Enid Blyton : The Adventurous Four Again (Chapter I,II and III)

CHAPTER 1
Back with Andy Again

THREE very excited children bumped along a rough country lane in a farmer's cart. The Scottish carter sat in front, saving nothing, but listening with a little smile to the children's happy voices.
"We shall see Andy again soon! We haven't seen him since our exciting adventures last summer!" said Tom, a red-haired boy of twelve.
"It was bad luck getting measles in the Christmas hols, so that we couldn't come up here and stay in our little cottage," said Jill. She and her sister Mary were twins, and were very like each other. They each had long golden plaits and blue eyes, and were younger than Tom.
Tom spoke to the carter. "Jock! Did you hear about our adventures last year?" he asked.
Jock nodded his head. He hardly ever said a word.
The children, with their friend Andy, had indeed had some thrilling adventures. They had gone out in Andy's father's fishing-boat one day, and had been caught by a storm. They had been swept miles out of their course on to a lonely island--and had found a nest of enemy submarines in the waters there, hiding to pounce on any ships that came within their reach.
"And poor Andy lost his father's boat," said Jill, remembering how afraid Andy had been of what his father might say about the lost boat.
"But it didn't matter--because Andy was given a much, much better boat!" said Mary. "And it was called Andy--do you remember, it had his name painted on it? Wasn't Andy pleased?"
The fisher-boy had been more than pleased. He had been filled with the greatest delight. The new fishing boat was a magnificent one, with a lovely red sail. Andy's father had been overjoyed too, for a fishing-boat meant his livelihood to him. Catching fish and selling them was his work and Andy's--and now they had one of the finest boats on the coast.
The farm-cart jolted along, and soon the children came in sight of the sea. The coast there was rocky and dangerous, but the sea was a lovely blue, and the children shouted in joy to see it.
"The sea! There it is! And look--there are the fishing-boats out on it!"
"I bet I can see Andy's," shouted Tom. "Look--that one with the bright red sail! Isn't that Andy's, Jock?"
Jock nodded, and the three children fixed their eyes on. the red-sailed boat. Andy's boat! Andy was out there on the restless sea--and soon they would go out with him. What fun they would have!
Their mother was already waiting for them in the cottage she had bought in the fishing village. She had gone there two days ahead of the children to get things ready for them, when they broke up from school. It was the Easter holiday, and everywhere the trees were leafing, the hedges were greening, and the banks were starred with primroses, violets and celandines.
"A whole month's holiday by the sea--with Andy and bis boat!" said Tom. "I simply can't think of anything lovelier. I don't expect we'll have any adventures this time--but that won't matter."
"We had enough last summer to last us for years," said Jill. "I was frightened sometimes--but it all ended happily."
"Except for those hidden enemy submarines!" said Tom. "They didn't have a very happy ending! Look--there's Mother!"
Sure enough, it was their mother, standing at the next comer, waving. The children tumbled out of the cart and flung themselves on her.
"Mother! It's lovely to see you. Is everything all right?"
"Is the cottage ready? Have you seen Andy?"
"I'm awfully hungry. Mother. Is there anything nice to eat?" That was Tom. of course. He was always hungry. His mother laughed.
"Welcome back to our little village, children! Yes, there's plenty to eat, Tom. And yes, I've seen Andy. He was sorry he couldn't meet you, but there's a good shoal of fish in, and he had to go out to help his father in the boat."
"Does the boat go well?" asked Tom eagerly. "It was marvellous last summer. I've often thought of Andy whilst we were at school, and envied him. There lie was, sailing out in all weathers, having a wonderful time--and I was writing Latin exercises at school, and being ticked off because I threw a rubber at someone."
"Oh Tom--don't tell me your report is a bad one!" said his mother, as they all walked down a slope to the little fishing village below. Jock came behind carrying large trunks as easily as if they were empty boxes!
