The Spaniard and the Laskar Pirates ( )

Log entry, the catch scarlet queen. Position 132 degrees, six minutes west, 25 degrees, 15 minutes north. Gyrocompas course 275. Wind fresh, sky fair. Remarks, departed island of Mooneen, GMAT 415 PM, after unlogged movement of vessel.

Reason for move, the Spaniard and the Laskar pirates. It was mid afternoon, 15 days after we dropped the Hawaiian chain behind us that we raised on the horizon, the mountain peaks of Mooningjima, and our appetite for cool, sweet water and fresh fruit. The island lies some 500 miles east-northes from the Bonyan Group and it served as a Japanese base during the war. My pre-war charts due to

Jap's secrecy were incomplete and inaccurate, but just before sunset when we stood around the southern tip we did find the anchor had shown on them. It was a small half-moon bay protected by a line of breakers, forming in over a barrier reef. A little north of the center of the reef was our pass, wide enough for the queen to slip through with good steerage way, friendly

currents, and the light hand at the wheel. The water over the side took on a shallow look as we approached under power, and Gallagher went to the bow with a hand led to measure the depth. He heaved the lead and lined forward, and his readings came rolling back. Five fathoms, leaving a few despair between Keel and Fato.

But shallowing to less than five as we closed on the pass. Why the teeth? Four and a half fathoms, and the teeth of the coral started to show through the white froth of surf. And the currents washing back from it took the bow of the queen from port and pushed.