The Amazons were waiting on the beach. They seemed altogether friendly. Peggy Blackett pulled Swallow up, and Nancy Blackett did the same for Amazon . But Captain John was taking no risks.
“Captain Nancy,” he said, “which ship is flagship?”
Captain Nancy did not hesitate. “ Swallow is. And earned it. But do buck up. No one knows we’re here. We’re supposed to be in bed. And we must get home in time to get up for breakfast when we’re called.”
“You’ll never do it,” said Captain John.
“Yes we will. The wind’s getting stronger every minute, and the sun’s only just rising. But do be quick. Let’s help to carry the things. There’s an awful lot to say.”
Titty climbed out over Amazon ’s bows, and Captain Nancy shook her by the hand and slapped her on the back. “By thunder, Able-seaman,” said she, “I wish you were in my crew. This morning when I saw that you’d done us all by yourself, I could have swallowed the anchor. You did just exactly what we had planned to do.”
Susan was unloading the blankets and things from Swallow . Roger had run off to the camp. Everybody else took something to carry. Roger came running back.
“They’ve got a grand fire,” he said, “and the kettle’s boiling over.”
“Who’s for tea?” said Mate Susan.
“Well, there’s hardly time,” said Peggy.
“Come on, quick,” said Nancy. “There’s lots that’s got to be said, and we can slop the tea down while we’re saying it.”