"When will Andy be back?" asked Jill. "Has he changed. Mother? Is he still the same old Andy?"
"Of course," said her mother. "He's grown a bit taller--and a bit broader--but he's almost fifteen now, yotf know. You're nearly thirteen, Tom! You've grown too. So have the girls. You'll see Andy later in the evening, when the fishing-boats come back. He promised to come straight up and see you."
"We'll go down to the shore and wait for his boat to come in, said Tom. "After we've had something to eat, I mean. What is there, Mother?"
"Ham, eggs, three kinds of scones, two kinds of jam. and a fish-pie," said his mother. "Will that do for you?"
"I should think so," said Tom, who felt as if he could eat the whole lot at once. "Golly, it's good to be back again. Mother--and to think of all the sailing we'll have!"
"Well--don't find enemy submarines this time," said his mother, as she swung open a little white gate that led through a tiny garden to the cottage. "I really couldn't bear it if you got lost on a lonely island again.
They all ran up the path to the wooden door. It stood open. A bright fire burned in the living-room, and the table was set with so many dishes of food that Tom gave a whoop of delight.
"Golly! Must I wash my hands? Can't we begin now?"
"No. Wash first," said his mother firmly. "You all look like sweeps. Would you like boiled eggs to begin with, or fish-pie?"
"Both!" shouted Tom, and ran to wash in the little sink that was the only place where water ran from a tap.
They all made an enormous meal. "I can see I shall have my work cut out to satisfy your appetites these holidays! " said their mother. "No--you needn't help to clear away and wash up, twins. I've got Mis. Maclntyre coming in to help. You can put on your jerseys and shorts ana go down to meet Andy. I expect the boats will be putting in soon, if they've made a good catch."
The children hurriedly pulled off their school-clothes, and scrambled to find their jerseys and shorts. The weather was fine and sunny, almost like summer. If only it would stay like that all the holidays!
They raced down to the shore. Fine, soft sand lay between the rocks that jutted up all over the beach. A little stone jetty ran a short distance into the water. To this jetty the fishing-boats came with their hauls.
Andy's boat was clearly to be seen, a good way out But now they were all coming in--the Sea-Gull, the Mary-Arm, the Jessie, the Andy, the Starfish and the rest. The breeze filled the sails, and they billowed put prettily.
"It's a fine sight, a fishing-fleet coming home!" said Tom, running up the jetty and down, so excited that he couldn't stand still. "I wish I had a boat of my own! Hi, Andy, Andy! Come in first, show iw what your boat can dor
Almost as if Andy had heard, the red-sailed boat surged forward in front of the others. The wind swept down on her, and she glided along like a red-winged bird on the water.
"There's Andy! There's his father too!" shouted Jill. "Andy, we're here! Have you made a good catch?"
"Ahoy there!" came Andy's voice. "Ahoy!"
Then the beautiful boat came deftly to the stone jetty, and Andy leapt off. He and Tom shook hands, both grinning widely in delight. The twins flung themselves on the fisher-boy and hugged him, squealing in delight.
"Andy, you've grown! Andy, you're browner than ever! Oh, Andy, we're all back again, isn't it lovely?"
"Grand," said Andy, as pleased as they were. He repeated the word and rolled the r in it even more. "Gr-r-r-r-rand!"
Then his father jumped out to make the boat fast. He smiled at the three children, and shook hands gravely with them all. He never had much to say, and the children knew he was strict with Andy, and made him work bard. But they liked him and trusted him. "You'll help with the fish, Andy," he said, and the boy turned at once to bring in the great catch they had made. The children helped too.
"I do think the beginning bit of a holiday is lovely," gaid Mary. "I think I like it best of all."
"Yes. The middle and end parts slip away so quickly," said Jill. "But you sort of feel the beginning bit will last for ever!"
"Can we go sailing with you soon?" asked Tom. "This evening, Andy?"
