Returning to Wild Cat Island for their second summer holiday by the Lake, the Swallows find the Amazons and Captain Flint suffering from "native trouble".

Great Aunt Maria has come to stay and she is a stickler for "proper" behaviour, demanding that the Amazon pirates act like "young ladies" who are on hand and on time for meals.

An alternative to camping on Wild Cat Island presents itself when Roger and Titty find a beautiful hidden valley, Swallowdale, up on the moors above the lake.

Eventually the Great Aunt leaves and the Swallows and Amazons mount an expedition to sleep under the stars on the summit of nearby commanding hill "Kanchenjunga" (in reality The Old Man of Coniston).

Next morning, Roger and Titty return to Swallowdale, following trails through the bracken across the moor, while John and Susan ferry the Amazons' camping gear by boat.

Titty turns up later, after hitching a ride with some woodsmen and explains that Roger sprained his ankle and will be spending the night with Young Billy, the (old) charcoal burner.