A Hero for Leanda

His age, Conway thought, was probably about forty-five.
    Kastella returned Conway ’s gaze for a moment or two, making his own calm inspection. Then he said, “Good morning, Conway ,” in a friendly tone, and sat down in the cockpit.
    Conway said, “Did you manage to get some sleep?”
    “As much as I needed, thank you.” Kastella looked carefully around the horizon. There were low islands lying on both quarters, with coconut palms rising from them. “What sort of progress are we making?”
    Conway glanced at the patent log. “We’ve done forty-eight miles. Another hour or so, and we’ll be out of sight of land.”
    Kastella nodded. “I wonder if they’ll try to follow us .“
    “Nobody saw us leave,” Conway said. “Nobody can be sure where we’re making for.”
    “No, but Africa ’s the nearest place. They’ll probably guess we came out this way.”
    “Nearness isn’t everything,” Conway said. “I doubt if they’ll expect us to go back where we came from.”
    “We could have been seen at daybreak from one of the outlying copra stations. Most of them are in contact with Heureuse by radio.”
    “Well, I’d be surprised if there was anything in the island fast enough to catch us now—we’ve had too long a start. I think we’re safe enough.”
    “Let’s hope you’re right,” Kastella said. “But don’t underestimate the English, Conway. They’ve lost a very important prize in me. They’ve also been made to look foolish. They’re quite capable of sending an aircraft carrier to search for us.”
    “I don’t know where they’d send it from,” Conway said. “The nearest must be at least a thousand miles away—and anyhow, the ocean’s a hell of a big place to search, even with aircraft.”
    “All the same, wouldn’t it be a sensible precaution to turn off the direct track for a while—just in case?”
    “Don’t worry,” Conway said. “That’s what I intend to do.”

    Presently Leanda stuck her head out of the saloon. “Morning, Mike!” she called cheerfully. “Morning, Mr. Kastella!”
    “Alex,’ to you,” Kastella said. “We really can’t have formalities in a small boat.”
    She smiled. “Very well... Sorry I’ve been so lazy, Mike.”
    “You’ll be making up for it later,” Conway said.
    “I won’t be long....” She went below to dress. Above the noise of the engine, Conway could hear her singing. Kastella was listening, too.
    “One of our folk songs . . he said. He moved nearer the door. “What a delightful voice she has!”
    “I never heard it before,” Conway said. “I guess she’s got more to sing about now.”
    In a few moments she was back on deck. “Alex, you’d better come and collect the things we brought for you from Mombasa —I’m sure you’d like to get out of that dressing gown. You can use the forecabin while I get breakfast....”
    “What have we got for breakfast?” Conway asked.
    Orange juice. Tinned bacon, tinned sausages, fresh eggs. Coffee. All right?”
    “Sounds wonderful,” Conway said.

    They were clearing the land, now, and a faint breeze was stirring the smooth surface of the sea. Presently Conway turned off the engine and hoisted the sails. The wind was heading them a little, but Thalia still had a good slant. He stayed at the tiller while Leanda cooked breakfast, enjoying the quiet chuckle of the water under the bows and the engineless peace. He could even hear the bacon sizzling in the pan. At his suggestion, Leanda ate first, with Kastella; then he gave her the tiller and went below, while Kastella sat beside her in the cockpit, still talking. They were continuing to use the liquid, flowing language of their country. Once or twice, as Leanda caught Conway ’s eye through the open saloon door, she switched to English, trying to bring him into the conversation, but Kastella always switched back.
    After breakfast Conway and Leanda started the old routine of the ship’s chores while Kastella shaved in the saloon. His presence had the effect of slowing everything down a great deal. He was too bulky a man to make a comfortable third in so small a yacht, and whatever part of the ship he was in seemed crowded. Also, by constantly talking to Leanda, he distracted her, so that Conway had to remind her once or twice of things not done. But by noon the decks had been washed down, a supply of water filtered and made drinkable, the log written up, and the first sights taken. Kastella was interested in all that went