                          ,,! ,,:ITE ,,S1L              
,OH6 HU% !E1 MY BABY1 ! NI<T IS 2H U1
,& BLACK >E ! WAT]S T SP>KL$ S GRE54
,! MOON1 O'] ! -B]S1 LOOKS D[NW>D 6F9D U
,AT RE/ 9 ! HOLL[S T RU/LE 2T4
,": BILL[ MEETS BILL[1 !N S(T 2 ?Y PILL[1

  ,AH1 WE>Y WEE FLIPP]L+1 CURL AT ?Y EASE6
,! /ORM % N WAKE !E1 NOR %>K OV]TAKE !E1

  ,ASLEEP 9 ! >MS (! SL[-SW++ S1S6
,,S1L ,,LULLABY


  ,,ALL ,,^! ,,?+S HAPP5$ S"EAL YE>S AGO
AT A PLACE CALL$ ,NOVA/O%NAH1 OR ,NOR?
,EA/ ,PO9T1 ON ! ,ISL& ( ,/4 ,PAUL1 AWAY &
AWAY 9 ! ,B]+ ,SEA4 ,LIMM]%91 ! ,W9T]
,WR51 TOLD ME ! TALE :5 HE 0 BL[N ON 6!
RI7+ (A /1M] GO+ 6,JAPAN1 & ,I TOOK HM D[N
96MY CAB9 & W>M$ & F$ HM =A C\PLE ( "DS
TILL HE 0 FIT 6FLY BACK 6,/4 ,PAUL'S AG4
,LIMM]%9 IS A V QUA9T LL BIRD1 B HE "KS H[
6TELL ! TRU?4

  ,NOBODY -ES 6,NOVA/O%NAH EXCEPT ON
BUSI;S1 &! ONLY P :O H REGUL> BUSI;S "! >E
! S1LS4 ,!Y -E 9 ! SUMM] MON?S 0HUNDR$S &
HUNDR$S ( ?\S&S \ (! COLD GRAY SEA4 ,=
,NOVA/O%NAH ,B1* HAS ! F9E/           
A3OMMOD,N = S1LS ( ANY PLACE 9 ALL ! _W4

  ,SEA ,CAT* KNEW T1 & E SPR+ WD SWIM F
:AT"E PLACE HE HAPP5$ 6BE IN- WD SWIM L A
TORP$O BOAT /RAI<T = ,NOVA/O%NAH & SP5D A
MON? FI<T+ ) 8 -PANIONS =A GD PLACE ON !
ROCKS1 Z CLOSE 6! SEA Z POSSI#4 ,SEA ,CAT*
0 FIFTE5 YE>S OLD1 A HUGE GRAY FUR S1L )
ALM A MANE ON 8 %\LD]S1 & L;G1 WICK$ DOG
TEE?4 ,:5 HE H1V$ HMF UP ON 8 FRONT
FLIPP]S HE /OOD M ?AN F\R FEET CLE> (!
GR.D1 & 8 WEI<T1 IF ANY"O _H BE5 BOLD 5
6WEI< HM1 0 NE>LY SEV5 HUNDR$ P.DS4

  ,HE 0 SC>R$ ALL OV] )! M>KS ( SAVAGE
FI<TS1 B HE 0 ALW R1DY = J "O FI<T M4 ,HE
WD PUT 8 H1D ON "O SIDE1 Z ?\< HE 7 AFRAID
6LOOK 8 5EMY 9 ! FACE2 !N HE WD %OOT X \ L
LI<TN+1 & :5 ! BIG TEE? 7 FIRMLY FIX$ ON !
O!R S1L'S NECK1 ! O!R S1L MI<T GET AWAY IF
HE CD1 B ,SEA ,CAT* WD N HELP HM4 ,YET
,SEA ,CAT* N"E *AS$ A B1T5 S1L1 = T 0 AG/
! ,RULES (! ,B1*4 ,HE ONLY WANT$ ROOM 0!
SEA = 8 NURS]Y4 ,B Z "! 7 =TY OR FIFTY
?\S& O!R S1LS HUNT+ =! SAME ?+ EA* SPR+1 !
:I/L+1 BELL[+1 RO>+1 & BL[+ ON ! B1* 0
"S?+ F"R;L4                           

  ,F A LL HILL CALL$ ,HUT*9SON'S ,HILL1 Y
CD LOOK OV] ?REE &A HALF MILES ( GR.D
COV]$ ) FI<T+ S1LS2 &! SURF 0 DOTT$ ALL
OV] )! H1DS ( S1LS HURRY+ 6L& & 2G9 _! %>E
(! FI<T+4 ,!Y F"\ 9 ! BR1K]S1 !Y F"\ 9 !
S&1 & !Y F"\ ON ! SMOO?-WORN BASALT ROCKS
(! NURS]IES1 = !Y 7 J Z /UPID &
UNA3OMMODAT+ Z M54

  ,_! WIVES N"E CAME 6! ISL& UNTIL LATE 9
,MAY OR E>LY 9 ,JUNE1 = !Y DID N C>E 6BE
TORN 6PIECES2 &! "Y TWO-1 ?REE-1 & F\R-
YE>-OLD S1LS :O _H N 2GUN H\SEKEEP+ W5T
9L& AB HALF A MILE "? ! RANKS (! FI<T]S &
PLAY$ AB ON ! S& DUNES 9 DROVES & LEGIONS1
& RU2$ (F E S+LE GRE5 ?+ T GREW4 ,!Y 7
CALL$ ! HOLLUS*ICKIE- ! BA*ELORS- & "! 7
P]H TWO OR ?REE HUNDR$ ?\S& ( !M AT
,NOVA/O%NAH AL"O4

  ,SEA ,CAT* _H J F9I%$ 8 =TY-FIF? FI<T "O
SPR+ :5 ,MATKAH1 8 S(T1 SLEEK1 G5TLE-EY$
WIFE1 CAME UP \ (! SEA1 & HE CAU<T H] 0!
SCRUFF (! NECK & DUMP$ H] D[N ON 8
RES]V,N1 SAY+ GRU6LY3 8,LATE Z USUAL4 ,":
H Y BE580

  ,X 0 N ! FA%ION = ,SEA ,CAT* 6EAT   
ANY?+ DUR+ ! F\R MON?S HE /AY$ ON ! B1*ES1
& S 8 TEMP] 0 G5],Y BAD4 ,MATKAH KNEW
BETT] ?AN 6ANSW] BACK4 ,%E LOOK$ R.D &
COO$3 8,H[ ?"\;L ( Y4 ,Y'VE TAK5 ! OLD
PLACE AG40

  8,I %D ?9K ,I _H10 SD ,SEA ,CAT*4 8,LOOK
AT ME60

  ,HE 0 SCRAT*$ & BLE$+ 9 TW5TY PLACES2 "O
EYE 0 ALM \1 & 8 SIDES 7 TORN 6RI2ONS4

  8,OH1 Y M51 Y M560 ,MATKAH SD1 FANN+ H]F
) H] H9D FLIPP]4 8,:Y C'T Y 2 S5SI# &
SETTLE YR PLACES QUIETLY8 ,Y LOOK Z ?\< Y
_H BE5 FI<T+ )! ,KILL] ,:ALE40

  8,I HAV5'T BE5 DO+ ANY?+ B FI<T S9CE !
MI4LE ( ,MAY4 ,! B1* IS 4GRACE;LLY CR[D$ ?
S1SON4 ,I'VE MET AT L1/ A HUNDR$ S1LS F
,LUKANNON ,B1*1 H\SE HUNT+4 ,:Y C'T P /AY
": !Y 2L;G80

