“It’ll be clear in a few minutes,” he assured him. “The steward told me that we have a capacity load and that requires a long run. Remember, too, that a baby like this carries around four thousand gallons of gas.”

“Gee, it’s a wonder they ever get off,” Alec said, watching the water cascade down the window. “It’s like being under a waterfall.”

The engines roared to a new, higher pitch and suddenly the window cleared. Alec watched as the silver hull broke away from the water. “We’re off!” he yelled. The fat figure of Ibn al Khaldun stirred at the sound of Alec’s voice. His beady eyes opened, turned toward Alec, and then closed again.

The plane began a gradual ascent. Below, Alec could see the Administration Building, La Guardia Airport, and not far away, Flushing. He looked for his house and found it. The plane circled and then headed out over Long Island and toward the sea, its silver wings shining in the early morning sun.

The next few hours passed quickly, and before Alec knew it the steward was serving lunch. They were well out of sight of land and headed south for their first stop which, he had been told by Mr. Volence, would be Port of Spain, Trinidad. They would spend the night there and the next day take off for Natal, Brazil, the last stop before they flew over the Atlantic to Africa.

Alec looked across at Henry, and knew from the intense expression on his face that he was enjoying the trip as much as he. Mr. Volence was busy eating his cold ham and potato salad while attempting to read his magazine. Ibn al Khaldun had not desired any lunch and was again sleeping. Deep, guttural snores escaped from his throat. Alec finished eating and turned to the window.

They were over the Gulf Stream and the water was a deep azure blue. Soft wisps of clouds passed between them and the ocean below, and the steady hum of the engines made Alec sleepy. He looked forward at the two propellers on his side flashing in the sun, and the long wing extending far out to one side. He closed his eyes and let his head rest against the back of his seat. A few minutes later he was asleep.

The sun was low over the water when he awakened. Sleepily, he opened his eyes and found Henry and Mr. Volence smiling at him.

“Good nap?” Mr. Volence inquired.

“Gee, yes,” Alec replied. “It must have been a long one, too!”

Henry snorted. “It surely was. Say, maybe about three hours.”

Alec looked out the window and, glancing down, saw small submerged beds of coral under the water. “Coral reefs,” he said.