Calico Pennants Read Online Free Page B

degrees off course would be an error easily explained.”
    “So I would be spying…”
    “Does the idea give you nerves?” asked Forrestal.
    Considering her history and accomplishments, such a notion seemed absurd. “Not particularly, sir.”
    But the undersecretary, too, was unflappable. He continued presenting the Government’s proposition: “Might one also presume, Mrs. Putnam, that after turning east at Truk Island and flying all night, you would reach the Marshall Islands by daylight?”
    With all the stakes on the table, Amelia was now inclined to play his game aggressively. She had always been good at gambling. “Yes, one might presume that, Mr. Forrestal,” she said. “But remember, unless flying conditions are perfect, the Electra will be critically low on fuel as we turn south from the Marshalls and head for Howland Island.”
    “Of course this is speculative,” reminded FDR.
    “Of course,” re-iterated the undersecretary.
    “Look, Amelia,” said the president earnestly, “I’m not one to pull punches. I need information. This is one way I can get it. I realize that such a mission is not without risk, but I also know that risk is your business! Some people handle risk well. You’re one of those people. I trust you.”
    The profound implications of what the president was asking of her settled conclusively upon Amelia’s consciousness. For in spite of the obvious hazard (surely she did not wish to be captured as a spy by the Japanese) this was a duty she was willing to perform.
    “Yes, I believe such a detour is possible, Mr. President,” she nodded. “Of course my navigator will have to be thoroughly briefed.”
    “Who will be navigating?” asked Forrestal.
    “We believe Fred Noonan is the best person for the job.”
    “Is Mr. Noonan likely to go along?” Forrestal wanted to know.
    “I know that Freddy is intensely patriotic,” Amelia related. “And I’m sure he’ll consider it a privilege, as I do, to serve this office.”
    “I knew I could count on you, Amelia,” said FDR. “Now, you must keep us informed on the progress of repairs to your plane. And if there’s anything you need—anything at all...”
    “Of course we’ll have to work behind the scenes,” said Forrestal. “It just wouldn’t look right if we were out front on this.”
    “I understand,” said Amelia. “I must say that I’m rather surprised. I thought I was just coming to the White House for a casual luncheon. But I’m grateful for your interest, your trust, and of course your willingness to help.”
    With a self-satisfied look on his face, Roosevelt placed another cigarette in his holder. Forrestal leaned close to flick his lighter. FDR nodded first at AE, then at Undersecretary Forrestal. A pact had been made.

CHAPTER 4
Buenaventura

    THE OUTRIGGER CANOE rocked gently in the placid waters of the lagoon as the crew of the Hawai’iloa prepared for departure.
    Not long ago the vessel’s hulls had been tall trees. They had been felled, hollowed, and shaped with stone tools, then hand-polished with infinite care using small abrasive blocks of coral. The lashings were made from coconut fiber sennit rope, the sails from treated pandanus leaves.
    Finally the navigator, Nainoa Nainoa, pulled away the prop that tethered the canoe to land, and the crew of rowers, standing waist-deep in the lagoon, vaulted joyously into the seventy-nine-foot hulls and took their positions on the moveable seats which slid back and forth within the craft’s hollowed-out section.
    With spume rising all about them and the tips receding back into darkened troughs, Hawai’iloa left the Marquesas and embarked upon its rightful journey. The unfurled sails sang in the favorable easterly wind as a lone canoe with thirty-three brave and seasoned sailors aboard rode over the combers and out to sea. Without compass they headed northward over the widest expanse of ocean on earth.
    “Sail to the land guarded by ‘seven little eyes’,”