The island consisted of a beach, rocky on the one side, sandy on the other, enclosing a stretch of grass and heather. A tiny hill rose by a deserted shepherd's hut, and a miniature burn trickled down to the sea. The place had once been used as a grazing ground for a few sheep, but of late years had been entirely uninhabited.
'Now look, Allan,' said Reggie, as they stood by the bit of dyke which protected the windy side of the cottage.
'Wh-e-ew,' said Allan; 'you have made a jolly place of it!'
'Rebuilt the cottage, which had been falling to ruins,' said Reggie. 'That was mostly Neil's doing, and Hamish and I helped. Filled up the holes in the thatch with fresh heather. We all worked at that part of it. Then you see we've made a bit of a garden and thrown up the turf for a dyke on the side where the stone one was broken down. The shells on the path were brought up from the beach of this very island. Isn't it jolly?'
'Awfully fine,' said Allan. 'Have you given the place a name yet?'
'Why,' said Marjorie, 'it's our Pirates' Den, and we mean to have all kinds of fun in it all through the summer. The boat is called the Pirates' Craft now, and we are going to have no end of fine doings, particularly if Neil has time to join us.'
Allan shoved his cap to the back of his head, and looked about him again with brightening eyes.
'Awfully jolly,' was all that he could say. 'Neil, you are a fellow for hitting upon good ideas.'
'Now come along and see the inside,' said Reggie, leading the way.
'This fine strong door was made by Neil,' said Marjorie; 'a fine time we had getting it over in the boat. We haven't got glass for the windows yet, and I don't suppose we ever shall; but it doesn't matter. What do you think of our kitchen?'