A dangerous storm strikes the Dawn Treader after a few days of smooth sailing. It continues for a few days, knocking out the mainmast and washing some of the ship’s provisions overboard. After the storm ends, food and water are strictly rationed. Eustace tries to steal some water, but Reepicheep catches him in the act, and the mood onboard is soured. At last, they come into sight of land, but the unknown island is eerily silent. The ship drops anchor, and as the crew starts working on repairs, Eustace slips away to avoid his chores. He finds a spot to lounge in but soon grows lonely and restless. As he tries to find his way back through the fog, he realizes that he has taken the wrong path and is now lost.

The others notice that Eustace is missing and go looking for him, but Eustace, not being in the habit of thinking about others, does not know that they are worried about him. At the bottom of a mountain, he finds a small cave from which a dragon emerges. At first, Eustace is afraid that the beast will see him and attack, but