Free From the Ocean from teh Stars by Arthur C. Clarke Page A

through its paths and byways, carrying a flashlight to avoid the low-hanging branches, one had to be very tactful with the beam. One was liable to find that favorite spots had already been requisi tioned, which would be extremely frustrating if there was nowhere else to go.
    The fortunate scientists at the Research Station, however, had an invaluable escape route. All the large surface craft and all the under water vessels belonged to Administration, though they were made availa ble to the lab for official business. But by some historical accident, the lab had a tiny private fleet consisting of one launch and two catamarans. No one was quite sure who owned the latter, and it was noticeable that they were always at sea when the auditors arrived for the annual in ventory.
    The little cats did a great deal of work for the lab, since they drew only six inches of water and could operate safely over the reef except at low tide. With a stiff wind behind them, they could do twenty knots with ease, and races between the two craft were frequently arranged. When they were not being used for other business, the scientists would sail them to the neighboring reefs and islands to impress their friends— usually of the opposite sex—with their prowess as seamen.
    It was a little surprising that ships and occupants had always come back safely from these expeditions. The only casualties had been to morale; one first warden of many years seniority had had to be carried
    off the boat after a pleasure trip, and had sworn that nothing would ever induce him to travel on the surface of the sea again.
    When Indra suggested to Franklin that he might like to sail to Mast head Island, he accepted at once. Then he said cautiously: "Who'll run the boat?"
    Indra looked hurt.
    "I will, of course," she answered. "I've done it dozens of times." She seemed to be half-expecting him to doubt her competence, but Frank lin knew better than to do so. Indra, he had already discovered, was a very levelheaded girl—perhaps too levelheaded. If she said she could do a job, that was that.
    There was still, however, one other point to be settled. The cats could take four people; who would the other two be?
    Neither Indra nor Franklin actually voiced the final decision. It hovered in the air while they discussed various possible companions, starting with Don and working down the list of Indra's friends at the lab. Presently the conversation died out into one of those portentous pauses which can sometimes occur even in a roomful of chattering people.
    In the sudden silence, each realized that the other was thinking the same thought, and that a new phase had begun in their relationship. They would take no one with them to Masthead; for the first time, they would have the solitude that had never been possible here. That this could lead only to one logical conclusion they refused to admit, even to themselves, the human mind having a remarkable capacity for self-deceit.
    It was well into the afternoon before they were able to make all their arrangements and escape. Franklin felt very guilty about Don, and won dered what his reactions would be when he found out what had happened. He would probably be mortified, but he was not the sort to hold a grudge and he would take it like a man.
    Indra had thought of everything. Food, drinks, sunburn lotion, towels —she had overlooked nothing that such an expedition might need. Frank lin was impressed by her thoroughness, and was amused to find himself thinking that so competent a woman would be very useful to have around the house. Then he reminded himself hastily that women who were too efficient were seldom happy unless they ran their husbands' lives as well as their own.
    There was a steady wind blowing from the mainland, and the cat bounded across the waves like a living creature. Franklin had never before been in a sailing boat, and he found the experience an exhilarating one. He lay back on the worn but comfortable padding of the