littluns and Piggy. Vividly he imagined Piggy by himself, huddled in a
shelter that was silent except for the sounds of nightmare.
"We can't leave the littluns alone with Piggy. Not all night."The other boys said nothing but stood round, watching him."If we went back we should take hours."Jack cleared his throat and spoke in a queer, tight voice. "We mustn't let
anything happen to Piggy, must we?" Ralph tapped his teeth with the dirty
point of Eric's spear.
"If we go across―"He glanced round him."Someone's got to go across the island and tell Piggy we'll be back after
dark."
Bill spoke, unbelieving."Through the forest by himself? Now?""We can't spare more than one."Simon pushed his way to Ralph's elbow."I'll go if you like. I don't mind, honestly."Before Ralph had time to reply, he smiled quickly, turned and climbed
into the forest.
Ralph looked back at Jack, seeing him, infuriatingly, for the first time."Jack―that time you went the whole way to the castle rock."Jack glowered.