“Take the hammer,” said John.
“We ought to have the compass too, and a chart with skeletons on it, and pictures of trees.”
“You can have the compass, if you take care of it.”
“Well, don’t be too long, anyhow,” said the mate. “You’ll see where we go with Captain Flint, and when you’re tired of the island, you can come. We’ll take your fishing rods.”
They walked down with their stores to the harbour. John took the mast and sail out of Swallow . Everybody wished them good luck, and the able-seaman and the boy set off, Titty poling the Swallow out of the harbour.
“Don’t stay there too long,” Mate Susan called after them.
“Far better come whaling,” called Captain Nancy.
There was too much in Titty’s head to let her think of an answer.
As soon as they were clear of the island, Able-seaman Titty gave one of the oars to Roger. They sat side by side on the middle thwart.
“You keep time with me, Boy,” said the able-seaman.
“All right.”
Titty lifted her oar from the water. Roger gave one pull.
“Boy,” said the able-seaman, “you mustn’t say ‘All right.’ ”
“Aye, aye, sir,” said the boy.
“We are going to land on a desert island, to look for pirate treasure—the treasure the pirates took from Captain Flint. There may be land crabs, or