"Couldn't let you do it on your own."
Ralph said nothing. He led the way over the rocks. Side-by-side they scaled the last height to where the diminishing pile was crowned by the last broken rock. A hundred feet below them was the narrow causeway, then the stony ground, then the grass dotted with heads and behind that the forest. Jack made a sweeping movement with his hand. Ralph looked towards the mountain.
"What's the matter?" asked Ralph.
"We'll have to go back and climb the mountain. That's where they saw the beast." "The beast won't be there."
"What else can we do?
The others, waiting in the grass, saw Jack and Ralph unharmed. They forgot the beast in the excitement of exploration. They swarmed across the ledge and soon were climbing and shouting. A knot of boys making a great noise was heaving and pushing at a rock. As they turned, the base cracked and the whole mass toppled into the sea so that a thunderous plume of spray leapt half way up the cliff.
"Stop it! stop it!" Ralph's voice struck a silence among them. He shook his head. "We will go to the mountain. Jack. The beast might be on the other side. You can lead again. You have been. We could go by the shore, there is fruit".
But Jack did not agree. He wanted to stay at the same place and build a fort.
Question 1: Why does Ralph lead the way over the rocks instead of letting Jack do it alone?
Answer: Ralph doesn't want Jack to undertake the journey alone, so he leads the way over the rocks alongside him.
Question 2: What do Ralph and Jack see from the last height they scale, and how does it influence their decision?
Answer: From the last height, Ralph and Jack see the narrow causeway, stony ground, grass, heads, and the forest below. It prompts Jack to suggest going back to climb the mountain because that's where the beast was seen.
Question 3: What is Ralph's response when Jack suggests going back to climb the mountain?
Answer: Ralph expresses disbelief that the beast would still be on the mountain but acknowledges the lack of alternatives, indicating a willingness to go along with Jack's plan.
Question 4: How do the other boys react when they see Jack and Ralph unharmed?
Answer: The other boys forget about the beast and become excited about exploration. They swarm across the ledge, climb, and shout, getting caught up in the moment.
Question 5: What event occurs when a group of boys tries to move a rock, and how does Ralph respond?
Answer: As the boys push and heave at the rock, it cracks at the base and topples into the sea, creating a thunderous plume of spray. Ralph commands them to stop and tries to regain control of the situation.
Question 6: Why does Ralph suggest going to the mountain, and how does Jack respond?
Answer: Ralph suggests going to the mountain because the beast might be on the other side. However, Jack disagrees and expresses a desire to stay in the same place and build a fort.