Ha’apu watched them descend, and worried.
The water inside the lagoon would be clear as quartz. Even out here, visibility was excellent in all directions.
The underwater world held as much fascination for him now as it had on his first dive, years ago. Much of the mystery was gone, but the beauty of his refuge was ever-present.
For the first few minutes, as they swam parallel to the reef, he couldn’t stop himself from turning to look anxiously in all directions. He gave up that nonsense after five minutes. Nothing more impressive than a fair-sized grouper had trundled clumsily across their path. His shark prod now dangled lazily from his belt.
They stopped often for pictures. Even if this were only a pleasure jaunt, it would be nice to bring back something to justify the expenditure and time.
They returned to the Vatai ten minutes early. Poplar was feeling hungry and a little discouraged. The tiny reef had been exceptional in its mediocrity. He’d
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WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE . ..
seen hundreds of identical spots during his trips throughout the Pacific and the Caribbean. And he didn’t feel like staying another five or six days.
In sum, he was being took. If Ha’apu’s plan was to use the two teeth to get a free estimate of the fishing grounds (probably been in the village for years, he thought), it was working admirably. Poplar was definitely being used.
“Did you see anything?” asked Ha’apu politely as he helped Elaine doff her tanks.
“I got a couple of shots of a pretty good-sized Moray. Otherwise, Ha’apu, there’s more sea life to be found outside the harbor at Pago Pago or Apia.”