  8,I'VE (T5 ?"\ WE %D 2 M* HAPPI] IF WE
HAUL$ \ AT ,OTT] ,ISL& 9/1D ( ? CR[D$
PLACE10 SD ,MATKAH4

  8,BAH6 ,ONLY ! HOLLUS*ICKIE G 6,OTT]
,ISL&4 ,IF WE W5T "! !Y WD SAY WE 7
AFRAID4 ,WE M/ PRES]VE APPE>.ES1 MY DE>40

  ,SEA ,CAT* SUNK 8 H1D PR\DLY 2T 8   
FAT %\LD]S & PRET5D$ 6G 6SLEEP =A FEW
M9UTES1 B ALL ! "T HE 0 KEEP+ A %>P LOOK\T
=A FI<T4 ,N[ T ALL ! S1LS & _! WIVES 7 ON
! L&1 Y CD HE> _! CLAMOR MILES \ 6SEA ABV
! L\DE/ GALES4 ,AT ! L[E/ C.T+ "! 7 OV] A
MILLION S1LS ON ! B1*- OLD S1LS1 "M S1LS1
T9Y BABIES1 & HOLLUS*ICKIE1 FI<T+1 SCU6L+1
BL1T+1 CRAWL+1 & PLAY+ TGR- GO+ D[N 6! SEA
& -+ UP F X 9 GANGS & REGI;TS1 LY+ OV] E
FOOT ( GR.D Z F> Z ! EYE CD R1*1 &
SKIRMI%+ AB 9 BRIGADES "? ! FOG4 ,X IS
NE>LY ALW FO7Y AT ,NOVA/O%NAH1 EXCEPT :5 !
SUN -ES \ & MAKES "EY?+ LOOK ALL PE>LY &
RA9B[-COLOR$ =A LL :ILE4

  ,KOTICK1 ,MATKAH'S BABY1 0 BORN 9 !
MI4LE ( T 3FU.N1 & HE 0 ALL H1D & %\LD]S1
) PALE1 WAT]Y BLUE EYES1 Z T9Y S1LS M/ BE1
B "! 0 "S?+ AB 8 COAT T MADE 8 "M LOOK AT
HM V CLOSELY4

  8,SEA ,CAT*10 %E SD1 AT LA/1 8\R BABY'S
GO+ 6BE :ITE60

  8,EMPTY CLAM%ELLS & DRY S1WE$60 SNORT$
,SEA ,CAT*4 8,"! N"E HAS BE5 S* A ?+ 9 !
_W Z A :ITE S1L40

  8,I C'T HELP T10 SD ,MATKAH2        
8"!'S GO+ 6BE N[40 ,& %E SANG ! L[1 CROON+
S1L S;G T ALL ! "M S1LS S+ 6_! BABIES3

,Y M/N'T SWIM TILL Y'RE SIX WEEKS OLD1
,OR YR H1D W 2 SUNK 0YR HEELS2
,& SUMM] GALES & ,KILL] ,:ALES
,>E BAD = BABY S1LS4

,>E BAD = BABY S1LS1 DE> RAT1
,Z BAD Z BAD C BE2
,B SPLA% & GR[ /R;G1
,& Y C'T 2 WR;G4


             ,* (! ,OP5 ,SEA6


  ,( C\RSE ! LL FELL[ DID N "U/& ! ^WS AT
F/4 ,HE PA4L$ & SCRAM#D AB 0HIS "M'S SIDE1
& LE>N$ 6SCU6LE \ (! WAY :5 8 "F 0 FI<T+ )
ANO!R S1L1 &! TWO ROLL$ & RO>$ UP & D[N !
SLIPP]Y ROCKS4 ,MATKAH US$ 6G 6SEA 6GET
?+S 6EAT1 &! BABY 0 F$ ONLY ONCE 9 TWO
"DS1 B !N HE ATE ALL HE CD & ?ROVE ^U X4

  ,! F/ ?+ HE DID 0 6CRAWL 9L&1 & "! HE
MET T5S ( ?\S&S ( BABIES ( 8 [N AGE1 & !Y
PLAY$ TGR L PUPPIES1 W5T 6SLEEP ON    
! CL1N S&1 & PLAY$ AG4

  ,! OLD P 9 ! NURS]IES TOOK NO NOTICE (
!M1 &! HOLLUS*ICKIE KEPT 6_! [N GR.DS1 &!
BABIES _H A B1UTI;L PLAY"T4 ,:5 ,MATKAH
CAME BACK F H] DEEP-SEA FI%+ %E WD G
/RAI<T 6_! PLAYGR.D & CALL Z A %EEP CALLS
=A LAMB1 & WAIT UNTIL %E HE>D ,KOTICK
BL1T4 ,!N %E WD TAKE ! /RAI<TE/ ( /RAI<T
L9ES 9 8 DIREC;N1 /RIK+ \ ) H] =EFLIPP]S &
KNOCK+ ! "Y/]S H1D OV] HEELS "R & LEFT4
,"! 7 ALW A FEW HUNDR$ "MS HUNT+ = _! *N
"? ! PLAYGR.DS1 &! BABIES 7 KEPT LIVELY4
,B1 Z ,MATKAH TOLD ,KOTICK1 8,S L;G Z Y
DON'T LIE 9 MU4Y WAT] & GET MANGE1 OR RUB
! H>D S& 96A CUT OR SCRAT*1 & S L;G Z Y
N"E G SWIMM+ :5 "! IS A H1VY SEA1 NO?+ W
HURT Y "H40

  ,LL S1LS C NO M SWIM ?AN LL *N1 B !Y >E
UNHAPPY TILL !Y LE>N4 ,! F/ "T T ,KOTICK
W5T D[N 6! SEA A WAVE C>RI$ HM \ 2Y 8
DEP?1 & 8 BIG H1D SANK & 8 LL H9D FLIPP]S
FLEW UP EXACTLY Z 8 "M _H TOLD HM 9 ! S;G1
& IF ! NEXT WAVE _H N ?R[N HM BACK AG HE
WD H DR[N$4 ,AF T1 HE LE>N$ 6LIE 9 A B1*
POOL & LET ! WA% (! WAVES J COV] HM   
& LIFT HM UP :ILE HE PA4L$1 B HE ALW KEPT
8 EYE OP5 = BIG WAVES T MI<T HURT4

  ,HE 0 TWO WEEKS LE>N+ 6USE 8 FLIPP]S2 &
ALL T :ILE HE FL.D]$ 9 & \ (! WAT]1 & C\<$
& GRUNT$ & CRAWL$ UP ! B1* & TOOK CATNAPS
ON ! S&1 & W5T BACK AG1 UNTIL AT LA/ HE
F.D T HE TRULY 2L;G$ 6! WAT]4 ,!N Y C
IMAG9E ! "TS T HE _H ) 8 -PANIONS1 DUCK+
"U ! ROLL]S2 OR -+ 9 ON TOP (A -B] & L&+ )
A SWA% &A SPLUTT] Z ! BIG WAVE W5T :IRL+
F> UP ! B1*2 OR /&+ UP ON 8 TAIL & SCRAT*+
8 H1D Z ! OLD P DID2 OR PLAY+ 8,I'M ! ,K+
(! ,CA/LE0 ON SLIPP]Y1 WE$Y ROCKS T J /UCK
\ (! WA%4

