“They’re almost out of sight,” said Nora. “Do you think it’s safe to get up and do a dance or something, Jack? I’m just longing to shout and sing and dance after being shut up in the cave for so long!”
“Yes, we’re safe enough now,” said Jack. “They won’t come back. We can settle into the caves for the winter quite happily.”
“Shall we light a fire on the beach and have a good hot meal?” said Peggy. “I think we could all do with one!”
“Right,” said Jack, and they set to work. Nora sang and danced about as she helped to fetch things. She felt so happy to think that they were safe, and that their secret island was their very own once more.
Soon they were eating as if they had never had a meal in their lives before. Then a loud moo from the hillside reminded them that Daisy was still there. So, leaving the girls to clear up, Jack sped off with Mike to get out Daisy and the hens.
“You’re a good old cow, Daisy,” Jack said to her, rubbing her soft nose. “We hoped you wouldn’t moo when those men were hunting for us - but you knew better, and you mooed at them - and sent them off!”
The days were much shorter now, and night came early. It did not seem long before the sun went and the stars shone out in the sky. The children fetched the lantern from the cave and, taking their book, they went to Willow House. It was Nora’s turn to read, and they all lay and listened to her. It was pleasant in Willow House with the lantern shining down softly, and the smell of the heather and bracken rising up. It was nice to be together and to know that the great hunt was over and they were safe.
“I’m sleepy,” said Jack, at last. “Let’s have some chocolate and a last talk and go to bed. You know, we shall soon have to think seriously of going to live in the caves. It won’t be nice weather much longer!”
“We’ll decide everything to-morrow,” said Mike sleepily, munching his chocolate.
They were soon asleep, for the day’s excitement had quite tired them out. But how lovely it was to wake the next day and know that the hunt was over and that they were safe for the winter. How they sang and joked and teased one another as they went down to bathe!