+in' for four or 5ve "otor*ars to (e sent to Cra''y-Tops

at on*e, to ta+e a!ay the prisoners$ Aunt %olly, her heart (eatin' fast, listened inthe 'reatest surprise$ .hat *ould all this "ean

he soon understood !hen the sailin'-(oat arrived, and Bill and the (oys *a"e into

the house$ They told her the !hole story, and she san+ (a*+ on the *ou*h in horror

!hen she heard !hat a !i*+ed and dan'erous fello! ;o-;o !as$

As *lever as a (a'ful of "on+eys, said Bill$ But hes not 'ot a!ay !ith it this ti"e

than+s to these four s"art *hildren$

Its funny, said ;a*+$ .e !ent to the island to 5nd a Great Au+ and !e found instead

a !hole 'an' of "en !or+in' at hidden printin'-"a*hines do!n in the "ines$

If Id +no!n you !ere doin' thin's li+e that, Id have sent you all to (ed, said Aunt

%olly severely$ That "ade everyone lau'h$

Oh, nau'hty 'irl, nau'hty 'irl, %olly *ried 8i+i, <yin' to Aunt %ollys shoulder$

The *ars arrived as the (oys and Bill !ere in the "iddle of a "ost enor"ous "eal$

The "en !ere pa*+ed into the" and driven o2 s!iftly$ a" said 'ood-(ye and

departed !ith the"$

Good !or+, Bill he said as he !ent$ And those +ids !ant a pat on the (a*+ too$

They 'ot plenty of pats$ The ne#t day or t!o !ere so e#*itin' that not one of the

*hildren slept properly at ni'ht$

For one thin' they !ere ta+en to the nearest (i' to!n, and had to tell all they +ne!

to t!o or three very sole"n 'entle"en$

Bi' .i's, said Bill "ysteriously$ ery (i' !i's$ ;a*+, have you 'ot the photo'raph of

that pile of tins you sa! on the island ;o-;o denies that he ever too+ supplies there,



and !eve found so"e e"pty tins in the *ellar at Cra''y-Tops !hi*h !e "ay (e a(le

to identify (y "eans of your snap$

o even the little photo'raph of the tins *a"e in useful, and !as a (it of !hat Bill

*alled the eviden*e a'ainst the prisoners$

Another little (it of e#*ite"ent !as ;a*+s nu''et$ The (oy !as disappointed to hear

that it !as not valua(le (ut as a *uriosity, a "e"ory of a 'reat adventure, it !as

thrillin'$

I shall ta+e it (a*+ to s*hool !ith "e and present it to the "useu" !e have there,

said ;a*+$ All the (oys !ill love to see it and handle it and hear ho! I 'ot it$ .ont

they (e envious It isnt every(ody !ho 'ets lost in old *opper-"ines and 5nds a

nu''et hidden a!ay$ The only thin' is I" a!fully disappointed its not valua(le,

(e*ause I did !ant to sell it and share the "oney (et!een us$

7es, said :u*y, that !ould have (een lovely$ Tuftys share of it !ould have paid for

his and 6inahs s*hoolin', so that their "other and aunt *ould have had a rest, and

not had to !or+ so hard$ Its a pity !e *ouldnt have 'ot a lot of "oney for it$

But that didnt "atter a (it, (e*ause, "ost une#pe*tedly, a very lar'e su" *a"e to

the four *hildren fro" another sour*e$ A re!ard had (een o2ered to anyone 'ivin'

infor"ation that !ould lead to the dis*overy of the *ounterfeiters and it !as

naturally presented to the four *hildren, thou'h Bill had his share of it too$

%hilips "other *a"e to Cra''y-Tops !hen she heard all a(out the stran'e and

thrillin' adventure and its une#pe*tedly "arvelous results$ ;a*+ and :u*y-Ann loved

her$ he !as pretty and +ind and "erry, everythin' a "other should (e$

hes 0ust !asted as a (usiness !o"an, I thin+, said ;a*+ to %hilip$ hes a "other,

and she ou'ht to live li+e a "other, and have a ni*e ho"e of her o!n and you and

6inah !ith her$

.ere 'oin' to, said 6inah, her eyes 'lo!in'$ At last !ere 'oin' to$ Theres enou'h