  ,N[ & !N HE WD SEE A ?9 F91 L A BIG
%>K'S F91 DRIFT+ AL;G CLOSE 6%ORE1 & HE
KNEW T T 0 ! ,KILL] ,:ALE1 ! ,GRAMPUS1 :O
EATS "Y S1LS :5 HE C GET !M2 & ,KOTICK WD
H1D =! B1* L AN >R[1 &! F9 WD JIG (F
SL[LY1 Z IF X 7 LOOK+ = NO?+ AT ALL4

  ,LATE 9 ,OCTOB] ! S1LS 2GAN 6L1VE ,/4
,PAUL'S =! DEEP SEA1 0FAMILIES & TRIBES1 &
"! 0 NO M FI<T+ OV] ! NURS]IES1 &!
HOLLUS*ICKIE PLAY$ ANY": !Y LIK$4 8,NEXT
YE>10 SD ,MATKAH 6,KOTICK1 8Y W 2 A   
HOLLUS*ICKIE2 B ? YE> Y M/ LE>N H[ 6CAT*
FI%40

  ,!Y SET \ TGR ACR ! ,PACIFIC1 & ,MATKAH
%[$ ,KOTICK H[ 6SLEEP ON 8 BACK ) 8
FLIPP]S TUCK$ D[N 0HIS SIDE & 8 LL NOSE J
\ (! WAT]4 ,NO CRADLE IS S -=TA# Z ! L;G1
ROCK+ SWELL (! ,PACIFIC4 ,:5 ,KOTICK FELT
8 SK9 T+LE ALL OV]1 ,MATKAH TOLD HM HE 0
LE>N+ ! 8FEEL (! WAT]10 & T T+LY1 PRICKLY
FEEL+S M1NT BAD W1!R -+1 & HE M/ SWIM H>D
& GET AWAY4

  8,IN A LL "T10 %E SD1 8Y'LL "K ": 6SWIM
TO1 B J N[ WE'LL FOLL[ ,SEA ,PIG1 = HE IS
V WISE40 ,A S*OOL ( PORPOISES 7 DUCK+ &
TE>+ "? ! WAT]1 & LL ,KOTICK FOLL[$ !M Z
FA/ Z HE CD4 8,H[ D Y "K ": 6G TO80 HE
PANT$4 ,! L1D] (! S*OOL ROLL$ 8 :ITE EYE &
DUCK$ "U4 8,MY TAIL T+LES1 "Y/]10 HE SD4
8,T M1NS "!'S A GALE 2H ME4 ,-E AL;G6 ,:5
Y'RE S\? (! ,/ICKY ,WAT] ,7HE M1NT !
,EQUATOR7' & YR TAIL T+LES1 T M1NS "!'S A
GALE 9 FRONT ( Y & Y M/ H1D NOR?4 ,-E
AL;G4 ,! WAT] FEELS BAD "H40

  ,? 0 "O ( V _M ?+S T ,KOTICK LE>N$1 & HE
0 ALW LE>N+4 ,MATKAH TAU<T HM         
6FOLL[ ! COD &! HALIBUT AL;G ! "USEA BANKS
& WR5* ! ROCKL+ \ ( 8 HOLE AM;G ! WE$S2 H[
6SKIRT ! WRECKS LY+ A HUNDR$ FA?OMS 2L
WAT] & D>T L A RIFLE BULLET 9 AT "O
PORTHOLE & \ AT ANO!R Z ! FI%ES RAN2 H[
6D.E ON ! TOP (! WAVES :5 ! LI<TN+ 0 RAC+
ALL OV] ! SKY1 & WAVE 8 FLIPP] POLITELY 6!
/UMPY-TAIL$ ALBATROSS &! MAN-(-W> HAWK Z
!Y W5T D[N ! W9D2 H[ 6JUMP ?REE OR F\R
FEET CLE> (! WAT] L A DOLPH91 FLIPP]S
CLOSE 6! SIDE & TAIL CURV$2 6L1VE ! FLY+
FI% AL"O 2C !Y >E ALL BONY2 6TAKE ! %\LD]
PIECE \ (A COD AT FULL SPE$ T5 FA?OMS
DEEP1 & N"E 6/OP & LOOK AT A BOAT OR A
%IP1 B "PICUL>LY A R[BOAT4 ,AT ! 5D ( SIX
MON?S :AT ,KOTICK DID N "K AB DEEP-SEA
FI%+ 0 N WOR? ! "K+4 ,& ALL T "T HE N"E
SET FLIPP] ON DRY GR.D4

  ,"O "D1 H["E1 Z HE 0 LY+ HALF ASLEEP 9 !
W>M WAT] "S": (F ! ,ISL& ( ,JUAN ,F]N&EZ1
HE FELT FA9T & LAZY ALL OV]1 J Z HUMAN P D
:5 ! ,SPR+ IS 9 _! LEGS1 & HE REMEMB]$ !
GD FIRM B1*ES ( ,NOVA/O%NAH SEV5 ?\S&
MILES AWAY1 ! GAMES 8 -PANIONS PLAY$1 !
SMELL (! S1WE$1 ! S1L RO>1 &!         
FI<T+4 ,T V M9UTE HE TURN$ NOR?1 SWIMM+
/1DILY1 & Z HE W5T ON HE MET SCORES ( 8
MATES1 ALL B.D =! SAME PLACE1 & !Y SD3
8,GREET+1 ,KOTICK6 ,? YE> WE >E ALL
HOLLUS*ICKIE1 & WE C D.E ! ,FIRE ,D.E 9 !
BR1K]S (F ,LUKANNON & PLAY ON ! NEW GRASS4
,B ": DID Y GET T COAT80

  ,KOTICK'S FUR 0 ALM PURE :ITE N[1 & ?\<
HE FELT V PR\D ( X1 HE ONLY SD1 8,SWIM
QKLY6 ,MY B"OS >E A*+ =! L&40 ,& S !Y ALL
CAME 6! B1*ES ": !Y _H BE5 BORN1 & HE>D !
OLD S1LS1 _! "FS1 FI<T+ 9 ! ROLL+ MI/4

  ,T NI<T ,KOTICK D.ED ! ,FIRE ,D.E )!
YE>L+ S1LS4 ,! SEA IS FULL ( FIRE ON SUMM]
NI<TS ALL ! WAY D[N F ,NOVA/O%NAH
6,LUKANNON1 & EA* S1L L1VES A WAKE L BURN+
OIL 2H HM &A FLAM+ FLA% :5 HE JUMPS1 &!
WAVES BR1K 9 GRT PHOSPHORESC5T /R1KS &
SWIRLS4

  ,!N !Y W5T 9L& 6! HOLLUS*ICKIE GR.DS &
ROLL$ UP & D[N 9 ! NEW WILD :1T & TOLD
/ORIES ( :AT !Y _H D"O :ILE !Y _H BE5 AT
SEA4 ,!Y TALK$ AB ! ,PACIFIC Z BOYS WD
TALK AB A WOOD T !Y _H BE5 NUTT+ IN1 & IF
ANY"O _H "U/OOD !M HE CD H G"O AWAY   
& MADE S* A *>T ( T OC1N Z N"E WAS4 ,!
?REE- & F\R-YE>-OLD HOLLUS*ICKIE ROMP$ D[N
F ,HUT*9SON'S ,HILL CRY+3 8,\ (! WAY1
"Y/]S6 ,! SEA IS DEEP & Y DON'T "K ALL T'S
9 X YET4 ,WAIT TILL Y'VE R.D$ ! ,HORN4
,HI1 Y YE>L+1 ": DID Y GET T :ITE COAT80

