Peter was but little wiser than before when he reached the summit. The higher ground farther inland prevented any extensive outlook in that direction; but beyond the projecting bluffs that bounded the bay the lake was visible on either side. The land upon which they had been cast was either a wide peninsula or else an island. Anxious to settle the question, Peter made his way towards the highest peak, which was about three-quarters of a mile away. It was easy going, for, with the exception of a few clumps of trees and patches of thorns, the ground was bare and sunbaked. For the most part it consisted of lava-like rock mingled with veins of granite, but here and there were patches of hard mud intersected by fissures of considerable depth. The only signs of animal life that Peter saw were a few vividly-coloured lizards and an animal strongly resembling a hare; and although he kept a sharp lookout for snakes basking in the now powerful rays of the sun, none appeared, much to his satisfaction. When Peter returned to the beach, he found his uncle busily engaged in making tea. A fire was blazing strongly, and from a tripod composed of the oars and boat-hook a "billy" hung over the flames. "It's a jolly good thing we've still got the boat, Uncle," said his nephew. "I've been to the highest ground about here and we're on an island." "Just our luck," rejoined Uncle Brian. "The boat's got a hole in her as big as my head. But we can discuss that later. Breakfast first." Without the shadow of a doubt, Uncle Brian had risen to the occasion. The biscuits were little the worse for their immersion and, when flavoured with tinned pilchards and bottled tomato soup, were eaten with gusto. The tea, having been stored in an airtight case, was in splendid condition, although Peter deplored the fact that there was no sugar available, and that the condensed milk was of the unsweetened brand. The meal over, the two men settled down to serious business. An examination of the boat confirmed Uncle Brian's statement. Right amidships was a fairly clean hole about fifteen inches in diameter. A blanket had, by some means, got underneath the bottom boards and had become wedged in the hole, with the result that when the two men had attempted to drag the boat clear of the water, the fabric prevented a free outlet. Now that the obstruction was removed, it was a comparatively simple matter to drag the damaged craft well up on the beach. "That's one advantage of not having a keel," said Uncle Brian. "We can patch the hole from the outside." "We can," replied Peter, "but----" "But what?" "Now that there is a gap amidships why not use it to take the propeller?" suggested Peter. "It would make the old coffin a jolly sight more seaworthy with that weight transferred from over the stern to the 'midship section." Brian Strong regarded his nephew suspiciously. He was wondering whether Peter was wandering in his mind, or trying to "pull his leg".