“The main thing,” said Captain John, “is that Amazon is our prize. Now we’ll sail over with the whole fleet. We’ll make a landing in the face of the enemy and retake the island. Or we’ll call upon them to surrender, and if they won’t we’ll keep the sea for days and days until they starve. But they’ll have to give in. Hullo, what are they doing?”
Susan, Titty, and John stared at Wild Cat Island. Roger woke up again and stared too.
A large blanket, flapping heavily in the wind, was being slowly hoisted up the lighthouse tree. They could see the Amazons holding the ropes below it. It was a big, stout blanket and, though the wind was fresh, it could not blow it out square, but kept it flapping in slow, disheartened flaps.
“It’s one of our blankets,” said Susan.
“It’s a white flag,” said Titty. “They’re surrendering.”
“It isn’t very white,” said Roger sleepily.
“It’s meant to be,” said Titty. “I know it’s a white flag.”
“We’ll soon find out,” said Captain John. “I say, Mister Mate, will you sail the prize or shall I?”
“You’d better,” said Susan, “because of the centreboard.”
“Right,” said the captain. “Roger stays with you in Swallow . Titty sails in Amazon . Look out, Titty, I’m coming aboard.”
He climbed from one boat into the other.
“Hang on to Swallow ’s painter while I get sail on Amazon ,” he said.
“Aye, aye, sir,” said Titty.