  8,I DIDN'T GET X10 SD ,KOTICK4 8,X
GREW40 ,& J Z HE 0 GO+ 6ROLL ! SP1K] OV]1
A C\PLE ( BLACK-HAIR$ M5 ) FLAT R$ FACES
CAME F 2H A S& DUNE1 & ,KOTICK1 :O _H N"E
SE5 A MAN 2F1 C\<$ & L[]$ 8 H1D4 ,!
HOLLUS*ICKIE J BUNDL$ (F A FEW Y>DS & SAT
/>+ /UPIDLY4 ,! M5 7 NO LESS ?AN ,K]ICK
,BOOT]91 ! *IEF (! S1L HUNT]S ON ! ISL&1 &
,PATALAMON1 8 SON4 ,!Y CAME F ! LL VILLAGE
N HALF A MILE F ! SEA NURS]IES1 & !Y 7
DECID+ :AT S1LS !Y WD DRIVE UP 6! KILL+
P5S- =! S1LS 7 DRIV5 J L %EEP- 6BE TURN$
96S1L-SK9 JACKETS LAT] ON4

  8,HO60 SD ,PATALAMON4 8,LOOK6 ,"!'S A
:ITE S1L60

  ,K]ICK ,BOOT]9 TURN$ NE>LY :ITE "U 8 OIL
& SMOKE1 = HE 0 AN ,ALEUT1 & ,ALEUTS >E N
CL1N P4 ,!N HE 2GAN 6MUTT] A PRAY]4
8,DON'T T\* HM1 ,PATALAMON4 ,"! HAS   
N"E BE5 A :ITE S1L S9CE- S9CE ,I 0 BORN4
,P]H X IS OLD ,ZAH>R('S <O/4 ,HE 0 LO/ LA/
YE> 9 ! BIG GALE40

  8,I'M N GO+ NE> HM10 SD ,PATALAMON4
8,HE'S UNLUCKY4 ,D Y RE,Y ?9K HE IS OLD
,ZAH>R( -E BACK8 ,I [E HM = "S GULLS'
E7S40

  8,DON'T LOOK AT HM10 SD ,K]ICK4 8,H1D (F
T DROVE ( F\R-YE>-OLDS4 ,! M5 "\ 6SK9 TWO
HUNDR$ TD1 B X'S ! 2G9N+ (! S1SON & !Y >E
NEW 6! "W4 ,A HUNDR$ W D4 ,QK60

  ,PATALAMON RATTL$ A PAIR ( S1L'S %\LD]
B"OS 9 FRONT (A H]D ( HOLLUS*ICKIE & !Y
/OPP$ D1D1 PU6+ & BL[+4 ,!N HE /EPP$ NE> &
! S1LS 2GAN 6MOVE1 & ,K]ICK H1D$ !M 9L&1 &
!Y N"E TRI$ 6GET BACK 6_! -PANIONS4
,HUNDR$S & HUNDR$S ( ?\S&S ( S1LS WAT*$ !M
2+ DRIV51 B !Y W5T ON PLAY+ J ! SAME4
,KOTICK 0 ! ONLY "O :O ASK$ "QS1 & N"O ( 8
-PANIONS CD TELL HM ANY?+1 EXCEPT T ! M5
ALW DROVE S1LS 9 T WAY = SIX WEEKS OR TWO
MON?S ( E YE>4

  8,I AM GO+ 6FOLL[10 HE SD1 & 8 EYES
NE>LY POPP$ \ ( 8 H1D Z HE %U6L$ AL;G 9 !
WAKE (! H]D4                          

  8,! :ITE S1L IS -+ AF U10 CRI$
,PATALAMON4 8,T'S ! F/ "T A S1L HAS "E -E
6! KILL+ GR.DS AL"O40

  8,H%6 ,DON'T LOOK 2H Y10 SD ,K]ICK4 8,X
IS ,ZAH>R('S <O/6 ,I M/ SP1K 6! PRIE/ AB
?40

  ,! 4T.E 6! KILL+ GR.DS 0 ONLY HALF A
MILE1 B X TOOK AN H\R 6COV]1 2C IF ! S1LS
W5T TOO FA/ ,K]ICK KNEW T !Y WD GET H1T$ &
!N _! FUR WD -E (F 9 PAT*ES :5 !Y 7 SK9N$4
,S !Y W5T ON V SL[LY1 PA/ ,SEA ,LION'S
,NECK1 PA/ ,WEB/] ,H\SE1 TILL !Y CAME 6!
,SALT ,H\SE J 2Y ! SI<T (! S1LS ON ! B1*4
,KOTICK FOLL[$1 PANT+ & WOND]+4 ,HE ?"\ T
HE 0 AT ! _W'S 5D1 B ! RO> (! S1L NURS]IES
2H HM S.D$ Z L\D Z ! RO> (A TRA9 9 A
TUNNEL4

  ,!N ,K]ICK SAT D[N ON ! MOSS & PULL$ \ A
H1VY PEWT] WAT* & LET ! DROVE COOL (F =
?IRTY M9UTES1 & ,KOTICK CD HE> ! FOG DEW
DRIPP+ (F ! BRIM ( 8 CAP4 ,!N T5 OR TWELVE
M51 EA* ) AN IRONB.D CLUB ?REE OR F\R FEET
L;G1 CAME UP1 & ,K]ICK PO9T$ \ "O OR TWO (
! DROVE T 7 BITT5 0_! -PANIONS OR TOO HOT1
&! M5 KICK$ ^? ASIDE ) _! H1VY        
BOOTS MADE (! SK9 (A WALRUS'S ?ROAT1 & !N
,K]ICK SD1 8,LET G60 & !N ! M5 CLU2$ !
S1LS ON ! H1D Z FA/ Z !Y CD4

  ,T5 M9UTES LAT] LL ,KOTICK DID N
RECOGNIZE 8 FRS ANY M1 = _! SK9S 7 RIPP$
(F F ! NOSE 6! H9D FLIPP]S1 :IPP$ (F &
?R[N D[N ON ! GR.D 9 A PILE4 ,T 0 5 =
,KOTICK4 ,HE TURN$ & GALLOP$ 7A S1L C
GALLOP V SWIFTLY =A %ORT "T7 BACK 6! SEA2
8 LL NEW MU/A*E BRI/L+ ) HORROR4 ,AT ,SEA
,LION'S ,NECK1 ": ! GRT SEA LIONS SIT ON !
$GE (! SURF1 HE FLUNG HMF FLIPP]-OV]H1D
96! COOL WAT] & ROCK$ "!1 GASP+ MIS]ABLY4

  8,:AT'S "H80 SD A SEA LION GRU6LY1 = Z A
RULE ! SEA LIONS KEEP !MVS 6!MVS4

  8,SCOO*NIE6 ,O*5 SCOO*NIE60 78,I'M
L"O"S1 V L"O"S607 SD ,KOTICK4 8,!Y'RE
KILL+ ALL ! HOLLUS*ICKIE ON ALL ! B1*ES60

  ,! ,SEA ,LION TURN$ 8 H1D 9%ORE4
8,NONS5SE60 HE SD4 8,YR FRS >E MAK+ Z M*
NOISE Z "E4 ,Y M/ H SE5 OLD ,K]ICK POLI%+
(F A DROVE4 ,HE'S D"O T = ?IRTY YE>S40

