Upon returning, Ralph summons everyone to a meeting using the conch. Ralph tells them that there are indeed no adults on the island and they need a plan to look after themselves. Recalling the pig they found in the jungle, Jack says a group of hunters is needed to kill animals for meat. Ralph then decides that a boy can only speak if he has the conch.
Piggy takes the conch and yells that no one knows they are on this island. Ralph says that they could be there a long time before the grownups find them. The boys become silent and scared.
A small boy claims that he saw a snakelike beast or monster the night before. The group becomes nervous and restless. Ralph tries to reassure him that there is no such thing, and that the little boy's vision was only a nightmare.
Ralph says they should make a fire on the mountain to increase the possibility of getting rescued. The boys are excited by the suggestion. They rush off to the mountain, while Piggy thinks it is a stupid idea. Once the wood is gathered, Jack grabs Piggy's glasses to use the lenses to set the wood on fire.
The fire dies down quickly. Piggy complains that they should think things through if they want to be rescued. Ralph suggests they should have a group to care for the fire. Jack volunteers the choir to be responsible for the fire.
Once they rekindle the fire, it begins to burn out of control. Piggy notes they need to be more careful about how they do things. Furious at the group's disorganization, Piggy says the little boy who mentioned the beast was playing over by the fire and now is missing. The boys are struck with shame and then pretend nothing has happened.
