Chapter 7

Chapter 7 "Better slip one of those on," Walker said when they were aboard. He pointed at orange life jackets hanging on a row of pegs. The kids climbed into the bulky vests and sat on benches. Walker started the motor, and the small boat moved away from the dock. "It'll be about an hour before we get to my pots," Walker hollered over the roar of the engine. "Get comfortable!" Ruth Rose and Josh curled up on the benches, but Dink sat up. He didn't want to miss a thing. He could smell the lobster bait. Waves slapped

against the hull as they chugged through the black water. Dink watched the glow of morning color the horizon pale yellow. It made him remember the light he'd seen last night. Did the light have anything to do with the strange noises or the two green feathers? The boat's gentle rocking made Dink feel sleepy. He closed his eyes. Then Walker was shaking him. Dink sat up and squinted into sunlight. The waves rocked the boat back and forth. When Dink stood, he nearly lost his balance. "Where are we?" he asked. "About five miles out," Walker said. "Wake up Ruth Rose and Josh, and we'll eat." They sat in a patch of sunlight. Breakfast was peanut butter sandwiches and hot, milky cocoa from Walker's thermos. Dink saw other boats in the distance. "Are those all lobster boats?" Walker nodded. "Most of them are. A few fishing boats are out, too." Josh looked over the side. "How do you catch the lobsters?" he asked.

Walker pointed to a machine. "That winch brings them up. I'll show you how it works." Walker picked up a long pole with a hook on one end. He used it to grab the rope attached to a marker buoy. He snagged the rope onto the winch, pushed a button, and wet rope began whistling up out of the water. Fast! A few seconds later a lobster pot surfaced on the other end of the rope. Wearing a rubber apron and gloves, Walker dragged it into the boat. The wooden trap was covered with seaweed. A few small crabs scampered out onto the deck. "Let's see what we've got," Walker said, dropping the crabs back into the sea. Walker opened the pot's small door and reached in a gloved hand. He pulled out a wet, dark green lobster. The lobster waved its claws angrily. "Those claws can break a finger," Walker warned. He snapped two thick rubber bands onto the lobster's front claws. Then he dropped the lobster into a tank of sea water. "Josh, get the bait, will you?" Josh dragged the heavy pail over. Walker pulled out a huge fish head. "Oh, phew!" Josh said. "That's gross!"

"The lobsters don't mind," Walker said, dropping the fish head into the lobster pot. He fastened the door and shoved the trap back into the water. "That's pretty much how it's done," Walker said, slapping water off his gloves. "Can we pull another one?" Dink asked. "Sure, and you guys can help. Grab some gloves out of that locker." Ruth Rose brought out three pairs of thick rubber gloves. Walker winched up another pot and

held a wiggling lobster out to Josh. "Hold him by the back so he can't reach you with his claws." Josh held the lobster with both gloved hands. Ruth Rose and Dink snapped rubber bands onto the claws. "Who wants to put bait in the pot?" Walker asked, grinning. Dink volunteered while Josh faked gagging noises. Dink stuck his hand into the bait bucket, then dropped a bloody fish head into the lobster pot. The morning grew warm, so the kids stripped off their sweatshirts. The ocean was calm. Sea gulls soared overhead, watching for scraps. "Look, there's Rip," Walker said. Rip pulled his boat up next to Lady Luck. When the boats were side by side, Rip tossed a line to Dink. "How's it going?" Rip asked. He was wearing clean jeans and a T-shirt. He held a coffee mug in one hand. "We got a few," Walker said. "My crew here was a big help." "Are you going lobstering?" Josh asked.

Rip shook his head and flashed a grin. "Not today kiddo. Just came out to check my buoys. Toss me the line, okay?" Dink tossed his end of the rope toward the other boat. Rip caught it in his free hand. "Have a good day!" he yelled as he pulled away. "Anyone want more cocoa?" Walker asked. "I do," Josh said. Dink turned around and saw something on Lady Luck's deck. It was a bright green feather.