He soon saw that it was their own boat. He saw where Tom had dragged it down the beach. He could just see the boat rounding the corner of a cliff now.
"That was Tom all right," said Andy to himself. The girls came back at that moment and shouted to Andy.
"What's the matter? Why do you look like that? Where's the boat?"
"Tom's gone off with it," said Andy angrily.
"Tom! Whatever do you mean, Andy?" asked Jill in the greatest surprise.
"I suppose he felt upset about leaving his camera behind and he's gone to get it by himself," said Andy. "He really is a fathead. He may be seen and caught. I'm quite sure someone will be hunting for us soon. Really, I could shake Tom till his teeth rattled!"
The girls stared at Andy in dismay. They did not at all like the idea of their brother going off alone in the boat. Well—they would just have to wait patiently till Tom came back. It should not really take him a very long time. The sun was sinking now. He should be back by the time it was gone. Then they could all start out again and try to make for home.
Jill set the kettle of water down on the beach. She felt tired. Mary sat down beside her and looked out over the water for Tom to come back. Andy walked up and down impatiently. He could understand that Tom longed to get back his camera and put himself right with the others so that they no longer thought him careless and sffly—but he did wish he hadn't gone off in their precious boat!
The three children waited and waited. The sun sank lower. It disappeared over the sky-line and the first stars glimmered in the darkening sky.
And still Tom was not back. The girls could no longer see anything on the sea, which was now dark. They could only sit and listen for the plash of oars.