  8,X'S HORRI#10 SD ,KOTICK1 BACK+ WAT] Z
A WAVE W5T OV] HM1 & /1DY+ HMF )A SCREW
/ROKE ( 8 FLIPP]S T BR"\ HM ALL /&+   
)9 ?REE 9*ES (A JA7$ $GE ( ROCK4

  8,WELL D"O =A YE>L+60 SD ! ,SEA ,LION1
:O CD APPRECIATE GD SWIMM+4 8,I SUPPOSE X
IS R AW;L F YR WAY ( LOOK+ AT X1 B IF Y
S1LS W -E "H YE> AF YE>1 ( C\RSE ! M5 GET
6"K ( X1 & UN.S Y C F9D AN ISL& ": NO M5
"E -E Y W ALW 2 DRIV540

  8,ISN'T "! ANY S* ISL&80 2GAN ,KOTICK4

  8,I'VE FOLL[$ ! POLTOOS ,7! HALIBUT7' =
TW5TY YE>S1 & ,I C'T SAY ,I'VE F.D X YET4
,B LOOK "H- Y SEEM 6H A FOND;S = TALK+ 6YR
BETT]S- SUPPOSE Y G 6,WALRUS ,ISLET & TALK
6,SEA ,VIT*4 ,HE MAY "K "S?+4 ,DON'T
FL\NCE (F L T4 ,X'S A SIX-MILE SWIM1 & IF
,I 7 Y ,I %D HAUL \ & TAKE A NAP F/1 LL
"O40

  ,KOTICK ?"\ T T 0 GD ADVICE1 S HE SWAM
R.D 6HIS [N B1*1 HAUL$ \1 & SLEPT = HALF
AN H\R1 TWIT*+ ALL OV]1 Z S1LS W4 ,!N HE
H1D$ /RAI<T = ,WALRUS ,ISLET1 A LL L[ %EET
( ROCKY ISL& ALM DUE NOR?EA/ F
,NOVA/O%NAH1 ALL L$GES & ROCK & GULLS'
NE/S1 ": ! WALRUS H]D$ 0!MVS4

  ,HE L&$ CLOSE 6OLD ,SEA ,VIT*- ! BIG1
UGLY1 BLOAT$1 PIMPL$1 FAT-NECK$1      
L;G-TUSK$ WALRUS (! ,NOR? ,PACIFIC1 :O HAS
NO MANN]S EXCEPT :5 HE IS ASLEEP- Z HE 0
!N- ) 8 H9D FLIPP]S HALF 9 & HALF \ (!
SURF4

  8,WAKE UP60 B>K$ ,KOTICK1 =! GULLS 7
MAK+ A GRT NOISE4

  8,HAH6 ,HO6 ,HMPH6 ,:AT'S T80 SD ,SEA
,VIT*1 & HE /RUCK ! NEXT WALRUS A BL[ ) 8
TUSKS & WAK$ HM UP1 &! NEXT /RUCK ! NEXT1
& S ON TILL !Y 7 ALL AWAKE & />+ 9 E
DIREC;N B ! "R "O4

  8,HI6 ,X'S ME10 SD ,KOTICK1 BO2+ 9 !
SURF & LOOK+ L A LL :ITE SLUG4

  8,WELL6 ,MAY ,I BE- SK9N$60 SD ,SEA
,VIT*1 & !Y ALL LOOK$ AT ,KOTICK Z Y C
FANCY A CLUB FULL ( DR[SY OLD G5TLEM5 WD
LOOK AT A LL BOY4

  ,KOTICK DID N C>E 6HE> ANY M AB SK9N+ J
!N2 HE _H SE5 5 ( X4 ,S HE CALL$ \3
8,ISN'T "! ANY PLACE = S1LS 6G ": M5 DON'T
"E -E80

  8,G & F9D \10 SD ,SEA ,VIT*1 %UTT+ 8
EYES4 8,RUN AWAY4 ,WE'RE BUSY "H40

  ,KOTICK MADE 8 DOLPH9-JUMP 9 ! AIR &
%\T$ Z L\D Z HE CD3 8,CLAM-EAT]6      
,CLAM-EAT]60 ,HE KNEW T ,SEA ,VIT* N"E
CAU<T A FI% 9 8 LIFE B ALW ROOT$ = CLAMS &
S1WE$2 ?\< HE PRET5D$ 6BE A V T]RI# P]SON4
,NATUR,Y ! ,*ICKIES &! ,GOOV]OOSKIES &!
,EPATKAS- ! ,BURGOMA/] GULLS &!
,KITTIWAKES &! ,PU69S1 :O >E ALW LOOK+ =A
*.E 6BE RUDE1 TOOK UP ! CRY1 &- S ,LIMM]%9
TOLD ME- = NE>LY FIVE M9UTES Y CD N H HE>D
A GUN FIR$ ON ,WALRUS ,ISLET4 ,ALL !
POPUL,N 0 YELL+ & SCR1M+ 8,CLAM-EAT]6
,/>EEK ,7OLD MAN7'60 :ILE ,SEA ,VIT* ROLL$
F SIDE 6SIDE GRUNT+ & C\<+4

  8,N[ W Y TELL80 SD ,KOTICK1 ALL \ (
BR1?4

  8,G & ASK ,SEA ,C[10 SD ,SEA ,VIT*4 8,IF
HE IS LIV+ /1 HE'LL 2 A# 6TELL Y40

  8,H[ % ,I "K ,SEA ,C[ :5 ,I MEET HM80 SD
,KOTICK1 %E]+ (F4

  8,HE'S ! ONLY ?+ 9 ! SEA UGLI] ?AN ,SEA
,VIT*10 SCR1M$ A ,BURGOMA/] GULL1 :EEL+ "U
,SEA ,VIT*'S NOSE4 8,UGLI]1 &) WORSE
MANN]S6 ,/>EEK60

  ,KOTICK SWAM BACK 6,NOVA/O%NAH1 L1V+ !
GULLS 6SCR1M4 ,"! HE F.D T NO "O SYMPA?IZ$
) HM 9 8 LL ATTEMPT 64COV] A QUIET    
PLACE =! S1LS4 ,!Y TOLD HM T M5 _H ALW
DRIV5 ! HOLLUS*ICKIE- X 0 "P (! "D'S "W- &
T IF HE DID N L 6SEE UGLY ?+S HE %D N H
G"O 6! KILL+ GR.DS4 ,B N"O (! O!R S1LS _H
SE5 ! KILL+1 & T MADE ! DI6];E 2T HM & 8
FRS4 ,2SS1 ,KOTICK 0 A :ITE S1L4

  8,:AT Y M/ D10 SD OLD ,SEA ,CAT*1 AF HE
_H HE>D 8 SON'S ADV5TURES1 8IS 6GR[ UP & 2
A BIG S1L L YR "F1 & H A NURS]Y ON ! B1*1
& !N !Y W L1VE Y AL"O4 ,9 ANO!R FIVE YE>S
Y "\ 6BE A# 6FI<T = YRF40 ,EV5 G5TLE
,MATKAH1 8 "M1 SD3 8,Y W N"E 2 A# 6/OP !
KILL+4 ,G & PLAY 9 ! SEA1 ,KOTICK40 ,&
,KOTICK W5T (F & D.ED ! ,FIRE ,D.E )A V
H1VY LL HE>T4

