title: Time before the boat: A collection of letters about island life
author:  Alta Ashley 
description: " Closing exercises" dousing fires, fixing drains, disposing of garbage have been completed and now there is time before the boat for me to bring you news agina from Monehegan.
zlib_text: ![](Images/image00178.jpeg)
  
  **The Secret**  
   **Island**
  
    
    
    
    
  
   **Enid Blyton**
  
    
    
  
   _ **Cover and illustrations by**_  
   _ **E. H. Davie**_
  
    
    
    
  
  > First published in Great Britain 1938 by Methuen & Co. Ltd
  
  > Copyright © Enid Blyton Limited 1938
  
  > ![](Images/image00133.jpeg) is a registered trademark of Enid Blyton Limited
  
  ![](Images/image00176.jpeg)
  
  >  **Contents**
  
  > [ 1\. THE BEGINNING OF THE
  > ADVENTURES](Text/Secret_Island_Chapter_001.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_1)
  
  > [2\. AN EXCITING DAY](Text/Secret_Island_Chapter_002.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_2)
  
  > [3\. THE ESCAPE](Text/Secret_Island_Chapter_003.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_3)
  
  > [4\. THE FIRST NIGHT ON THE
  > ISLAND](Text/Secret_Island_Chapter_004.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_4)
  
  > [5\. THE BUILDING OF THE
  > HOUSE](Text/Secret_Island_Chapter_005.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_5)
  
  > [6\. WILLOW HOUSE IS
  > FINISHED](Text/Secret_Island_Chapter_006.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_6)
  
  > [7\. THE COW COMES TO THE
  > ISLAND](Text/Secret_Island_Chapter_007.xhtml#sigil_toc_i