Swallows and Amazons

The wind drops as the children wait near the entrance to the Amazon River for the sun to set. They row the boat along the shore toward the river until the wind picks up again. They hoist a brown sail to go undetected and head toward the boathouse where the Amazon is stored. However, instead of the rival sailboat, they find an envelope with the words “Ha! Ha!” The children know that the Blacketts have hidden their boat, and they go in search of it.

Soon, they hear the Blackett girls talking and see the Amazon. Nancy crows over having, as she thinks, fooled the Swallows.

Titty decides to write in a log, as Robinson Crusoe did. She describes Mother’s visit. After sunset, she lights the first lantern and hauls it up the tree. Then, she waits for the signal from the others that will tell her to light the second lantern. She falls asleep and is awakened by the signal, an owl call. After lighting the second lantern, she sees a real owl and hears the Blackett girls talking from their boat in the harbor. Titty hides as the girls beach the boat and proceed to the Walkers’ tents.

When Titty hears the girls shouting at the other end of the island, she realizes that the Swallows can still take the Amazon.