"No--not to-day," said Andy, knowing that his father would not let his boat out again. "To-morrow perhaps, if we're allowed. Dad may not want the boat to-morrow. We've had such a good catch to-day."
"Is it nice to see your own name painted on your boat?" said Mary. "A-N-D-Y--doesn't it look lovely?"
"It's your boat as well," said Andy. "I always told you you could share it when you were here. It ought to be called the Andy-Tom-Jill-and-Mary!"
All the other boats came in. The children greeted the fishermen. They knew them all, and they knew the fine little fishing-boats that bobbed gently up and down beside the jetty. But they felt that Andy's boat--their own boat--was the very best of all!
"It's getting dark," said Tom, with a sigh. "We'd better go home. We promised Mother we'd be in before dark--and golly, I do feel tired. We've had a jolly long journey to-day, and we'll feel better to-morrow. I just feel now I want one thing--to fall into bed and sleep!"
"What--don't you want any supper! said Jill. "You must be tired, Tom!"
Andy laughed. He was happy to see the twins again and to have his friend Tom. Four whole weeks together! They would have some fun.
"See you to-morrow," said Andy, as the three said goodbye and turned away from the shore. "I'll be along."
Back they went to the cottage, all feeling suddenly tired. They could hardly eat any supper--and then they undressed quickly, washed, and fell into their beds, half-asleep before their heads touched the pillow.
"To-morrow--lots of tomorrows!" said Jill, but Mary didn't answer. She was asleep and dreaming of all the exciting to-morrows.


CHAPTER 2
Off on a Sailing Trip

THE next few days were lovely. Andy took them sailing in his boat, which he insisted belonged to them all--a quarter each.
"I'll have the red sail for my quarter," said Jill. "I do love it so! Andy, can't we go out with the rest of the boats, when they go fishing?"
"Oh yes," said Andy, and out they went the next time the little fleet went out. Andy taught the children how to let down the nets. They watched with excitement the jumping, slithering, silvery fish, caught in the meshes of the great net.
The fisher-boy taught them how to set lobster-pots, too, in the right places. They took home enough fish and lobsters, scallops and crabs to keep them in food for a week!
The sun shone. They grew brown. They climbed the rocky cliffs all about, and had a wonderful time. Then Tom grew restless and wanted to go off on a longer trip.
"Let's go somewhere exciting," he said. "Can't we take the Andy and go on a trip somewhere? Don't you know anywhere thrilling, Andy, you could take us to?"
"Well," said Andy, "I promised your mother I wouldn't take vou right out to sea any more, to visit any of our islands--in case a storm came up, like last year, and wrecked us. So it would have to be somewhere along the coast."
"Do think of somewhere," begged the twins. "Somewhere that nobody goes to."
"There's the Cliff of Birds," said Andy suddenly. The others stared at him.
"The Cliff of Birds," said Jill. "What a funny name!"
"It's a good name." said Andy. "There are thousands of birds there--I couldn't tell you how many--all lands! Gulls, shags, cormorants, puffins--they nest there and all round and about--on the cliffs, in the cliffs, over the cliffs--everywhere. They say you can't walk a step this season of the year without treading on a nesting-bird. They're a sight to see."
All the three children were fond of birds. Their eyes shone.
"Let's go there!" said Tom. "What a sight it would be! I'll take my camera. We're having a snap-shot competition at my school next term, and I could enter some bird pictures for it."
"Yes, do let's go," said Jill. "It sounds exciting. I wonder you never told us about the Cliff of Birds before, Andy!"
"Well, last time you were here, it was full summer," said Andy. "The birds have left their nesting-places on the cliffs by then, and are out on the open sea. There's not much to see. But at nesting-time it's different. They're all there."
"Well, we'll go," said Tom. "How far is it? Can we get there and back in a day?"
"We'll have to," said Jill. "Mother won't let us go off for a night, I'm sure!"