  ,T AUTUMN HE LEFT ! B1* Z SOON Z HE CD1
& SET (F AL"O 2C (A NO;N 9 8 BULLETH1D4
,HE 0 GO+ 6F9D ,SEA ,C[1 IF "! 0 S* A
P]SON 9 ! SEA1 & HE 0 GO+ 6F9D A QUIET
ISL& ) GD FIRM B1*ES = S1LS 6LIVE ON1 ":
M5 CD N GET AT !M4 ,S HE EXPLOR$ & EXPLOR$
0HMF F ! ,NOR? 6! ,S\? ,PACIFIC1 SWIMM+ Z
M* Z ?REE HUNDR$ MILES 9 A "D &A NI<T4

  ,HE MET ) M ADV5TURES ?AN C 2 TOLD1 &
N>R[LY ESCAP$ 2+ CAU<T 0! ,BASK+      
%>K1 &! ,SPOTT$ %>K1 &! ,HAMM]H1D1 & HE
MET ALL ! UNTRU/WOR?Y RU6IANS T LOAF UP &
D[N ! S1S1 &! H1VY POLITE FI%1 &! SC>LET
SPOTT$ SCALLOPS T >E MOOR$ 9 "O PLACE =
HUNDR$S ( YE>S1 & GR[ V PR\D ( X2 B HE N"E
MET ,SEA ,C[1 & HE N"E F.D AN ISL& T HE CD
FANCY4 ,IF ! B1* 0 GD & H>D1 )A SLOPE 2H X
= S1LS 6PLAY ON1 "! 0 ALW ! SMOKE (A :AL]
ON ! HORIZON1 BOIL+ D[N BLU2]1 & ,KOTICK
KNEW :AT T M1NT4 ,OR ELSE HE CD SEE T S1LS
_H ONCE VISIT$ ! ISL& & BE5 KILL$ (F1 &
,KOTICK KNEW T ": M5 _H -E ONCE !Y WD -E
AG4

  ,HE PICK$ UP ) AN OLD /UMPY-TAIL$
ALBATROSS1 :O TOLD HM T ,K]GUEL5 ,ISL& 0 !
V PLACE = P1CE & QUIET1 & :5 ,KOTICK W5T
D[N "! HE 0 ALL B SMA%$ 6PIECES AG/ "S
WICK$ BLACK CLI6S 9 A H1VY SLEET /ORM )
LI<TN+ & ?"U4 ,YET Z HE PULL$ \ AG/ ! GALE
HE CD SEE T EV5 "! _H ONCE BE5 A S1L
NURS]Y4 ,& X 0 S 9 ALL ! O!R ISL&S T HE
VISIT$4

  ,LIMM]%9 GAVE A L;G LI/ ( !M1 = HE SD T
,KOTICK SP5T FIVE S1SONS EXPLOR+1 )A F\R
MON?S' RE/ EA* YE> AT ,NOVA/O%NAH1    
:5 ! HOLLUS*ICKIE US$ 6MAKE FUN ( HM & 8
IMAG9>Y ISL&S4 ,HE W5T 6! ,GALAPAGOS1 A
HORRID DRY PLACE ON ! ,EQUATOR1 ": HE 0
NE>LY BAK$ 6D1?2 HE W5T 6! ,GEORGIA
,ISL&S1 ! ,ORKNEYS1 ,EM]ALD ,ISL&1 ,LL
,NI<T9GALE ,ISL&1 ,G\<'S ,ISL&1 ,B\VET'S
,ISL&1 ! ,CROSSETS1 & EV5 6A LL SPECK ( AN
ISL& S\? (! ,CAPE ( ,GD ,HOPE4

  ,B "EY": ! ,P (! ,SEA TOLD HM ! SAME
?+S4 ,S1LS _H -E 6^? ISL&S ONCE ^U A "T1 B
M5 _H KILL$ !M ALL (F4 ,EV5 :5 HE SWAM
?\S&S ( MILES \ (! ,PACIFIC & GOT 6A PLACE
CALL$ ,CAPE ,CORI5TES 7T 0 :5 HE 0 -+ BACK
F ,G\<'S ,ISL&7 HE F.D A FEW HUNDR$ MANGY
S1LS ON A ROCK & !Y TOLD HM T M5 CAME "!
TOO4 ,T NE>LY BROKE 8 HE>T1 & HE H1D$ R.D
! ,HORN BACK 6HIS [N B1*ES2 & ON 8 WAY
NOR? HE HAUL$ \ ON AN ISL& FULL ( GRE5
TREES1 ": HE F.D AN OLD1 OLD S1L :O 0 DY+1
& ,KOTICK CAU<T FI% = HM & TOLD HM ALL 8
FAILURES4

  8,N[10 SD ,KOTICK1 8,I AM GO+ BACK
6,NOVA/O%NAH1 & IF ,I AM DRIV5 6! KILL+
P5S )! HOLLUS*ICKIE ,I % N C>E40

  ,! OLD S1L SD1 8,TRY ONCE M4 ,I     
AM ! LA/ (! ,LO/ ,ROOK]Y ( ,MASAFU]A1 & 9
! "DS :5 M5 KILL$ U 0! HUNDR$ ?\S& "! 0 A
/ORY ON ! B1*ES T "S "D A :ITE S1L WD -E \
(! ,NOR? & L1D ! S1L P 6A QUIET PLACE4 ,I
AM OLD1 & ,I % N"E LIVE 6SEE T "D1 B O!RS
W4 ,TRY ONCE M40

  ,& ,KOTICK CURL$ UP 8 MU/A*E 7X 0 A
B1UTY7 & SD1 8,I AM ! ONLY :ITE S1L T HAS
"E BE5 BORN ON ! B1*ES1 & ,I AM ! ONLY
S1L1 BLACK OR :ITE1 :O "E ?"\ ( LOOK+ =
NEW ISL&S40

  ,? *E]$ HM IMM5SELY2 & :5 HE CAME BACK
6,NOVA/O%NAH T SUMM]1 ,MATKAH1 8 "M1 BE7$
HM 6M>RY & SETTLE D[N1 = HE 0 NO L;G] A
HOLLUS*ICK B A FULL-GR[N SEA CAT*1 )A
CURLY :ITE MANE ON 8 %\LD]S1 Z H1VY1 Z
BIG1 & Z FI]CE Z 8 "F4

  8,GIVE ME ANO!R S1SON10 HE SD4
8,REMEMB]1 ,"M1 X IS ALW ! SEV5? WAVE T
GOES F>!/ UP ! B1*40

  ,CURI\SLY 5\<1 "! 0 ANO!R S1L :O ?"\ T
%E WD PUT (F M>RY+ TILL ! NEXT YE>1 &
,KOTICK D.ED ! ,FIRE ,D.E ) H] ALL D[N
,LUKANNON ,B1* ! NI<T 2F HE SET (F ON 8
LA/ EXPLOR,N4 ,? "T HE W5T WE/W>D1    
2C HE _H FALL5 ON ! TRAIL (A GRT %OAL (
HALIBUT1 & HE NE$$ AT L1/ "O HUNDR$ P.DS (
FI% A "D 6KEEP HM 9 GD 3DI;N4 ,HE *AS$ !M
TILL HE 0 TIR$1 & !N HE CURL$ HMF UP & W5T
6SLEEP ON ! HOLL[S (! GR.D SWELL T SETS 9
6,COPP] ,ISL&4 ,HE KNEW ! COA/ P]FECTLY
WELL1 S AB MIDNI<T1 :5 HE FELT HMF G5TLY
BUMP$ ON A WE$ B$1 HE SD1 8,H'M1 TIDE'S
RUNN+ /R;G TN10 & TURN+ OV] "U WAT] OP5$ 8
EYES SL[LY & /RET*$4 ,!N HE JUMP$ L A CAT1
= HE SAW HUGE ?+S NOS+ AB 9 ! %OAL WAT] &
BR[S+ ON ! H1VY FR+ES (! WE$S4

