1

Exhausted as he was by his long vigil and the effort needed to change
his shape, it was another hour or more before Chris could sleep that
night. The sound of that heavy but held-back breathing, so close to
Zachary and himself in the black hold, frightened Chris almost more,
once he was safe in his cabin and hammock, than it had at the time.
Zachary had bolted up the ladder like a frightened squirrel, with
Chris, as a fly, holding on for dear life. Even so, Zachary moved none
too fast to suit Chris, who flew off toward his own cabin in a
chattering fright. The lumpy form of Amos, asleep in his hammock, was
reassuring, but Chris lay shivering and puzzling for a long time
before he finally fell asleep.

The next day, lying on his stomach in the hot sun, he dozed with his
cheek on his folded hands, his mind going over and over the details of
the night before. Try as he would, Chris could not remember having
seen any member of the crew even near the hatch leading to the hold.

Let's see, he began in his mind, a bunch of the men were
singing--Bowie was one of 'em. They went down to their quarters first.
They were really closest to the hatch. Mr. Finney called Abner up to
the bridge, and Abner came back and went down a while later. Guess Mr.
Finney went to his quarters--I don't remember seeing him cross the
deck or come over that way at all.

Then--let's see--Captain Blizzard took a turn around the deck. It was
getting dark. He joked with the cook at the galley door, and probably
went on, for I didn't see him come by again. Next, Ned Cilley was
relieved at the helm by Elbert Jones, who took over. Ned went on down.

Or did he? Chris wrinkled his brow with concentration. I _guess_ so,
he thought, but I don't _know_ so. It looks to me as if it could have
been one of several people, and I'll be switched if I know who. I'll
keep my eyes open. Maybe whoever it was will give himself away somehow
and give me a clue.

The _Mirabelle_ was nearing Tahiti. The air was balmy, and already a
different fragrance pervaded it, together with a softer quality which
Chris now knew meant land.

At noon one day Captain Blizzard announced to Chris and Amos: "Should
the wind keep up as it is now, by nightfall or by dawn at the latest,
we should sight Tahiti. We've water and fresh stores to take on
there." He beamed over his many chins at the two boys. "'Tis a fair
place, is Tahiti, and one you lads will have an interest and a
pleasure i