Chapter 16

Julie and Dan flew from Boston to Miami, where they changed planes for Treasure Cay in the Abacos. It was just a short flight from Miami; it seemed that they no sooner had gotten on the small plane, than they were getting off. The passengers descended an open staircase, swept by the warm Bahama breeze.

“Oh, Dan, look! Look at the palms!”

The tall trees swayed gracefully, swishing in the gentle trade winds like exotic dancers, filling Julie with wonder.

“Boy, it sure is warm,” said Dan. “It reminds me of Hawaii, only flatter.”

“It’ll be cooler on the water, honey,” said Julie. “Marc said to take a taxi to the Ferry dock.”

They still had quite a way to go to get to Castle Cay. First, they had to board the ferry to Green Turtle Cay, where they were to meet John Drum, the Solomon’s caretaker. Mr. Drum would be aboard the Solomons’ boat, Wave Dancer, which would take them to the island.

Once aboard the ferry, Dan became as excited as Julie. He’d brought his camera and was snapping pictures, one after the other. “This is great! What an adventure, huh?”

“Yes. I can’t wait to see the island!’

They had no trouble finding the Solomon’s slip at Green Turtle Cay. Wave Dancer was an impressive craft in pristine condition. It was obvious from the equipment on board that the beautiful boat was mostly used for fishing. There was a short, dark haired man on the deck. He had a wiry look about him and a ruddy, weathered face.

“Hello! Are you John Drum?” said Dan.

“Yessir,” the man said, smiling. “You must be Mr. and Mrs. O’Hara?”

“Yes, we are.” Dan said, as they climbed aboard. “Please, call us Dan and Julie. Thank you for meeting us! Should we call you John?”

“Yessir. That’ll be fine, sir…ma’am”.

Although he seemed quite friendly, he was plainly uncomfortable calling them “Dan” and “Julie”. Just then, a dark-haired teenage boy climbed onto the boat with his arms full of groceries.

“This here’s my boy, Alfred.”

“Hi,” Julie said. “I’m Mrs. O’Hara…or Julie, if you like. This is my husband, Dan. Do we call you Alfred, or Al?”

“Al’s fine, ma’am.”

John Drum stowed their bags, and directed them to some blue padded seats in the rear of the boat. “There’s a cooler right there, if you want a coke. My missus made some sandwiches; thought you might be hungry. Takes about 45 minutes to get to Castle Cay. The sea’s calm today, so I figured you might want to sit back here…but go ahead inside, if you want. Call Alfred if you need anything. I’ll be topside, and I might not hear you. Welcome aboard, and enjoy the trip!”

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