“We call it the crossing,” said Otahu. “Fetu is the greatest master of it among us. Only he is capable of the highest level of the crossing, the one you are currently experiencing: a crossing with a novice, in which the novice can converse in the new body, without losing his sense of himself, as you are doing with me. To perfect this kind of crossing takes lifetimes of discipline and devotion.”

Otahu asked the stranger his name. “My name is Captain Étienne Marchand. The name of my ship is the Solide. We come from a faraway place called France.”

Each of these words Otahu repeated like an incantation: Marchand, Solide, France.

“And how far is this island, France?”

“It isn’t an island,” replied Marchand-in-Fetu, “but one place among many, one great island divided many times over, called Europe. It is so far away that it has taken us many months to reach you, and it will take us many more months to return home.” Otahu and I were astonished at this revelation. “And what is the name of this island?” Marchand-in-Fetu asked, but all at once his face appeared startled. “How strange,” he said. “No sooner had I asked the question than its answer naturally occurred to me—Oaeetee. How is this possible?”

“While you are in the body of Fetu,” Otahu replied, “his memories and his knowledge are available to you, just as—while he is in your body—your memories and knowledge are available to him.”

“I see. And the drink—you call it kava. Is the kava the cause of the crossing?”

Otahu laughed. “The kava is for celebration, but it isn’t necessary for the purpose of crossing. The art of crossing must be learned. It takes many years. All our children receive training in it, although not all are equally gifted.” Otahu took Fetu’s right hand as an expression of friendship. “But tell me, friend, why have you come here? What are your intentions?”

“My country is exceedingly cold. We are on our way to islands far to the north of here, to barter for animal skins, and trade them when we return home, and by this means become prosperous.”

“You have come a long way, and sacrificed much. What are your intentions relating to Oaeetee, friend?”

“Everything we need, we must carry on our boat. But fresh water spoils. Meat goes bad. We were in need of water and food, and thanks to your generosity we have all the water and food we can now carry. We thank you for your welcome, and now that we have taken our fill of your hospitality, we will leave you tonight in peace, as we still have far to travel.”

“And what is the object you tied to the tree at the cove this morning when you arrived?”

“It’s a message to my countrymen,” the stranger replied, “to indicate to them that we found friends here.”

“Is it a magical object, that speaks?”