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CHAPTER
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SUMMARY
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1
On the River
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John, Susan, Roger and Titty help
Jim Brading to tie a rope to the buoy. In return he invites them to sail
aboard Goblin. Mother agrees provided that they stay within the estuary of
the rivers Orwell and Stour, do not pass the Beach End buoy at the mouth of
the rivers, and do not go out to sea. These conditions are imposed because of
the important arrival of their father, who is expected to return by ferry at
any time from Holland. The children agree to these conditions.
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2
In Harbour
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Unfortunately, on the second morning Goblin runs
out of petrol because Jim forgets to fill up before they start the journey.
So, Jim rows ashore to buy some petrol and promises to return in ten
minutes but does not return. The children wait for the whole day until an
unexpected fog drifts over the river, and the Goblin is without her captain.
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3
Drifting out to Sea
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Some hours later,
after hearing the anchor drag in the fog, the children realise that the tide
has risen, the anchor chain is now too short, and they are drifting down the river.
While John tries to put out more chain, John loses the anchor, and the yacht
drifts out beyond Beach End into the North Sea. Aboard the drifting boat,
John decides that it is safer to hoist the sails and go farther out to sea rather
than take the risk of being wrecked in the fog. They plan to return to the
river, but find that sailing against the wind is impossible, so they have to
sail eastward with the wind.
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4
A Stormy Night
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The Goblin sails east through the night in
hazardous conditions, being nearly run down as the navigation lights are out
of paraffin. John has to leave Susan at the helm while he reefs the mainsail.
He is almost swept overboard, but manages to save himself and the rest in the
yacht.
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5
Sinbad and the Pilot
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John persuades Susan
to continue moving to the nearest port rather than trying to return to
Harwich. Along the way, they rescue a kitten floating on a packing-case. They
find themselves approaching an unknown coast - it is the Southern
Netherlands. They see a pilot ship and pick up a Dutch pilot who decides to
help the children and it is free of charge. As they are approaching Flushing,
a ferry is leaving to Harwich. Their father happens to be on that ferry and
sees John and shouts to him in surprise.
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6
Arriving in Holland
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Their father leaves the ferry just in time
and returns to help them sail the Goblin back to Harwich. Susan is
terribly upset about their mother who will be worrying about them, so their
father sends a telegram from Harwich to their mother.
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7
Coming Home
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On arriving in
England, the Goblin and its crew are reunited with their mother and with Jim
Brading, who is looking for his missing yacht. Their mother feels angry
because she thinks that they actually and secretly go to meet their father.
Jim was unconscious and in hospital for two days, suffering from concussion
after being involved in a collision with a bus. Roger keeps telling their
mother that they met Father in Holland. Hence, Father has to tell their
mother about the mishap. Finally, the children hope that their mother will
understand that they didn't mean to go to sea.
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