THE BOOK OF THE TARPON 



"I know all about that and I like to swim. 

 Shall we run up to Punta Gorda for the Green 

 Pea, this morning? Tide '11 help us both ways 

 if we get off soon." 



The Green Pea was a little skiff, short and 

 wide with a broad rudder and a tiny motor with 

 reverse gear. It was built for the Camera-man 

 who sat in the bow with camera and plates while 

 the boy in the stern, controlling motor and rud- 

 der, backed and filled and almost turned the 

 craft on its center as he placed it wherever di- 

 rected. 



When we returned from Punta Gorda the 

 captain advised anchoring in a cove south of 

 Boca Grande, saying, "We're goin' to have a 

 nor'wester and may need some trees to tie to. 

 The Irene isn't a deep water boat." 



"What makes you think we are going to have 

 a nor'wester?" 



"Feel it in my bones." 



"But that is all nonsense," said I. "It's only 

 a guess of yours and a bad one." 



"Bet you a dollar the wind blows a gale from 

 the nor' west all day to-morrow!" 



"The only reason I won't bet is because I 



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