be we can work out a
plan."

Zircon nodded. "That's sensible. The question is, how can we reconnoiter
the island? Circling it in the boat again will only tell us what we
already know."

"Only one way. We go look," Chahda pointed out.

Rick knew the Hindu boy was right. But getting ashore presented
problems. If the MTB got within swimming distance, the pirates would see
it. Of course they could row ashore by night in the rubber life raft the
big boat carried. He suggested it to the others.

Chahda leaped at the idea. "Silent boat is good, Rick, but not rubber
boat. You remember we still got vinta?"

"Of course!" Rick saw that Chahda had hit on the answer. They had left
the captured vinta in a small cove on the shore of an uninhabited island
a few miles to the north. "We can get it and tow it to easy sailing
distance. The pirates won't think anything of a single vinta even if
they see it. There must be boats coming and going all the time."

"That is what I think too." Chahda ran back to the helm.

"Won't they recognize the vinta?" Scotty asked, then answered his own
question, "I guess not. I've seen a dozen sails like it, and the hull
looks like all the rest."

"The plan might work," Zircon agreed. "We'll try it. First we get the
vinta, then head south. By morning we'll be far out in the open sea. We
can then make a wide circle and approach the island from the east. They
won't expect us from that direction. Besides, only the western shore was
guarded, so far as I could see."

Rick had a picture in his mind of the strip of isolated beach on the
northern shore. If they could land there, no one would see them. Then
they could climb over the stretch of lava between the beach and the
land, or swim around to the point where the land began.

"I know the place," he volunteered, and told the others his idea,
repeating it for Chahda's benefit as the boy reappeared at the cabin
door.

Zircon thought it over. "It should work, unless they have a lookout
posted at each side of the island. But we can't know that until we try.
Frankly, I doubt it. I think they believe the island is safe on all
sides except the west. Now, who will go on this reconnaissance?"

"Rick and me," Chahda said firmly.

"I'm going," Scotty stated.

Zircon held up his hand. "Wait. Chahda, from your tone of voice, you
have a reason. What is it?"

"Plenty reason. This small island, so who goes ashore will be seen, I
think. So, must be in Moro clot