RUPERT AND THE CORAL ISLAND

Thinks Rupert “This will hold, I hope.” And makes a big loop in the rope.

Rupert tries to remember just what the Merboy told him to do. He manages to untie the steering rope, then he makes a loop in one end and fixes the other to the forestay. “Well, there’s one good thing,” he murmurs, “we don’t look like sinking. I suppose there must be lots of air in those tyres to make the sandboat float so high.” Unknown to him, the Merboy is swimming below the waves. He searches about until he finds a messenger fish.

The Merboy swims below to ask A fish to do a special task.