Voyage of the Dolphin (14 page)

R
eb and Wash sat on the fantail of the
Dawn.
The ship cut through the water as fast as a sailfish. Overhead her white sails puffed, and there was a feeling of safety and security, which the young men both enjoyed.

“Been a nice voyage, hasn't it, Wash?” Reb said. “Nice to have a crew to do all the work. All we do is fish and eat. I could get used to that.”

“Me too,” Wash said. “I expect it'll be over tomorrow, though. At least that's what the captain said.”

They sat listening to the hissing of the waves as the ship cleaved the waters, the sail like a white wing. Reb began to talk of Camelot. He had thought of that place a lot lately and finally said, “I'd like to go back there sometime.”

Dave came up to join them. He listened as Reb talked of his dream of returning to Camelot and then said quietly, “I'd like to go back to Oldworld, but I don't guess I'll ever do that.”

“No,” Wash said slowly, “and you might not like it if you did.”

“What do you mean by that?” Dave asked in surprise.

“I mean I heard of a book one time called
You Can't Go Home Again.
I never read it, but a fellow told me it was about a young man who grew up. He tried to go back to his hometown, and he found things just weren't the same.”

“Well, I'd like to go back to mine,” Dave said. “My old life, that is.”

“I don't know about that,” Reb said. “You're older now, Dave. I can remember lots of stuff I thought was real important when I was just a kid. It don't seem too important now.” He thought of Camelot again. “Most of the time when we go back, things seem smaller and not as much fun as they were in our minds. That's why memories are pretty good, I reckon.”

The two other boys stared at him, and Wash said, “I guess you're getting to be a philosopher, Reb.”

At that moment, Daybright stepped up. “We're having a formal dinner tonight. I'll expect every one of you to come looking your best. Better cut each other's hair, it looks to me.”

“What about yours?”

“Me too. This'll be our last meal on board all together I want it to be a good one.”

The boys had a fine time washing up and cutting each other's hair, and finally they put on such clothes as they could find. There had been some on board the ship, and they pieced together what they could.

The girls appeared at the main cabin all wearing dresses they had just about worn out. They had been pieced together and sewn and patched. Their hair, however, had been carefully done. They had clearly spent much time on that, and Josh thought they looked very pretty.

He said so at once, bowing. “My, you ladies look like you're ready for a ball. You sure look nice.”

“Thank you, Josh,” Sarah said. Her eyes gleamed, and her black hair was carefully done in a coronet around her head. Her eyes looked very large, and with her hair arranged this way, she looked more grown-up.

“Everyone sit down!” Captain Daybright announced. “It's time for the banquet.”

This time the meal was served by some of the crew that Daybright had engaged for the voyage. It was a delicious dinner of fish, beef, stew, even fruit that had been carefully stored.

After dinner, Josh said, “I guess it's time for the speeches now, Captain. Let's have it.”

Captain Daybright rose. “I've sailed with many crews,” he began, “but none as fine as this one …” He spoke in glowing terms of the Sleepers, how courageous they were, how true to one another, and finally he reached down and picked up his glass. “I propose a toast—to Goél, who took care of us even though we never saw his face.”

The toast was drunk, and then Daybright looked down the table at Dawn, who, thus far, had said scarcely a word. She had kept to herself on the voyage, and the Sleepers thought she was humiliated by her nearly disastrous marriage to the king.

Now Daybright lifted his glass again and said, “And now I propose a toast to the bride!”

“What does he mean by that?” Josh whispered. “She's not a bride. She dumped the king.”

Sarah kicked him under the table. “Will you hush and listen! Maybe you'll learn something.”

“To the bride,” Daybright said, and they all stood.

Then Dawn Catalina rose to her feet. She had lost weight and was slender, but there was true regal beauty in her as she held her glass high. A smile came to her lips, and she said, “Now, I offer a toast to my husband-to-be, Captain Ryland Daybright.”

Silence ran around the table, and then a cheer broke out.

Captain Daybright blushed scarlet even beneath his sunburn, and Dawn said loudly, “I'm getting a much better husband than I thought I would.” She left her place, came around the table, and held up her arms.

Daybright put his around her and looked down, saying fondly, “And I've got a fine bride, gentle and sweet.”

There was a celebration then, never to be forgotten.

Late that night after the party had broken up, once again Josh and Sarah were on deck.

They had been quiet for a long time, and then Josh said, “I guess I see what you meant, Sarah.”

“About what?”

He turned to look at her. Her face was outlined in silver by the light of the moon. The breeze blew her hair, and she looked very pretty.

“You knew all about it, didn't you? About Dawn and Captain Daybright?”

“I knew she was in love with him. All you had to do was look at her. There's just something about a woman in love.”

Josh stared at her for a long time. The breeze blew softly, and the moon beamed down. She seemed very young and vulnerable. Awkwardly he swallowed and, feeling a little ridiculous, said, “Well …”

He could say no more. He reached out and drew her to him. He kissed her and then stepped back, feeling guilty.

Sarah stared at him. “You did a sorry job of that,” she said. “If you're going to kiss a girl, then do it right!”

Josh blinked. “Well, shoot! I haven't had much practice.” A smile came to his lips. “Let me try that again. I believe I can get the hang of it.”

The ship dipped slightly and glided on toward the mainland. A cloud covered the moon. The two stood at the rail, and Josh's arm was around her waist.

His voice came out slightly husky. “Well, Sarah,” he said, “I guess we're growing up. And it looks like the Seven Sleepers are safe for a time.”