"If we start early in the morning we'd be back before dark," said Andy. "It's a long way--and it's a lonely part of the coast too. We'll have to be careful, because there are rocks all about. But there's a passage between them that my father knows. I'll get him to tell me. I've been twice with him."
"When shall we go?" asked Jill, beginning to feel excited. "To-morrow?"
"No. I'm wanted on the boat with my father," said Andy. "But maybe the next day. You'll have to do without me to-morrow. You get out your book on birds and read it well, then you'll know the birds on the cliff when you see them."
So, all the next day, the children pored over their books on birds, looking up each sea-bird, studying it, and learning its name. Tom got out his camera and put a new roll of films into it. They told their mother where they were going.
"It certainly sounds exciting," she said. "I hope Andy knows the way down the coast well. It's rather dangerous round here."
"Oh, Mother, Andy could sail a boat anywhere!" said Tom. "He's been twice before, anyway. Won't it be exciting to go somewhere that nobody ever goes to?"
"The Cliff of Birds," said Mary. "Thousands of them, Mother. You'll see them if Tom gets some good snaps. I suppose we shall climb the cliff."
"I'd better have a word with Andy about that," said her mother, and she did. But Andy assured her that he wouldn't let anyone do anything they couldn't do safely and easily.
Two days later the children awoke with a jump, as the alarm clock went off. It had been set for dawn--how early it was! Tom slipped into the girls' room to make sure they were awake, and not going off to sleep again.
"The sky's just turning silvery in the east," he said. "Hurry up. We've got to be at the jetty in a few minutes. I bet Andy's already there."
Their mother appeared in her dressing-gown, looking sleepy. "I thought I would just see you off," she said. "Now, you do promise to be careful, don't you? Andy's got lifebelts on board, hasn't he?"
"Oh, Mother, you know we can all swim like fish!" said Jill.
"Yes--in calm or slightly rough water," said her mother. "But if you fell overboard in stormy waters you'd find things much more difficult You've packed the food on board, haven't you?"
"Oh yes," said Tom, who could always be trusted to look after the food side. "We put it on board yesterday evening--everything you gave us, Mother. It will last us nicely for a day."
"It would last most families for a week!" said" Ms mother. "Now--are you ready? Take woollen coats with you, because it isn't summer, you know. Tom, where's your mack?"
Soon they were off. The sky was much lighter now. The children could see golden fingers coming up from the east. The sun was just below the rim of the world there. They raced down to the jetty, feeling the wind quite cold on their faces and their bare legs.
Andy was there, of course, waiting for them patiently. He grinned when he saw their excited faces. "Get on board," he said. "Everything's ready. I'll cast off."
The children tumbled on board the fishing-boat they loved. It was roomy, but not too big for them to handle. It had a small, cosy cabin below. AU three children were good at helping Andy now, and could be trusted with anything.
The boat slid away from the jetty. The breeze bfllowed out the red sail. Then, quite suddenly it seemed, the sun appeared above the sky-line, a dazzling rounded edge, and at once the water flashed with golden lines and twinkled brilliantly as the boat plunged forward.
"The sun's rising," said Jill, and caught her breath at the sudden beauty of it all. "The world's all new again. Look at the sun--it seems to be climbing out of the sea itself!"
Soon the children could no longer look at the sun, it was so big and bright. The boat went slipping along in waves that seemed made of golden light and blue shadows. It was worth coming out so early just to see the enchanting beauty of the rising sun.
"Heaps of people have never seen the sun rise," said Jill, as she leaned over the side of the boat to look at the gold-flecked waves. "Hardly any of the girls at my school have. They've missed something! I think there ought to be a law that says everyone must watch a sunrise, and everyone must see a bluebell wood, and a buttercup field, and . . ."
"Look out for the sail!" yelled Andy, as the big red sail swung across. Jill ducked, and forgot what she was saying. Andy was at the tiller, looking browner than ever. His dark hair blew straight upright in the wind, and his eyes shone as blue as the sea.
