"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 clothes. Professor, you and Scotty not good
size for Moro. You too big, and Scotty has too wide shoulders. Rick is
maybe a little tall, but not so wide. He can maybe stoop a little. Me, I
perfect for Moro. Even same color."
"You're right," Zircon agreed. "No question of it. So curb your
impatience, Scotty. Your turn will come and so will mine. Chahda, you
take the lead in figuring out disguises for you and Rick. Scotty, you
and I will take over the watch and get underway."
* * * * *
By morning the _Swift Arrow_, with the vinta in tow, was in Indonesian
waters far from shipping lanes or fishing grounds. Zircon figured their
position as 120 degrees 29 minutes longitude, and 4 degrees 21 seconds
latitude. They had seen no sails for hours.
The MTB was allowed to drift while the group went about the business of
making ready. Chahda had created a Moro cap for Rick from a piece of
upholstery he had cut from a seat bottom. Rick had cut the seams in a
pair of white duck trousers and laced them with twine from the rope
locker until they fitted as tightly as Moro pants. One of his own
shirts, dirtied up a little and left open at the collar, would complete
his outfit.
Chahda cut one of his extra turbans in half and made sashes for both of
them, and modified the wrapping of his own turban so that it was more
like the flat Moro variety.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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