The man paused to say something to one of the packers, then turned again to Hi.
“Who was your appointment with, did you say?”
“A friend.”
“Ah,” said the man, “what’s your friend’s name? I only ask because I know La Boca, and it might be a question of putting you ashore either to the north or to the south.”
“He will be at the inn,” Hi said.
“Which inn?” the man said.
“Is there more than one?” Hi asked.
“Is your friend an Englishman? What’s his name?”
“Excuse me,” Hi said, “but can you get me to La Boca?”
“Let me see,” the man said, “did you mention your name and your friend’s name?”