One evening Jack brought something unusual to the camp-fire on the little beach. Mike stared at what he was carrying.
Youve caught some rabbits! he said, and youve skinned them, too, and got them ready for cooking!
Oh, Jack! said Nora. Must you catch those dear little rabbits? I do love them so much, and it is such fun to watch them playing about round us in the evenings.
I know, said Jack, but we must have meat to eat sometimes, Now, dont worry, Nora - they did not suffer any pain and you know you have often eaten rabbit-pie at home.
All the same, none of the children enjoyed cooking the rabbits, though they couldnt help being glad of a change of food. They were getting a little tired of fish. Nora said she felt as if she couldnt look a rabbit in the face that evening!
In Australia, rabbits are as much of a pest as rats are here, said
Jack, who seemed to know all sorts of things. If we were in Australia we would think we had done a good deed to get rid of a few pests.
But were not in Australia, said Peggy. Nobody said any more, and the meal was finished in silence. The girls washed up as usual, and the boys went to get some water from the spring ready to boil in the morning. Then they all had a dip in the lake.
I think Ill have a shot at getting my cow along to-night, said Jack, as they dressed themselves again.
You cant, Jack! cried Nora. Youd never get a cow here!
Ill come with you, Jack, said Mike. Youll want someone to help you.
Right! said Jack. Well start off as soon as its dark.
Oh, Jack! said the girls, excited to think of a cow coming. Where shall we keep it?
It had better live on the other side of the island, said Jack. "There is some nice grass there. It wont like to eat heather.
How will you bring it, Jack? asked Mike. It will be difficult to get it into the boat, wont it?
We shant get it into the boat, silly! said Jack, laughing. We shall make it swim behind the boat!
The other three stared at Jack in surprise. Then they began to laugh. It was funny to think of a cow swimming behind the boat to their secret island!
When it was dark, the two boys set off. The girls called good-bye, and then went to Willow House, for the evening was not quite so warm as usual. They lighted a candle and talked. It was fun to be on the secret island alone.
The boys rowed down the lake and came to the place where Jack usually landed - a well-hidden spot by the lake-side, where trees came right down to the water. They dragged the boat in and then made their way through the wood. After some time they came to the fields that lay round the house of Jacks grandfather. Jack looked at the old cottage. There was no light in it. No one was there. His grandfather had gone away. In the field nearby some cows and horses stood, and the boys could hear one of the horses saying, Hrrrumph! Hrrrrumph!
Do you see that shed over there, Mike? said Jack, in a low voice. Well, there are some lengths of rope there. Go and get them whilst I try to find which is my own cow. The rope is in the corner, just by the door.
Mike stumbled off over the dark field to the tumbledown shed in the corner. Jack went among the cows, making a curious chirrupy noise. A big brown and white cow left the others and went lumbering towards Jack.
Jack cautiously struck a match and looked at it. It was Daisy, the cow he had brought up from a calf. He rubbed its soft nose, and called to Mike:
Hurry up with that rope! Ive got the cow.
Mike had been feeling about in the shed for rope and had found a great coil of it. He stumbled over the field to Jack.
Good, said Jack, making a halter for the patient animal. Now, before we go, Id like to pop into the old cottage and see if I can find anything wed be glad of.
Could you find some towels, do you think? asked Mike. I do hate having to dry myself with old sacks.
Yes, Ill see if there are any left, said Jack, and he set off quietly towards the old cottage. He found the door locked, but easily got in at a window. He struck a match and looked round. There were only two rooms in the cottage, a living-room and a bedroom. All the furniture had gone. Jack looked behind the kitchen door, and found what he had hoped to see - a big roller-towel still hanging there. It was very dirty, but could easily be washed. He looked behind the bedroom door - yes, there was a roller-towel there, too! Good! His grandfather hadnt thought of looking behind the doors and taking those when he went. Jack wondered if the old carpet left on the floor was worth taking, too, but he thought not. Good clean heather made a better carpet!
Jack wandered out to the little shed at the back of the cottage - and there he did indeed make a find! There was an old wooden box there, and in it had been put all the clothes he possessed! His grandfather had not thought it worth while to take those with him. There they were, rather ragged, it is true, but still, they were clothes! There were three shirts, a few vests, an odd pair of trousers, an overcoat, a pair of old shoes, and a ragged blanket!