"I say," began Tom, "isn't i'f about time to . . ."
Everyone interrupted him. "To . . . have something to eat!" they all chanted, knowing Tom's ways very well indeed.
"I wasn't going to say that," said Tom, aggrieved. "I was going to say--oughtn't we to keep closer to the shore now? We're heading right out to sea."
"Got to," said Andy, keeping a firm hold on the tiller, as the boat swept into a strong current "There are rocks farther in. Can't risk them in this boat. We must keep out a fair bit, then, when I see the spot my father told me of, Til swing inland a bit."
Andy had a rough chart with him. He pushed it across to Tom. holding on to it till the boy had it safely, because of the rushing wind.
"Look at that," he said. "Those dots are rocks. See how the sea nearer in is peppered with them. Sly rocks they are--just below the surface. They'll scratch a hole in the bottom of a boat in the twinkling of an eye. It takes us longer to go out to sea, and then turn in, but it's safer. We've got to look out for three tall pine-trees on a cliff, before we turn in. They're marked on the map."
Everyone studied the map with interest. What a long way down the coast the Oiff of Birds wast No wonder Andy said they must start early.
"What time shall we be there?" said Mary.
"We should be there about eleven, with luck," said Andy. "Maybe before. We'll have our dinner then. We'll be hungry!
Tom looked really alarmed. "What! Are we to wait till then? We'll be starved!"
"Oh, we'll have breakfast first," said Andy. "Well have It at seven, or half-past Maybe a few biscuits now would be nice. What do you say, girls?"
Everyone thought it was a very good idea. "Biscuits and chocolate!" said Jill. "They go so well together. I'll get them."
She disappeared into the little cabin below, and came back again with four rations of biscuits and chocolate. Everyone was soon munching, Andy still at the tiller. He said he was not going to let anyone else steer the boat that day, it was too dangerous!
The sun was much higher in the sky now. It was wanner, though the strong sea-breeze was cold. Everyone was glad of woollen jerseys, cardigans and macks on top.
"Now--here's where we head inland," said Andy suddenly. "See those three pine-trees on the cliff, far away over there?"
"You've got eyes like a hawk, Andy," said Tom, screwing his up to try to see the pine-trees on the distant coast. He could just make them out. But neither of the girls could see them clearly.
Andy swung the boat round a little. The sail flapped hard. The boat now ran even more quickly, and the children felt thrilled with the speed, and the up-and-down swing of the fine little boat.
"Breakfast-time!" said Andy. "We're doing very well--we deserve a jolly good breakfast!"
"We do!" said Tom, and scurried to get the food.

CHAPTER 3
The Cliff of Birds

BREAKFAST was a very welcome meal. There were hard-boiled eggs, scones and butter and a tin of peaches. Jill heated some milk down in the little cabin and made cocoa, which they all enjoyed.
Now the boat was heading shore-wards, and the rocky cliffs could be clearly seen. It was about eight o'clock. The sun was higher in the sky, and its warmth was very welcome.
"My word--what a lonely, desolate coast!" said Tom, watching it as the boat sped along. "And look at those wicked rocks, Andy, nearer the shore."
"Yes--there are some out here too, so we've got to keep a look-out," said Andy. "The worst are marked on that chart. I know them all. In about an hour's time we have to slip between an opening in a rocky ridge well come to, and skim along in a kind of channel between two rows of rocks. We're all right if we get into the channel. It's like a sea pathway, and so long as we keep in the middle of it, we're all right."
At about nine o'clock the children saw ahead of them a very turbulent stretch of water. The waves frothed and surged and sent spray high into the air.
"Look out!" said Tom, pointing ahead. "There must be rocks there."
"Yes--just about here is the opening I told you of," said Andy. "We've got to slip through it as soon as we come to it. I think it lies beyond that big surge of water."
