“Then let’s try the other passage first.”
Haredia glowered at Jack. “This one is better,” he insisted.
The woman passenger had laid aside her magazine. She spoke firmly. “Haredia is right. We must follow his advice.”
Jack knew he was beaten. Actually, in appearance, there was little choice between the passageways. He was ready to give in to Haredia’s wishes when Ken nudged him and pointed.
A native in a dugout canoe had just emerged from another inlet.
“He should be able to guide us to a village if we can make him understand!” Ken asserted. “Let’s give him a yodel!”
To the obvious displeasure of both the woman and Haredia, Jack shouted to the native. He came readily, gazing in awe at the crippled boat.
Haredia spoke rapidly to him. Jack caught a few of the words and the native’s answer.
“He says we’re to take this passage,” Haredia translated, pointing to the one he had favored.
Jack’s eyes smoldered. “Sorry,” he said coldly, “but I happen to understand a little Spanish. You didn’t ask him how to reach the nearest village. You said something about the weather.”