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Its great tusk that had to be close to fifteen feet in length rose out of the water until it was suspended just over the side of the ship's netting Keturah slid down the scarred rubbery snout to the tusk and gracefully walked the broad length of it barefoot

That tusk had been rah countless sea monsters no doubt, but Keturah showed no fear She stepped down onto the deck netting and the whale drew back as graceful and as calculated as the swish of a cat's tail

Keturah sh our shock and awed ranks to head for the main been caught talking to an ani that she was crazy

I looked from her at the mainmast back out to the sea I was somewhat startled to see that the whale had coreat eye was directly in front of me It stared at me with an intensity that was undeniable Just how iven to these creatures?

I knew that whales had their own languagea stern lecture through the one eyed glare of a higher significance I got the e Don't hurt his pretty e delivered the whale dipped down silently beneath the waves and was gone frolanced fro save him a dirty look and turned back to see what Keturah was up to There was more of a sea breeze than there had been before and Keturah in the absence of my attention had already unfurled the sail and made the necessary tie offs of ropes attached to it She really was a superb sailor and I respected her as such

I stepped aft and undid the directional sail swing boom So lost in the repetition of her ti for what I had just done when she saw I had already done it She gave me a ready smile that had real pleasure in it

"I hope you don't ht the sails ot richer It seemed that all her s of herself

First she'd offeredover the reins of her boat, which had to be her one pride and joy in life When it ca but joyful surrender It was hu