It contained mostly clippings from magazines
inwhich his drawings had appeared. A year before World War II he sailed out of
England, with a partner,for the West Indies. Continually I found myself picturing
what would happen if wewere capsized.
By theslimmest chance we three had escaped becoming
a part of that scene ofannihilation! Oh well, I suppose that most of us in the South
Seas acquire similarcharacteristics.
Pratt exclaimed, for the first time showing me a
fervent sideto his character.
It seemedimpossible for a vessel to live in that
confusion of foaming seas.
Aft of the winch is stowed a seaworthy
dinghy.
How you seduce mento your haunted shores, but only
to destroy them! A second tot eased my nerves sufficiently tomake this journal
entry. He grinned rather alarmingly and stretched out his hand. He didnt seem to
mind being alone at sea.
If wedont crowd sail well never finish them today!
The wind has been in the east-northeast today and seems to have
settledthere.
You knew theywould grip anything firmly, without a
tremor, and would move with uncannyprecision. It reminded me of the Clashing Rocks
of theOdyssey. How you seduce mento your haunted shores, but only to destroy them!
It was nearly dark when we made the dashacross. I then told them of the light we had
seen over Tou Islet. There was no possibility ofsailing or steaming in this wind.
Insteadof, Have you heard about Singapore?
Yes, Pratt agreed, and break out a dozen c-c-cans
of beer.
The heron opened one of the bottles of
rum.
When he returned to the clearing he told us that
one ofher anchor chains had parted!
We had a good breakfast, then we left the clearing
to walk toward the lagoonbeach. I helped him down from the beaconand we returned to
the clearing. The tree-house creaks andshakes with every blast of wind.
Oh well, I suppose that most of us in the South
Seas acquire similarcharacteristics.