Using an oar to steer, for we had not yet reached 

 the extremely rough water beyond the shelter of the 

 point, we allowed the wind to carry us toward the naval 

 installation farther down the shore. As Wee Diver grated 

 to a stop in the oflFshore shallows, we were surrounded 

 by a crowd of curious Navy lads. While Ed and Pete set 

 about removing the outboard to examine it. Captain 

 Weems disappeared in the direction of the encampment 

 in search of tools. He soon returned, accompanied by 

 Commander Redmond, commandant of the base. 



As Ed carefully took the engine apart, the men circled 

 about him, absorbed in the mechanics of the operation 

 like all males everywhere. Their response to Captain 

 Weems's questions about the harbor was unanimous. It 

 was nearly always rough, they said. Commander Red- 

 mond expressed amazement that the four of us had suc- 

 ceeded in crossing the turbulent harbor in such a small 

 boat. He expressed concern at our attempting to return to 

 the far-distant Sea Diver with wind and sea behind us. 

 He said that it was against rules for the men on the 

 station to venture out on the harbor except on the days 

 when it was calm. 



Ed soon had the outboard back in operation, and he 

 and Pete set out to return to Sea Diver. Captain Weems 

 and I accepted the Commander's invitation to take us 

 across the island by car to Cockbumtown, where Sea 

 Diver would eventually return. 



That afternoon Commander Redmond drove us over 

 the rough, rocky excuse for a road which led to the light- 

 house. From its top we could see almost the whole 

 island. I noted particularly the chaotic water off the east 

 shore, and the narrow, rocky point which divided it from 

 the scarcely less agitated reef harbor. 



On a neighboring hilltop is the tall shaft which com- 

 memorates Columbus's first landfall. I asked Commander 



On the Track of Columbus 323 



