فصل 37

CHAPTER 37

A BIG PUFF

CHEEKY O’NEAL WORKED THE OARS, keeping the lifeboat steady as it rode a wave onto Mollusk Island. As the wave broke and surged onto the moonlit beach, McPherson, DeWulf, and Kelly jumped out and heaved, skidding the lifeboat up onto the sand. With O’Neal’s help they quickly hauled the boat into the jungle and covered it with palm fronds. DeWulf returned to the beach and swept the sand smooth, eliminating any trace of their arrival.

They were thirsty, hungry, and tired, but O’Neal would not let them rest. He grabbed some low-hanging bananas from a tree at the edge of the jungle and tossed a few to each man.

“We’ll eat on the move,” he said.

He plunged straight into the thick, nearly pitch-black jungle, hoping to run across a path. The going was difficult; they had to fight for each step through the dense tangle of branches, leaves, and vines. Finally, after an exhausting hour, they reached a moonlit footpath. DeWulf sprawled on the ground, panting.

“Get up,” growled O’Neal.

“I need a rest,” said DeWulf.

“There’s no time,” said O’Neal.

“Why not?” McPherson said defiantly, as he and Kelly dropped to the path next to DeWulf. O’Neal glared down at the three mutinous men.

“I’ll tell you why not,” he growled. “The ship was expecting the signal yesterday at sunset, and we weren’t here to give it. They’ll think we’re captured or dead. Maybe they’ll turn transom and leave us here. Or maybe they’ll come looking for the starstuff themselves. Either way, it’s trouble. If they leave, we’re stuck here, and sooner or later the natives will find us, and this time they’ll kill us for sure. Or if the ship sends men for the starstuff, not knowing the island, they’ll be spotted, and there will be a fight. And I for one would not want to fight these natives on their island.”

O’Neal stepped forward, leaning over the three.

“So those are the choices,” he said. “We keep moving and send the signal. Or we die.”

Grumbling, the three men rose to their feet.

“How do we know they’ll see the signal?” said Kelly.

“We make sure it’s a big one,” said O’Neal.

“A big puff,” said Kelly.

“A very big puff,” said O’Neal.