Five on a Treasure Island Read Online Free PDF Page A

fifteen minutes'
    time four children ran down to the beach. By a boat was a brown-faced fisher-boy, about fourteen years old. He had Timothy with him.
    "Boat's all ready, Master George," he said with a grin. "And Tim's ready, too."
    "Thanks," said George, and told the others to get in. Timothy jumped in, too, his big tail wagging nineteen to the dozen. George pushed the boat off into the surf and then jumped in herself. She took the oars.
    She rowed splendidly, and the boat shot along over the blue bay. It was a wonderful afternoon, and the children loved the movement of the boat over the water. Timothy stood at the prow and barked whenever a wave reared its head.
    "He's funny on a wild day," said George, pulling hard. "He barks madly at the big waves, and gets so angry if they splash him. He's an awfully good swimmer."
    "Isn't it nice to have a dog with us?" said Anne, anxious to make up for her mistake. "I do so like him."
    "Woof," said Timothy, in his deep voice and turned round to lick Anne's ear.
    "I'm sure he knew what I said," said Anne in delight.
    "Of course he did," said George. "He understands every single word."
    "I say— we're getting near to your island now," said Julian, in excitement. "It's bigger than I thought. And isn't the castle exciting?"

    They drew near to the island, and the
    children saw that there were sharp rocks all
    round about it. Unless anyone knew exactly the
    way to take, no boat or ship could possibly
    land on the shore of the rocky little island. In
    the very middle of it, on a low hill, rose the
    ruined castle. It had been built of big white
    stones. Broken archways, tumbledown towers,
    ruined walls— that was all that was left of a
    once beautiful castle, proud and strong. Now
    the jackdaws nested in it and the gulls sat on
    the topmost stones.
    "It looks awfully mysterious," said Julian.
    "How I'd love to land there and have a look at
    the castle. Wouldn't it be fun to spend a night
    or two here!"
    George stopped rowing. Her face lighted
    up. "I say!" she said, in delight. "Do you know, I never thought how lovely that would be! To spend a night on my island! To be there all alone, the four of us. To get our own meals, and pretend we really lived there. Wouldn't it be grand?"
    "Yes, rather," said Dick, looking longingly at the island. "Do you think— do you suppose your mother would let us?"
    "I don't know," said George. "She might. You could ask her."
    "Can't we land there this afternoon?" asked Julian.
    "No, not if you want to see the wreck," said George. "We've got to get back for tea today, and it will take all the time to row round to the other side of Kirrin Island and back."
    "Well— I'd like to see the wreck," said Julian, torn between the island and the wreck.
    "Here, let me take the oars for a bit, George. You can't do all the rowing."
    "I can," said George. "But I'd quite enjoy lying back in the boat for a change! Look—
    I'll just take you by this rocky bit— and then you can take the oars till we come to another awkward piece. Honestly, the rocks around this bay are simply dreadful!"
    George and Julian changed places in the boat. Julian rowed well, but not so strongly as George. The boat sped along rocking smoothly. They went right round the island, and saw the castle from the other side. It looked more ruined on the side that faced the sea.
    "The strong winds come from the open sea," explained George. "There's not really much left of it this side, except piles of stones. But there's a good little harbour in a little cove, for those who know how to find it."
    George took the oars after a while, and rowed steadily out a little beyond the island.
    Then she stopped and looked back towards the shore.
    "How do you know when you are over the wreck?" asked Julian, puzzled. "I should never know!"

    "Well, do you see that church tower on the mainland?" asked George. "And do you see the tip of that hill over there? Well, when you get them exactly in line with one another, between