The girls said nothing. They did not like being left alone on the island—and yet they knew that Andy was right, Somehow he must get home and tell the people there the secrets they had discovered. The raft would not really take four—and the girls were not strong enough to stand days and nights of tossing about on the sea.
"Well, Andy, it's very important that you should get back and tell the secret of these islands," said Jill at last. "So, for the sake of our country, Mary and I will stay behind here without any fuss and do the best we can, whilst you and Tom set off for home. But do rescue us as soon as possible!"
"Of course we shall," said Andy, glad to see that the girls were going to be brave and not male any fuss. "You are good sports, you two girls—I really do feel proud of you both—don't you, Tom?"
"Very proud," said Tom. And the girls went red with pleasure.
"We'll wish you luck to-morrow!" said Jill. "Oh, how I hope you'll soon get back home, Andy! Mary and I will watch every day till you come back."
They all went to bed early that night, for to-morrow was to be an important day! They did not sleep very well, for they were too excited.
And in the morning, early, they took down their tent, dragged off the heather that covered the raft, and tied ropes to it, to pull it down to the beach.
"Now we're off on another adventure!" said Andy, dragging the raft. "Heave-ho! Heave-ho! Down to the sea we go!"