He cleverly skirted the bubbling, frothing patch, where the waves were torn into shreds on rocks that hardly showed above the surface. Then the children gave a shout
"Here's the entrance--look--a nice, calm little bit!"
Andy steered the boat deftly through the little passage, the opening through the outer ridge of rocks. The boat careered along, its sails full of wind, and slid into a channel between the outer and inner rows of rocks. Fairly calm water ran there.
"There are horrid rocks on each side of us," said Jill. "But here we're safe! How far does this queer calm channel go, Andy?"
"It flows to Smuggler's Rock," said Andy, "but we swing landwards before we get there, to the Cliff of Birds."
"Smuggler's Rock! What an exciting name!" said Tom, and he looked at the map. "Oh yes--your father's put it in--at least, I suppose this dot, with S.R. beside it, means Smuggler's Rock?"
"That's right." said Andy. "We've a good way to go still. My, aren't these lonely waters? We haven't sighted a ship on the sea or seen a soul on land since we left our village behind!"
"It's a wild bit of the coast," said Tom. "I wonder why Smuggler's Rock was given that name, Andy? Were there smugglers there in the old days?"
"I don't know," said Andy. "I've only seen the Rock from the distance. It's like a small steep island made entirely of rock. Nothing grows there, I should think--except seaweed round the foot. Maybe there are caves there that smugglers hid things in. I don't know anything about it Nobody goes there now--and maybe they never did! Maybe it's just a name."
"It's half-past ten," said Tom, after a time. "Shall we soon be there, Andy--at the Cliff of Birds?"
"Why, are you getting hungry again?" asked Andy, with a grin.
"Well--I am," said Tom, "but I wasn't thinking of that I was thinking of the time, and how long we'd have there. We'll have to allow a good many hours for getting back."
"We'll have a couple of hours at the Cliffs and no more," said Andy. "But it will be enough. You'll be able to climb up the cliff and explore it a bit, and have some dinner, and maybe take some photographs. Then we'll have to go back."
"Is that Smuggler's Rock, look, right over there!" suddenly shouted Jill, pointing westwards. The others looked, and saw a small, rocky island rising above the waves a fair distance away. Almost at the same moment Andy swung the boat to the left, and headed for the shore.
"Yes--that's Smuggler's Rock," he said. "And did you notice that the channel we were in went on towards it? But I've swung away now, because we're coming to the Cliff of Birds. See the birds on the water now, and flying above it!"
As they sailed nearer to the Cliff of Birds the children shouted in amazement at the amount of birds to be seen everywhere. Gulls called, and the sound of their laughing voices, which Jill said reminded her of the mewing of cats, echoed all round them. Birds bobbed up and down on the water, skimmed the waves, soared high and low In the air.
"Now, when we round this rocky point, you'll see we come into a kind of shallow bay, and the cliffs behind are the ones I've brought you to see," said Andy. "They are covered with the kind of little narrow ledges that sea-birds love for their nests. They must have used the cliff for hundreds of years."
The Andy rounded the point, and then swept into a shallow bay. The children gazed at the towering cliffs behind, too astonished to speak.
There were birds there by the thousand! They lined every ledge, they called from every point. They launched themselves from the steep cliffs into the air, and soared and glided on the currents of air. crying and calling at the tops of their wild voices.
The sight of the red-sailed ship startled them. A hundred or so flew up from the cliffs, and their flight startled hundreds more, so that the rushing of wings sounded like a mighty wind. Tom gave a cry.
"What's that falling down the cliff--look, it's like a rain of white drops rumbling down!"
"Eggs!" said Andy. "These sea-birds lay their eggs on the bare ledges of rock, you know--and they are jolly careless with them. When they fly off suddenly they often make their precious eggs roll off--then down they fall and smash on the rocks below."
"What a waste," said Jill. "I wish we hadn't frightened them. But what a sight, Andy! I've never, never, to all my life seen or heard so many birds together before!" "Andy, look--there's a river rushing out at the bottom of the cliff," said Tom, excited. "Is it a river? It seems to be coming out of a cave! Right out of the depths of the cliff."
