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           Ajettyonspindlingpilesdodderedliterallyhalfamileoutacrossthereefexposedbylowtide,behinditahigh,craggycoastlinewhichdidn’tfitinwithMeggie’sexpectationsoftropicalsplendor.Anelderlymanstoodwaiting,helpedherfromshiptojetty,andtookhercasesfromacrewman.

           "Howd’youdo,Mrs.O’Neill,"hegreetedher."I’mRobWalter.Hopeyourhusbandgetsthechancetocomeafterall.NottoomuchcompanyonMatlockthistimeofyear;it’sreallyawinterresort."

           Theywalkedtogetherdowntheuneasyplanking,theexposedcoralmolteninthedyingsunandthefearsomeseaareflected,tumultuousgloryofcrimsonfoam.

           "Tide’sout,oryou’dhavehadaroughertrip.Seethemistintheeast?That’stheedgeoftheGreatBarrierReefitself.HereonMatlockwehangontoitbytheskinofourteeth;you’llfeeltheislandshakingallthetimefromthepoundingoutthere."Hehelpedherintoacar."ThisisthewindwardsideofMatlock—abitwildandunwelcomelooking,eh?Butyouwaituntilyouseetheleewardside,ah!Somethinglike,itis."

           TheyhurtledwiththecarelessspeednaturaltotheonlycaronMatlockdownanarrowroadofcrunchycoralbones,throughpalmsandthickundergrowthwithatallhillrearingtooneside,perhapsfourmilesacrosstheisland’sspine.

           "Oh,howbeautiful!"saidMeggie.

           Theyhademergedonanotherroadwhichranallaroundtheloopingsandyshoresofthelagoonside,crescent-shapedandhollow.