Swallows and Amazons

The point of view shifts to Jim Turner, who is trying to clean up his houseboat after the burglars have opened all the lockers and cupboards and strewn the contents about. He is sick over the loss of his manuscript, Mixed Moss, and feels that he can never write it again. A piece of paper flies through the window, and Jim looks out to see Nancy.

She orders him to read the Black Spot. Alongside a large black spot is a letter exonerating John from setting off the firecracker, telling him that John only wanted to deliver the warning from the charcoal burners, and admitting to setting off the firecracker herself. She closes by “deposing” him from being an uncle “or anything decent” (267).

Jim is remorseful over calling John a liar and telling the police that he was a suspect. He jumps in his rowboat and heads for Wild Cat Island to apologize to John.

The other children finish putting together the Blackett girls’ tent as Nancy rows back to the island with her uncle in pursuit. He asks to come ashore and says that he wants to apologize to John.