"We'll go to the end of the island", said Ralph, "and look around the corner, if it is an island."
Now, towards the end of the afternoon, the mirages were settling a little. They found this end of the island quite distinct and the beach was nearer the mountain than any other they had seen. They felt an unknown pleasure over there.
They started climbing the mountain there, and after great hardships, they reached the top of the mountain. From the top of the mountain, they could see that it was really an island surrounded by a circular horizon of water.
Ralph turned to the others and said assertively, "This belongs to us".
It was roughly boat-shaped; on either side, rocks, cliffs, tree tops and a steep slope. The boys surveyed all this, then looked out to sea.
"There is no village smoke and no boats", said Ralph wisely. "We will make sure later but I think it's uninhabited."
"We will get food," cried Jack." Hunt" "catch things until they fetch us".
They scrambled down a rock slope, dropped among flowers and made their way under the trees. They were in the beginning of the thick forest, plonking with weary feet on a track.
They saw a wild lamb 1 caught in a curtain of creepers. Jack raised his knife to stab the pig but it freed itself before he could do it. Jack gave meaningless justifications to cover his inability to stab the wild lamb but the fact was clear to all that he was unaccustomed to such situation. They started for their platform to call a meeting.
Question 1: What is Ralph's plan regarding exploring the island?
Answer: Ralph plans to go to the end of the island to see if it is indeed an island.
Question 2: How do the boys feel when they reach the end of the island?
Answer: The boys feel an unknown pleasure when they reach the end of the island.
Question 3: Describe the boys' journey to the top of the mountain?
Answer: The boys started climbing the mountain, facing great hardships, and eventually reached the top.
Question 4: What conclusion do the boys come to after reaching the top of the mountain?
Answer: After reaching the top of the mountain, the boys conclude that the land indeed belongs to them as it is an island surrounded by water.
Question 5: How does Ralph assess the island's inhabitance?
Answer: Ralph observes that there is no village smoke or boats, leading him to believe that the island is uninhabited.
Question 6: Describe the encounter the boys have in the forest?
Answer: While in the thick forest, the boys see a wild lamb caught in creepers. Jack attempts to stab it but fails, revealing his lack of experience in such situations. They then head back to their platform to call a meeting.