The captain contacted the boat by radio
learning that a family, husband, wife and small child, were on a long passage
of their years-long round-the-world cruise. They had left the last port with
inadequate provisions. The crew began to lower the captain’s rubber runabout.
The galley crew loaded up champagne, sandwiches, fruit and more durable ships
stores. The ebullient captain, always ready for some fun whether it was feeling
me up, reciting poetry or joking with passengers, fired up the outboard engine
and we lined the rails watching him whizzing off to deliver the susance with a
flourish. The husband waved one of the champagne bottles in thanks. The
runabout and our captain were hoisted back up and we sailed on, soon leaving
the family far behind on their lonely voyage.
An inviolate sundown ritual was celebrated whenever we were far from land. Everyone gathered with their champagne glasses to watch the sunset, hoping for a glimpse of the elusive “green flash.”
Judith
Works (to be continued)
