Jack grinned. He would take all these back with him. They might be useful when the cold weather came. He thought the best way to take them back would be to wear them all - so the boy put on all the vests, the shirts, the trousers, the shoes, and the overcoat over his own clothes, and wrapped the blanket round him, too! What a queer sight he looked!
Then he went out to the garden and filled his many pockets with beans and peas and new potatoes. After that he thought it was time to go back to Mike and the cow. Mike would be tired of holding
the animal by now!
So, carrying the two dirty towels, Jack made his way slowly over the field to Mike.
I thought you were never coming! said Mike, half-cross. Whatever happened to you? This cow is getting tired of standing here with me.
I found a lot of my clothes, said Jack, and an old blanket and two towels. The cow will soon get some exercise! Come on! You carry the towels and this blanket, and Ill take Daisy.
They went back over the fields and through the thick wood to the boat. The cow did not like it when they came to the wood. She could not see where they were going and she disliked being pulled through the close-set trees. She began to moo.
Oh, dont do that! said Jack, scared. You will give us away, Daisy.
Moo-oo-oo! said Daisy sorrowfully, trying her hardest to stand still. But Jack and Mike pulled her on.
It was hard work getting her down to the boat. It took the boys at least two hours before they were by the lake, panting and hot. Daisy had mooed dozens of times, each time more loudly than before, and Jack was beginning to think that his idea of taking her across to the island was not such a good one after all. Suppose her mooing gave them away, and people came after them? Suppose she mooed a great deal on the island? Whatever would they do?
Still, they had at last got her to the boat. Jack persuaded the poor, frightened cow to step into the water. She gave such a moo that she startled even the two boys. But at last she was in the water. The boys got into the boat, and pushed off. Jack had tied the cows rope to the stern of the boat. The boys bent to their oars, and poor Daisy found that she was being pulled off her feet into deeper water!
It was a dreadful adventure for a cow who had never been out of her field before, except to be milked in a nearby shed! She waggled her long legs about, and began to swim in a queer sort of way, holding her big head high out of the water. She was too frightened to moo.
Jack lighted the lantern and fixed it to the front of the boat. It was very dark and he wanted to see where he was going. Then off they rowed up the lake towards the secret island, and Daisy the cow came after them, not able to help herself.
Well, my idea is working, said Jack after a bit.
"Yes, said Mike, but Im jolly glad its only one cow were taking, not a whole herd!
They said no more till they came in sight of the island, which loomed up near by, black and solid. The girls had heard the splashing of the oars, and had come down to the beach with a candle.
Have you got the cow, Jack? they called.
Yes, shouted back the boys. Shes come along behind beautifully. But she doesnt like it, poor creature!
They pulled the boat up the beach and then dragged out the shivering, frightened cow. Jack spoke to her kindly and she pressed against him in wonder and fear. He was the one thing she knew, and she wanted to be close to him. Jack told Mike to get a sack and help him to rub the cow down, for she was cold and wet.
Where shall we put her for to-night? asked Mike.
In the hen-yard, said Jack. Shes used to hens and hens are used to her. There is a lot of bracken and heather there and we can put some more armfuls in for her to lie on. She will soon be warm and comfortable. She will like to hear the clucking of the hens, too.
So Daisy was pushed into the hen-yard, and there she lay down on the warm heather, comforted by the sound of the disturbed hens.
The girls were so excited at seeing the cow. They asked the boys over and over again all about their adventure till Mike and Jack were tired of telling it.
Jack! You do look awfully fat to-night! said Nora suddenly, swinging the lantern so that its light fell on Jack. The others looked at him in surprise. Yes, he did look enormous!
Have you swollen up, or something? asked Peggy anxiously. Jack laughed loudly.
No! he said, I found some clothes of mine in a box and brought them along. As the easiest way to carry them was to wear them, I put them on. Thats why I look so fat!
It took him a long time to take all the clothes off, because they were all laughing so much. Peggy looked at the holes in them and was glad she had brought her work-basket along. She could mend them nicely! The blanket, too, would be useful on a cold night.
Whats that funny light in the sky over there?" said Nora, suddenly, pointing towards the east. Look!
You silly! Its the dawn coming! said Jack. It must be nearly daylight! Come on, we really must go to sleep. What a night weve had!