"Yes, it's a river." said Andy, bringing the boat in gently. "It must flow right through the cliff. And look-do you see that waterfall splashing half-way down the cliff? That comes out of a hole somewhere up there. I suppose it couldn't find a way to seep down through the rock, so it has forced itself out up there, and made a waterfall."
"It's a very exciting place," said Jill. "I wish the birds wouldn't make quite so much noise, though. I can hardly hear myself speak!"
"Where are we going to put the boat?" asked Mary. "There's no jetty--and no sand to drag her on to. What shall we do?"
"I'll guide her into the deep pool under that overhanging cliff." said Andy. "And let down the anchor. She'll be all right there. We can jump across to the rocks nearby."
"Let's have dinner first," said Jill.
"Well--only just a snack now," said Tom. to everyone's surprise. "I'm longing to explore that bird-cliff. It's marvellous, really marvellous. We don't want to waste too much time eating. If we had a snack now, we could make a good meal on the way back."
"Right," said Andy. So they hurriedly made some sandwiches of bread and butter and potted meat. They ate them, had a drink, and then, with the Andy lying quietly at anchor, looked to see which rock would be the best to jump to.
"There's a rock just under water here," said Jill, peering over the side of the boat. "We'll tread on that, and then we can easily get to that big rock there, and so to the rocky ledge at the bottom of the cliff."
They took off their shoes and tied them round their necks. Then they made their way across the rocks to the foot of the cliff. Not far off the river that came out of a cavern in the cliff surged into the sea, frothing and seething where its current met the waves of the sea. The waters there boiled and surged and made a great noise. Altogether it was a very deafening place, for the sea-birds never once stopped their loud clamouring and calling.
"I'll find the easiest path up the cliff," said Andy, who was as good as a goat on hill or cliff. "You follow me carefully. It's a steep cliff, but not dangerous to anyone like us that's used to climbing about. Look out for any slippery bit. You go last, Tom, in case one of the girls should slip."
With the clamour of the buds round them, and a ceaseless swish of wings, the four children began their steep climb. There were plenty of good footholds and handholds, but their parents would certainly not have liked to watch them going slowly upwards, higher and higher. Soon they looked like specks against the towering cliffs.
They had their rubber shoes on again now, and Tom carried his camera slung over his shoulder. Soon they came to the nesting-places, high up beyond the reach of any stormy waves. The frightened, angry birds flew off their eggs. There were no nests at all. Jill was grieved to see yet more eggs roll into the sea.
"Some of them don't fall off," she called. "They just roll round and round. Look what a funny shape they are--awfully pointed at one end."
"Eggs shaped like that don't roll away so easily," said Andy. "They are meant to roll round and round in exactly the same spot."
Soon they came to a narrow ledge that seemed almost like a pathway round the cliff-side. It was about halfway up. Jill suddenly gave a cry.
"Andy! I've just looked down! And oh, I don't like it a bit! I might fall, it makes me giddy."
"Don't be silly," said Andy, who didn't mind heights at all. "You've never minded before. Follow me, and I'll take you round the cliff a bit, where there's a wider place you can rest in. You're tired!"
Trembling, poor Jill followed Andy closely, not daring to look down at the far-away sea again. Neither Tom nor Mary minded a bit. They thought it was funny of Jill to feel afraid.
The ledge was a favourite nesting-place for the birds, and the children had to be careful not to tread on the eggs. Jill was glad when the rocky pathway widened out, and became a fine resting-place. At the back of this resting-place was a shallow cave. The children crawled into it, and lay there, panting, warm with their climb.
"I'll just go out and see if I can take a few snaps," said Tom, at last. But just as he was about to go, he stopped. He heard a noise that sounded most peculiar in that deserted, sea-bird-haunted place--the sound of somebody whistling a well-known tune! How very strange!

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