There were sounds coming from behind the Castle Rock.
"Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!"
A noise near at hand made him quiver. Savages were climbing up the Castle Rock, right up to the top, and he could hear voices.Ralph put his head down on his forearms and accepted this new fact like a wound. Samneric were part of the tribe now. They were guarding the Castle Rock against him. There was no chance of rescuing them and building up an outlaw tribe at the other end of the island. Samneric were savages like the rest; Piggy was dead and the conch smashed to powder. Ralph edged forward, feeling his way over the uneven surface as though he were blind. He crawled until he found the ledge of the entry in his grasp. The lookouts were immediately above him and he could see the end of a spear projecting over the rock. He called very gently. "Samneric - "
There was no reply. To carry he must speak louder; and this would rouse those striped and inimical creatures from their feasting by the fire. He set his teeth and started to climb until nearly level with the twins before he spoke again.
"Samneric--- it's me. Ralph."
At length, they bent forward and peered in his face.
"We thought it was-we didn't know what it was-"
Memory of their new and shameful loyalty came to them. Eric was silent but Sam tried to do his duty.
Question 1: What disturbing sounds does Ralph hear coming from behind the Castle Rock, and what realization does he come to about Samneric?
Answer: Ralph hears chants from the savages, urging to kill the beast. He realizes that Samneric are now part of the tribe and are guarding the Castle Rock against him.
Question 2: How does Ralph react to the news of Samneric's allegiance to the tribe, and what does he understand about his chances of rescuing them?
Answer: Ralph accepts this new fact like a wound and acknowledges that there is no chance of rescuing Samneric or building an outlaw tribe. He feels defeated and helpless.
Question 3: Describe Ralph's approach to the Castle Rock and his attempt to communicate with Samneric?
Answer: Ralph edges forward cautiously, feeling his way over the uneven surface as though blind. He crawls until he finds the entry ledge and then climbs up until nearly level with the twins before gently calling out to them.
Question 4: How do Samneric initially respond to Ralph's presence, and what memory comes to them?
Answer: Initially, there is no reply from Samneric. However, eventually, they bend forward and peer at Ralph's face. The memory of their new and shameful loyalty to the tribe comes to them.
Question 5: What challenges does Ralph face in trying to communicate with Samneric, and how does he attempt to overcome them?
Answer: Ralph faces the challenge of speaking louder, which might alert the hostile tribe. He sets his teeth and climbs closer to the twins, trying to speak louder while minimizing the risk of being detected by the savages.
Question 6: How does each of the twins react differently to Ralph's presence, and what does this reveal about their allegiance?
Answer: Eric remains silent, while Sam tries to do his duty by acknowledging Ralph's identity. This reveals their internal conflict between their loyalty to Ralph and their fear of the tribe's consequences.
