Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT The second head was still poking out of its strange SEAWEED -Y hiding place. 'Hey!' yelled Julian. 'We won't hurt you. If you want help, we'll give it to you. Come on out, and tell us what you're doing!' 'All right. But if you try to catch me, I'll set my dog on you!' yelled back a defiant voice. 'He's a cross-bred Alsatian and he could eat up your dog in one gulp!'

And then the SEAWEED pile was heaved up and down, and out came a scraggy, wet boy. He pulled the SEAWEED off the dog. The great animal shook itself, and gave one more miserable howl. The Five were almost too astonished to say a word. The boy looked half scared. George spoke first. 'What are you doing on my island?'

'My name's Bobby Loman. I live with my Granpop in Kirrin Village. My mum and dad are dead, and I'm on my own- except for Chippy the monkey here, and Chummy, my Alsatian. I've run away. That's all.' 'No,' said Anne gently. 'That isn't all. Tell us everything, Bobby.' 'Oh, well- it's not much, said Bobby. 'Granpop hates Chippy, because he steals things. And Chummy costs a lot to keep- and- and- you see, he bit someone last week -and Granpop said he was to be put to sleep.' Bobby began to cry, and the Alsatian nestled close to him and licked his cheek. 'He loves me! He's the only person who does.'

George put her arms round Timmy. 'I'm GLAD you came to my island, said George. 'You and Chippy and Chummy can live here as long as you like. We'll bring you food each day, we'll...' 'Hold on, George,' said Julian. 'Don't make promises we can't keep. Let's go back to Kirrin Cottage and tell your mum about this- she'll know what's best to do.' 'Oh- what fun to have another dog and a monkey, as well as Timmy,' said Anne. 'Bobby -how did you come to the island, if you didn't have a boat?' 'Oh- that was easy,' said Bobby. 'I've got one of those blow-up beds. Chippy and I sailed on it, with a spade for an oar- and Chummy swam alongside. It's buried in the sand, so that nobody would see it. But I didn't have any food, so...'

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'So you crept into our outhouse last night and took a bag of dog biscuits for Chummy, and some fruit for Chippy, said Julian. 'What about yourself?' 'Oh- I've been eating the dog biscuits,' said Bobby. 'I took some chocolate too. I'm sorry about the stealing. I was desperate, you know.' 'Come on- let's get back home, said Julian, seeing that Bobby was tired out, cold, wet, and probably very hungry.