  8,0! ,GRT ,-B]S ( ,MAGELLAN60 HE SD1 2N
8 MU/A*E4 8,:O 9 ! ,DEEP ,SEA >E ^! P80

  ,!Y 7 L NO WALRUS1 SEA LION1 S1L1 BE>1
:ALE1 %>K1 FI%1 SQUID1 OR SCALLOP T
,KOTICK _H "E SE5 2F4 ,!Y 7 2T TW5TY &
?IRTY FEET L;G1 & !Y _H NO H9D FLIPP]S1 B
A %OVELLIKE TAIL T LOOK$ Z IF X _H BE5
:ITTL$ \ ( WET L1!R4 ,_! H1DS 7 ! MO/
FOOLI%-LOOK+ ?+S Y "E SAW1 & !Y BAL.ED ON
! 5DS ( _! TAILS 9 DEEP WAT] :5 !Y W]5'T
GRAZ+1 B[+ SOLEMNLY 6EA* O!R & WAV+ _!
FRONT FLIPP]S Z A FAT MAN WAVES 8 >M4

  8,AHEM60 SD ,KOTICK4 8,GD SPORT1    
G5TLEM580

  ,! BIG ?+S ANSW]$ 0B[+ & WAV+ _! FLIPP]S
L ! ,FROG ,FOOTMAN4 ,:5 !Y 2GAN FE$+ AG
,KOTICK SAW T _! UPP] LIP 0 SPLIT 96TWO
PIECES T !Y CD TWIT* A"P AB A FOOT & BR+
TGR AG )A :OLE BU%EL ( S1WE$ 2T ! SPLITS4
,!Y TUCK$ ! /UFF 96_! M\?S & *UMP$
SOLEMNLY4

  8,MESSY /YLE ( FE$+1 T10 SD ,KOTICK4 ,!Y
B[$ AG1 & ,KOTICK 2GAN 6LOSE 8 TEMP]4 8,V
GD10 HE SD4 8,IF Y D HAPP5 6H AN EXTRA
JO9T 9 YR FRONT FLIPP] Y NE$N'T %[ (F S4
,I SEE Y B[ GRACE;LLY1 B ,I %D L 6"K YR
"NS40

  ,! SPLIT LIPS MOV$ & TWIT*$2 &! GLASSY
GRE5 EYES />$1 B !Y DID N SP1K4

  8,WELL60 SD ,KOTICK4 8,Y'RE ! ONLY P
,I'VE "E MET UGLI] ?AN ,SEA ,VIT*- &)
WORSE MANN]S40

  ,!N HE REMEMB]$ 9 A FLA% :AT !
,BURGOMA/] GULL _H SCR1M$ 6HM :5 HE 0 A LL
YE>L+ AT ,WALRUS ,ISLET1 & HE TUM#D
BACKW>D 9 ! WAT]1 = HE KNEW T HE _H F.D
,SEA ,C[ AT LA/6 ,! SEA C[S W5T ON S*LOOP+
& GRAZ+ & *UMP+ 9 ! WE$1 & ,KOTICK    
ASK$ !M "QS 9 E LANGUAGE T HE _H PICK$ UP
9 8 TRAVELS2 &! ,SEA ,P TALK NE>LY Z _M
LANGUAGES Z HUMAN 2+S4 ,B ! SEA C[S DID N
ANSW] 2C ,SEA ,C[ _C TALK4 ,HE HAS ONLY
SIX B"OS 9 8 NECK ": HE "\ 6H SEV51 & !Y
SAY "U ! SEA T T PREV5TS HM F SP1K+ EV5
6HIS -PANIONS4 ,B1 Z Y "K1 HE HAS AN EXTRA
JO9T 9 8 =EFLIPP]1 & 0WAV+ X UP & D[N & AB
HE MAKES :AT ANSW]S 6A SORT ( CLUMSY
TELEGRAPHIC CODE4

  ,0"DLI<T ,KOTICK'S MANE 0 /&+ ON 5D & 8
TEMP] 0 G"O ": ! D1D CRABS G4 ,!N ! ,SEA
,C[ 2GAN 6TRAVEL NOR?W>D V SL[LY1 /OPP+
6HOLD ABSURD B[+ C\NCILS F "T 6"T1 &
,KOTICK FOLL[$ !M1 SAY+ 6HMF1 8,P :O >E S*
IDIOTS Z ^! >E WD H BE5 KILL$ L;G AGO IF
!Y _HN'T F.D \ "S SAFE ISL&4 ,& :AT IS GD
5 =! ,SEA ,C[ IS GD 5 =! ,SEA ,CAT*4 ,ALL
! SAME1 ,I WI% !Y'D HURRY40

  ,X 0 WE>Y "W = ,KOTICK4 ,! SEA C[S' H]D
N"E W5T M ?AN =TY OR FIFTY MILES A "D1 &
/OPP$ 6FE$ AT NI<T1 & KEPT CLOSE 6! %ORE
ALL ! "T4 ,KOTICK SWAM R.D !M1 & OV] !M1 &
"U !M1 B HE CD N HURRY !M UP "O MILE4 ,Z
!Y W5T F>!R NOR? !Y HELD A B[+        
C\NCIL E FEW H\RS1 & ,KOTICK NE>LY BIT (F
8 MU/A*E ) IMPATI;E TILL HE SAW T !Y 7
FOLL[+ UP A W>M CURR5T ( WAT]1 & !N HE
RESPECT$ !M M4

  ,"O NI<T !Y SANK "? ! %9Y WAT]- SANK L
/"OS- &=! F/ "T S9CE HE _H "KN !M 2GAN
6SWIM QKLY4 ,KOTICK FOLL[$1 &! PACE
A/ONI%$ HM1 = HE N"E DR1M$ T ,SEA ,C[ 0
ANY?+ (A SWIMM]4 ,!Y H1D$ =A CLIFF 0!
%ORE1 A CLIFF T RAN D[N 96DEEP WAT]1 &
PLUNG$ 96A D>K HOLE AT ! FOOT ( X1 TW5TY
FA?OMS "U ! SEA4 ,X 0 A L;G1 L;G SWIM1 &
,KOTICK BADLY WANT$ FRE% AIR 2F HE 0 \ (!
D>K TUNNEL !Y L$ HM "?4

  8,MY WIG60 HE SD1 :5 HE ROSE1 GASP+ &
PU6+1 96OP5 WAT] AT ! F>!R 5D4 8,X 0 A L;G
DIVE1 B X 0 WOR? X40

  ,! SEA C[S _H SEP>AT$ & 7 BR[S+ LAZILY
AL;G ! $GES (! F9E/ B1*ES T ,KOTICK _H "E
SE54 ,"! 7 L;G /RET*ES ( SMOO?-WORN ROCK
RUNN+ = MILES1 EXACTLY FITT$ 6MAKE S1L
NURS]IES1 & "! 7 PLAYGR.DS ( H>D S& SLOP+
9L& 2H !M1 & "! 7 ROLL]S = S1LS 6D.E IN1 &
L;G GRASS 6ROLL IN1 & S& DUNES 6CLIMB UP &
D[N1 &1 BE/ ( ALL1 ,KOTICK KNEW 0!    
FEEL (! WAT]1 : N"E DCVS A TRUE SEA CAT*1
T NO M5 _H "E -E "!4

