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anywhere in Santa Marta, but I found a new, identical alternator. The guy wanted a hundred and fifty bucks for the exchange. I know that sounds steep, but around here, it’s not bad, and I knew you wanted to get out of here.”
    â€œThat’s just great, Denny,” Cat grinned. “I’d have paid more.”
    Shortly, Denny had the new alternator in place. Cat switched to the engine battery he’d been saving, started the engine, and they checked the ammeter. “Charging just fine,” Denny proclaimed. “You’re in business.”
    Cat followed him into the cockpit. “You’ve been just great, Denny, I can’t thank you enough.” He pulled some bills from Katie’s wallet. “That was a hundred and fiftyfor the alternator, and here’s another hundred for your help. Is that okay?”
    Denny held up a hand. “Listen, Mr. Catledge, I was glad to help, but instead of the money, there’s something that would be a lot more important to me.”
    â€œIf I’ve got it, you can have it,” Cat said.
    â€œLook, I’m a good hand. I grew up on boats. I’ve done two races from San Diego to Hawaii on a Class One boat; I’ve sailed a Southern Ocean Racing Conference series on a maxi-rater; I’ve spent a year as mate on a ninety-foot gaffer—that’s how I got to Colombia. I know engines, and I can even cook. There’s hardly anything I can’t do on a boat.”
    Cat nodded. “Yeah, go on.”
    â€œMr. Catledge, I want to get out of Colombia. This is a crazy place, full of thieves and drugs and people who’d just as soon cut your throat as look at you. My folks sent me the money, once, but I blew it, I was stupid. If you’ll give me a ride as far as the Canal, well, from there I should be able to hitch a ride up the west coast of Mexico and home to California. I know you don’t know me or anything, but I come from good people, my dad’s a dentist at home. I just sort of got off track down here, and I’d like to get back on again. I don’t have much gear, and I don’t take up much room. I promise you I’ll work my tail off for you. You won’t regret taking me.”
    Cat looked at the boy; he seemed practically in tears. He thought about the young man at home he hadn’t been able to help, who wouldn’t take his help. He glanced over Denny’s shoulder at Katie and Jinx. They both nodded. He turned back, took the boy by the wrist, and slapped the money into his palm. “You’ll need the money when you get to Panama, Denny, and you’ve got yourself a berth.”
    Denny let out a shout. “I’ll send the money up to the alternator guy—my gear’s up in the shed. I won’t be thirty seconds!” He leapt from the boat and ran down the catwalk.
    â€œStand by to cast off,” Cat called out, and the women stood by their warps. Denny was back on board almost immediately, clutching a single duffel. Cat put the engine in gear. When they were clear of the wharf, he started a tight turn to bring the yacht back into open water. “Toss your gear in the starboard pilot berth in the saloon,” he said to Denny, and the boy dived below with his duffel bag.
    As they came out of the turn, they passed close by a boat of about their size moored at the other end of the quay. Cat heard a muffled shout from below on the other boat, and a man’s head popped up through the companionway. They were no more than twenty feet away. “Christ,” the man called to his wife, who was sunning herself in the cockpit, “now they’ve stolen our goddamned spare alternator. What next, the mast?”
    Cat winced. Katie and Jinx, untying the mainsail, burst into helpless laughter. Denny was still below. Cat hesitated for just a moment, then kept going. “Hoist the mainsail!” he laughed.

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    B Y THE TIME THEY HAD BEEN AN HOUR UNDER SAIL, TO C