He and his father had spent many a Sunday afternoon there and once they had flown from La Guardia to Florida to spend the Christmas vacation with his mother’s sister. Only once, though, had he been lucky enough to catch a flying boat taking off from the bay bound on a long journey across the ocean. He’d never forget that great silver bird streaking down the channel, leaving a white, rolling wake behind.

“I believe this seat is mine?” a voice with a decidedly foreign accent asked. Alec turned and stared at the man standing in the aisle. He was a short man with tremendous shoulders and a bull neck. His face, so dark that it was almost black, was round and deeply furrowed. Small gray eyes squinted from sunken black pits that wrinkled at the corners as though he had spent much time in the bright sun.

He had removed his hat and was wiping his bald head with a purple handkerchief. It was then that Alec noticed the left sleeve hanging empty beside him. Alec felt a surge of pity go through him. Instinctively he had taken a dislike to the man’s looks, but the thought of going through life with only one arm made him feel sorry for him. He jumped to his feet and removed the newspapers and magazines that he had left on the unoccupied seat. “Here, sir,” he said, moving closer to the window to give the stranger more room.

Nodding, the man carefully lowered his heavy body into the seat. After he had settled himself he looked directly at Mr. Volence and said, “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ibn al Khaldun.” He smiled and his mouth was toothless.

Mr. Volence acknowledged the introduction and then presented Henry and Alec. When Alec grasped the pudgy hand he found it cold and clammy.

The plane’s engines were revved up and Alec heard the men on the ramp removing the cables which held the ship. Forgetting the stranger beside him, he said to Henry excitedly, “This is it!” Then he pushed his face up against the window.

As the plane began to move, the steward said, “Please make certain all seat belts are securely fastened.” Alec checked his, and then noticed that Ibn al Khaldun was attempting to fasten his belt with one hand. “Here, sir,” he said, “let me help you.”

Perspiration ran down in rivulets on the man’s fat face. “Thank you, no,” and he grinned. “It isn’t necessary. You see, one gets accustomed to accomplishing many feats with one hand … when he has only one.” Snapping the belt, he leaned back in the seat, and closed his eyes.

The silver plane taxied away from the ramp, and Alec was able to see his mother and father still standing on the observation deck. He waved, but realized they weren’t able to see him. The plane turned and headed across the bay toward the channel. As the figures of his parents faded from view, Alec felt a wave of homesickness come over him. He watched the water swish by and thought how much he’d miss his mother and father.

The sudden splash of mounting water against the window startled Alec. The plane’s engines had risen to a mighty roar. Suddenly he realized that they were in the channel and taking off! Alec watched the landscape on the other side of the water speed past with lightning swiftness. Faster and faster they went until white foam completely blocked his vision and he could no longer see even the large wing or pontoon.

Mr. Volence watched Alec’s tense face and smiled.