During our ten days’ stay we were to learn more of the rather intricate relationships and frictions between these three groups. At the moment, however, we were just happy to have arrived.
On shore we could see a bustle of activity. Figures dashed here and there, into buildings and out again, but nothing constructive seemed to happen. At last a small native boat was launched and started out under sail, bringing Chris Bartlett, manager of C. & W., some half dozen of his group, and a couple of native boatmen.
As we helped him over the side, Mr. Bartlett’s first words were “Well, how did you like the cyclone?”
This was the first time the word had been spoken aloud. I had secretly thought that this storm bore all the earmarks of a typical Indian Ocean cyclone but had pushed the idea aside, because of course they just didn’t occur at this season!
Jessica’s eyes grew round. “Was it really a cyclone?” she breathed.
“It certainly was!” Mr. Bartlett assured her. He handed us a copy of a cablegram he had received from Perth, Australia:
28/8/56. HEREWITH CYCLONE WARNING AREA
AFFECTED LATITUDE 10 AND 25 LONGITUDE 90 AND
105 CENTRE BELOW 985 MILLIBARS MOVEMENT
INDEFINITE FORCE 10 TO 12 WINDS WITHIN 70 MILES