"Woods, Stuart - White Cargo" - читать интересную книгу автора (Woods Stuart)

ninety-foot gaffer that's how I got to Colombia. I know engines, and I
can even cook. There's hardly anything I can't do on a boat."

Cat nodded.

"Yeah, go on."

"Mr. Catledge, I want to get out of Colombia. This is a crazy place,
full of thieves and drugs and people who'd just as soon cut your throat
as look at you. My folks sent me the money, once, but I blew it, I was
stupid. If you'll give me a ride as far as the Canal, well, from there I
should be able to hitch a ride up the west coast of Mexico and home to
California. I know you don't know me or any thing, but I come from good
people, my dad's a dentist at home. I just sort of got off track down
here, and I'd like to get back on again. I don't have much gear, and I
don't take up much room. I promise you I'll work my tail off for you.

You won't regret taking me."

Cat looked at the boy; he seemed practically in tears. He thought about
the young man at home he hadn't been able to help, who wouldn't take his
help. He glanced over Denny's shoulder at Katie and Jinx. They both
nodded. He turned back, took the boy by the wrist, and slapped the money
into his palm.

"You'll need the money when you get to Panama, Denny, and you've got
yourself a berth."

Denny let out a shout.

"I'll send the money up to the alternator guy--my gear's up in the shed.

I won't be thirty seconds!" He leapt from the boat and ran down the
catwalk.

"Stand by to cast off," Cat called out, and the women stood by their
warps. Denny was back on board almost immediately, clutching a single
duffel. Cat put the engine in gear. When they were clear of the wharf,
he started a tight turn to bring the yacht back into open water.

"Toss your gear in the starboard pilot berth in the saloon," he said to
Denny, and the boy dived below with his duffel bag.

As they came out of the turn, they passed close by a boat of about their
size moored at the other end of the quay.

Cat heard a muffled shout from below on the other boat, and a man's head
popped up through the companionway.

They were no more than twenty feet away.