Soon they were nearing their island, and just as Holly Howe had seemed strange, so now the island seemed home. It was delightful to see it coming nearer, and to think of the tents and the camp, and to see smoke blowing away over the trees and to know that it came from the mate’s fire.
“It must be nearly dinnertime,” said Roger.
“Meat pie,” said John. “Hullo, there’s the able-seaman at the lookout.” Titty was standing under the tall tree on Lookout Point. She waved and disappeared.
“She’s gone to tell Susan we’re coming,” said Roger.
Meanwhile the mate and the able-seaman had had a busy time on the island. They had built a little pier of big stones so that they could walk out on it when they wanted to dip some clean water from the lake. It was also very good for rinsing plates and cups. They had peeled potatoes and had been boiling them for a long time, prodding