  ,! F/ ?+ HE DID 0 6ASSURE HMF T ! FI%+ 0
GD1 & !N HE SWAM AL;G ! B1*ES & C.T$ UP !
DELI<T;L L[ S&Y ISL&S HALF HI45 9 !
B1UTI;L ROLL+ FOG4 ,AWAY 6! NOR?W>D1 \
6SEA1 RAN A L9E ( B>S & %OALS & ROCKS T WD
N"E LET A %IP -E )9 SIX MILES (! B1*1 & 2T
! ISL&S &! MA9L& 0 A /RET* ( DEEP WAT] T
RAN UP 6! P]P5DICUL> CLI6S1 & "S": 2L !
CLI6S 0 ! M\? (! TUNNEL4

  8,X'S ,NOVA/O%NAH OV] AG1 B T5 "TS
BETT]10 SD ,KOTICK4 8,SEA ,C[ M/ 2 WIS]
?AN ,I ?"\4 ,M5 C'T -E D[N ! CLI6S1 EV5 IF
"! 7 ANY M52 &! %OALS 6S1W>D WD KNOCK A
%IP 6SPL9T]S4 ,IF ANY PLACE 9 ! SEA IS
SAFE1 ? IS X40

  ,HE 2GAN 6?9K (! S1L HE _H LEFT 2H HM1 B
?\< HE 0 9 A HURRY 6G BACK 6,NOVA/O%NAH1
HE ?OR\<LY EXPLOR$ ! NEW C.TRY1 S T HE WD
2 A# 6ANSW] ALL "QS4

  ,!N HE DIV$ & MADE SURE (! M\? (!
TUNNEL1 & RAC$ "? 6! S\?W>D4 ,NO "O B A
SEA C[ OR A S1L WD H DR1M$ ( "! 2+ S* A
PLACE1 & :5 HE LOOK$ BACK AT !        
CLI6S EV5 ,KOTICK CD H>DLY 2LIEVE T HE _H
BE5 "!4

  ,HE 0 T5 "DS GO+ HOME1 ?\< HE 0 N SWIMM+
SL[LY2 & :5 HE HAUL$ \ J ABV ,SEA ,LION'S
,NECK ! F/ P]SON HE MET 0 ! S1L :O _H BE5
WAIT+ = HM1 & %E SAW 0! LOOK 9 8 EYES T HE
_H F.D 8 ISL& AT LA/4

  ,B ! HOLLUS*ICKIE & ,SEA ,CAT*1 8 "F1 &
ALL ! O!R S1LS LAU<$ AT HM :5 HE TOLD !M
:AT HE _H 4COV]$1 &A "Y S1L AB 8 [N AGE
SD1 8,? IS ALL V WELL1 ,KOTICK1 B Y C'T -E
F NO "O "KS ": & ORD] U (F L ?4 ,REMEMB]
WE'VE BE5 FI<T+ = \R NURS]IES1 & T'S A ?+
Y N"E DID4 ,Y PREF]R$ PR[L+ AB 9 ! SEA40
,! O!R S1LS LAU<$ AT ?1 &! "Y S1L 2GAN
TWI/+ 8 H1D F SIDE 6SIDE4 ,HE _H J M>RI$ T
YE>1 & 0 MAK+ A GRT FUSS AB X4

  8,I'VE NO NURS]Y 6FI<T =10 SD ,KOTICK4
8,I ONLY WANT 6%[ Y ALL A PLACE ": Y W 2
SAFE4 ,:AT'S ! USE ( FI<T+80

  8,OH1 IF Y'RE TRY+ 6BACK \1 ( C\RSE
,I'VE NO M 6SAY10 SD ! "Y S1L ) AN UGLY
*UCKLE4

  8,W Y -E ) ME IF ,I W980 SD ,KOTICK4 ,&A
GRE5 LI<T CAME 96HIS EYE1 = HE 0 V    
ANGRY AT HAV+ 6FI<T AT ALL4

  8,V GD10 SD ! "Y S1L C>E.SLY4 8,IF Y W91
,I'LL -E40

  ,HE _H NO "T 6*ANGE 8 M9D1 = ,KOTICK'S
H1D 0 \ & 8 TEE? SUNK 9 ! BLU2] (! "Y
S1L'S NECK4 ,!N HE ?REW HMF BACK ON 8
HAUN*ES & HAUL$ 8 5EMY D[N ! B1*1 %OOK HM1
& KNOCK$ HM OV]4 ,!N ,KOTICK RO>$ 6! S1LS3
8,I'VE D"O MY BE/ = Y ^! FIVE S1SONS PA/4
,I'VE F.D Y ! ISL& ": Y'LL 2 SAFE1 B UN.S
YR H1DS >E DRA7$ (F YR SILLY NECKS Y WON'T
2LIEVE4 ,I'M GO+ 6T1* Y N[4 ,LOOK \ =
YRVS60

  ,LIMM]%9 TOLD ME T N"E 9 8 LIFE- &
,LIMM]%9 SEES T5 ?\S& BIG S1LS FI<T+ E
YE>- N"E 9 ALL 8 LL LIFE DID HE SEE ANY?+
L ,KOTICK'S *>GE 96! NURS]IES4 ,HE FLUNG
HMF AT ! BI7E/ SEA CAT* HE CD F9D1 CAU<T
HM 0! ?ROAT1 *OK$ HM & BUMP$ HM & BANG$ HM
TILL HE GRUNT$ = M]CY1 & !N ?REW HM ASIDE
& ATTACK$ ! NEXT4 ,Y SEE1 ,KOTICK _H N"E
FA/$ = F\R MON?S Z ! BIG S1LS DID E YE>1 &
8 DEEP-SEA SWIMM+ TRIPS KEPT HM 9 P]FECT
3DI;N1 &1 BE/ ( ALL1 HE _H N"E F"\ 2F4

  ,8 CURLY :ITE MANE /OOD UP )        
RAGE1 & 8 EYES FLAM$1 & 8 BIG DOG TEE?
GLI/5$1 & HE 0 SPL5DID 6LOOK AT4 ,OLD ,SEA
,CAT*1 8 "F1 SAW HM TE>+ PA/1 HAUL+ !
GRIZZL$ OLD S1LS AB Z ?\< !Y _H BE5
HALIBUT1 & UPSETT+ ! "Y BA*ELORS 9 ALL
DIREC;NS2 & ,SEA ,CAT* GAVE A RO> & %\T$3

  8,HE MAY 2 A FOOL1 B HE IS ! BE/ FI<T]
ON ! B1*ES6 ,DON'T TACKLE YR "F1 MY SON6
,HE'S ) Y60

  ,KOTICK RO>$ 9 ANSW]1 & OLD ,SEA ,CAT*
WA4L$ 9 ) 8 MU/A*E ON 5D1 BL[+ L A
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FATT] & /R;G] EA* YE>1 :ILE ! HOLLUS*ICKIE
PLAY >.D HM1 9 T SEA ": NO MAN -ES4

