ALBACORA 141 



Granted that the novelty of the babies had worn off, 

 "buzzards" was still a needlessly harsh word to use. 

 "Ideally," I said, in an irrational burst of pity, "they 

 ought to be returned to their families." 



"Maybe we could cook them," Howard suggested. 



"They belong back with their mothers," I said loudly. 



"Say, Gorman," Lou said, "don't you hear Genie? 

 It was your idea to rob the cradle. If you have guts 

 you'll put those babies back where you found them." 

 Lou was as surprised as anyone else at Walt's reply. 



"All right," Walt said, "I'll take them to their 

 homes." Then he was back in the WaWa with Mario, 

 holding his nose and ignoring all of us on the Explorer, 



The sea had grown considerably rougher while we 

 had been taking pictures. "Walt," I shouted. "Don't do 

 anything foolish. The birds don't really matter that 

 much." 



"We want to cook them," Howard said. 



Walt turned around and grinned. "Nothing to getting 

 back in there," he said, "so long as you know what 

 you're doing." 



"I know," shouted Mario. "I know." 



"Quick, Mario," Walt said, "before the wind shifts. 

 Let's get going." 



Because the sea had grown so rough, Mario and Walt 

 waited fifteen minutes in the white foam close to the 

 rocks before there was a break long enough for them to 

 rush through. The lagoon was rougher, too, and the 



