What a happy meeting that was! The mastiff led Tom back over the hills,
and in an hour's time he was safe and sound at the cave.

Pansy wept with delight, and Aralia bound up Tom's wrists. He made very
light of the bites, however.

There were many pieces of old black wood in the cave, so Frank collected
them and lit a fire; and when it was quite clear, the rabbit was roasted,
and everybody made a splendid dinner.

Then Tom told them all he had seen; and, after a night's rest, they all
started off the next morning for the lake and the island, taking the
skins and rugs with them. They reached the long ridge of rocks and
crossed over. Then, indeed, were the girls surprised and delighted. What
a lot they would have to tell Father and Mother when they got home again!

Tom sighed. He feared in his own mind that they would never, never see
their home any more.

When Flossie saw the lake she made a spring towards it and dived below
the surface. They could see her darting about beneath, and soon up she
came, looking as pleased as Punch, with a fine, great fish in her mouth.
She laid it gently at Pansy's feet, and dived in again.

"I'll be happy here," she seemed to say, as she brought another fish,
"and we need never be hungry any more."

After Tom had well explored the island, he told Frank they must build a
fort. He had found the very spot for it, too, on a little hill. This was