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“Sure,” the native said “We got good medicine Fix you up You from New Bedford?”

Dobbs nodded

“Too bad,” the native said “New Bedfordpointed teeth “No medicine We watch you burn up from fire sickness”

A quiet voice said, “Are you all right, Captain?”

Caleb had elare of torchlight

The native leader’s eyes widened and he spat out a single word

“’Atua!”

The captain had picked up a s of Oceanic and knew that ’atua was the islanders’ word for “a bad ghost” Rising onto his elbows, Dobbs said, “Yes This is my ’atua Do what he says or he will curse you and everyone on your island”

Caleb had sized up the situation and went along with the captain’s bluff

Lifting his arms wide above his head for dramatic effect, he said, “Put your weapons down or I will use my power”

The native leader said soe and the othertools to the deck

“You said you could do so about the fire sickness,” the captain said “You have ry”

The islander seemed unsure of what to do, but his doubts vanished when Caleb reht the tropical breeze The islander issued a curt order to the others

The captain blacked out again His slu one in which he felt a cold, wet sensation and a sting on his chest When he blinked his eyes open, it was daytied with full sail against a clear blue sky, and waves slapped the hull White-plumed birds wheeled overhead

The firstof water “Feeling better, Captain?”