“This world isn’t ready for a new race,” Warren said. “We’ve got enough trouble with what we have already.”

“We’re coming up on the waterfront,” Kevin announced. “The square at the base of the pier is around the next bend.”

“Then stop here,” Jack said. “There was a soldier there when we arrived.”

Kevin pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the headlights. He kept the engine running for the air-conditioning. Jack and Warren got out the back and ran down to the corner. Carefully, they peeked around the bend.

“If our boat is not there, are there other boats around here?” Laurie asked.

“I’m afraid not,” Kevin said.

“Is there another way out of town besides the main gate?” Laurie asked.

“That’s it,” Kevin said.

“Heaven help us,” Laurie commented.

Jack and Warren came back quickly. Kevin lowered his window.

“There’s a soldier,” Jack said. “He’s none too attentive. In fact, he might even be asleep. But we’ll still have to deal with him. I think it best you all stay here.”

“Fine by me,” Kevin said. He was more than happy to leave such business up to others. If left to him, he wouldn’t have had any idea what to do.

Jack and Warren returned to the corner and disappeared.

Kevin raised his window.

Laurie looked at Natalie and shook her head. “I’m sorry about all this. I suppose I should have known. Jack seems to have a penchant for finding trouble.”

“No need to apologize,” Natalie said. “It’s certainly not your fault. Besides, things are looking a lot better than they did only fifteen or twenty minutes ago.”

Jack and Warren reappeared in a surprisingly short time. Jack was holding a handgun, while Warren was carrying an assault rifle. They got into the back of the Toyota.

“Any problem?” Kevin asked.

“Nope,” Jack said. “He was very accommodating. Of course, Warren can be very persuasive when he wants to be.”

“Does the Chickee Hut Bar have a parking area?” Warren asked.

“It does,” Kevin said.

“Drive there!” Warren said.

Kevin backed up, took a right and then the first left. At the end of the block he pulled into an expansive asphalt parking lot. The darkened Chickee Hut Bar was silhouetted ahead. Beyond the bar was the sparkling expanse of the broad estuary. Its surface shimmered in the moonlight.

Kevin drove directly up to the bar and stopped.

“You all wait here,” Warren said. “I’ll check on the boat.” He climbed out with the assault rifle and quickly disappeared around the bar.

“He moves quickly,” Melanie commented.

“You have no idea,” Jack said.

“Is that Gabon on the other side of the water?” Laurie asked.

“It sure is,” Melanie said.

“How far is it?” Jack asked.

“About four miles straight across,” Kevin said. “But we should try to get to Cocobeach. That’s about ten miles away. From there we can contact the American Embassy in Libreville who will certainly be able to help us.”