A Rat's Nose: Chapter 5: What to do?

Cheddarnose’s lungs feel like they are about to burst. He has to let go of the topaz! He does, and rushes to the surface. He takes a deep breath, and dives down again, unfortunately not noticing the large wave sweeping down upon him. The topaz is swept away as he reaches for it, and he is swept away, too. He closes his eyes. When he opens them again, he is on a completely unknown shore, buried halfway in a sandbank. He claws his way out, spots the topaz a few feet away, and grabs it. Cheddarnose wonders where he is. He wonders if it is a safe place to be, and most of all he wonders how he will ever find his way back home again. He sits a while, staring at the sky. It must be around noon by now. He looks at the topaz. Then he looks back to the sea. In the distance, no more than a speck on the horizon, is his island. If only he were a stronger swimmer. That night, Cheddarnose plucks a leaf from a tree and wraps himself in it. What will he do?