"oney no! for &other to "a+e a ho"e for us herself, and stop her hard !or+$

.eve re*+oned it all out$ And !hat a(out you and :u*y-Ann *o"in' to live !ith us,

Fre*+les 7ou dont !ant to 'o (a*+ to your *rusty old un*le and horrid old

house+eeper, do you

Oh aid :u*y-Ann, her 'reen eyes shinin' li+e stars$ he fell on %hilip and hu''edhi" ti'htly$ 6inah never did that, (ut %hilip found that he li+ed it$ Oh Nothin' *ould

(e ni*er .ed share your "other, and !ed have su*h fun to'ether$ But do you

thin+ your "other !ill have us

Of *ourse, said 6inah$ .e parti*ularly as+ed her that$ he says if shes 'ot to put up

!ith t!o *hildren, she "i'ht as !ell put up !ith four$



And 8i+i too as+ed ;a*+, a sudden dou(t *reepin' into his "ind$

.ell, of *ourse aid 6inah and %hilip to'ether$ It !as unthin+a(le that 8i+i should

not live !ith the" all$

.hats 'oin' to happen to your Aunt %olly and 4n*le ;o*elyn as+ed ;a*+$ I" sorry

for your aunt she ou'htnt to live in this ruined old house, slavin' a!ay, loo+in'

after your un*le, (ein' lonely and "isera(le and ill$ But I suppose your un*le !ill

never leave Cra''y-Tops

.ell, hes 'ot to no! and do you +no! !hy said 6inah$ Its (e*ause the !ell-!ater

is salt$ The sea did 'o into it, enterin' it fro" the old passa'e do!n there so its

undrin+a(le$ It !ould *ost too "u*h to put the !ell ri'ht, so poor old 4n*le had to

*hoose (et!een stayin' at Cra''y-Tops and dyin' of thirst, or leavin' it and 'oin'

so"e!here else$

Everyone lau'hed$ .ell, ;o-;o did so"e 'ood after all !hen he <ooded the "ines,

said %hilip$ It has for*ed 4n*le ;o*elyn to "a+e up his "ind to "ove and Aunt %olly

!ill (e a(le to 'et the little *otta'e she has al!ays !anted, and live there in pea*e,

instead of in this 'reat ruin !ith no ;o-;o to do the rou'h 0o(s$

Oh that horrid ;o-;o said :u*y-Ann, !ith one of her shivers$ Ho! I did hate hi" I"

'lad hes lo*+ed a!ay for years and years$ I shall (e 'ro!n up !hen he *o"es out

of prison, and I shant (e afraid of hi" any "ore$

Bill arrived in his *ar, (rin'in' !ith hi" a *rate of 'in'er-(eer, for no! no-one *ould

drin+ the !ell-!ater$ The *hildren *heered$ It !as ni*e to have 'in'er-(eer for

(rea+fast, dinner and tea$ Bill presented Aunt %olly and %hilips "other !ith a "ost

enor"ous ther"os <as+ full of hot tea$

Oh, Bill said %hilips "other, !ith a little s/ueal that 8i+i pro"ptly i"itated, !hat

an enor"ous <as+ Ive never seen su*h a 'iant$ Than+ you so "u*h$

Bill stayed to supper$ It !as very hilarious, espe*ially !hen %hilips "ouse ran out of

his sleeve on to the ta(le to 6inahs plate$ That upset 6inah and "ade everyone

lau'h$ :u*y-Ann loo+ed round at the lau'hin' *o"pany and felt 'lad$ he !as 'oin'

to live !ith a 'ro!n-up she !ould love, and *hildren she !as fond of$ Everythin'

!as fun$ Everythin' had turned out ri'ht$ .hat a 'ood thin' she and ;a*+ had

es*aped fro" &r$ 9oy all those !ee+s a'o, and run a!ay !ith %hilip to Cra''y-Tops

Its (een a 'rand adventure, said :u*y-Ann out loud$ But I" 'lad its over$

Adventures are too e#*itin' !hen theyre happenin'$

Oh no, said %hilip at on*e$ Thats the (est part of an adventure !hen its

happenin'$ I thin+ its a 'reat pity its all over$



.hat a pity, !hat a pity said 8i+i, havin' the last !ord as usual$ .ipe your feet

and shut the door$ %ut the +ettle on$ God save the 8in'

THE EN6

Documents

Enid Blyton Adventure 1 the Island of Adventure(1)