"Anthony Wall - The Eden Mission (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wall Anthony)

final words. Sea Shepherd's programme includes trying to save grey whales and
sea otters from oil pollution off California; manatees from being chopped up
by speedboat propellers in Florida's waterways; Amazon dolphins from
extermination. We have other tasks too, which I can't go into now. The six
youngsters sailing with Sea Shepherd, all keen conservationists, will make a
valuable contribution. But they'll also have to continue their school studies
..."

Someone in the audience groaned.

Ben grinned broadly. "Thank you for listening, ladies and gentlemen. Wish us
luck!"

Loud applause. Then he answered last-minute questions from journalists. The
audience--clad once more in raincoats, and clutching umbrellas--began to file
out. Parents hugged their children, whom they wouldn't see again for twelve
months, and gave good advice that would probably be forgotten or ignored.
There were some tears.

Neither Gary's nor Susan's parents were present. They had already said their
goodbyes at home and were glad to be spared emotional partings aboard Sea
Shepherd.

By now the lecture hall was empty - except for six young people, eyeing each
other somewhat warily, and the three teachers responsible for daily lessons.

Bellingham greeted them. "Welcome to the team. I know we're going to get along
fine ..."

His next words were drowned by a sudden blast from Sea Shepherd's horn. Almost
imperceptibly the ship started to move. Ben's steady gaze rested on the
group.

"Well ... this is it."

2. Shipmates

After the lecture, a tall, ferret-faced man had pushed people aside to be
first down the gangway. He didn't look like someone much concerned with
conservation. He wasn't. Sploshing through puddles, he hurried to a phone box
on the quay. He dialled a number. His boss would find the report very
interesting.

Waving parents watched Sea Shepherd glide away between lines of moored
vessels, like a guard of honour. Her bright white hull shone luminously
against sea and sky, both the same shade of grey. The teeming rain had
stopped.

Leaning on the ship's rail, Susan was surprised by a twinge of sadness--she
had nobody to wave to. Gary, sensing this, patted her on the back. Although