An excerpt from Zia "To the Island of the Blue Dolphins," Mando said. "We will find Karana and bring her home." He paused and his face lighted up. "We could put a sail on the boat and sail sometimes when the wind was blowing. Then we could row when it was calm. We could do both. We could row and sail. In two days or three we would reach the island." "Maybe she is not there now," I said. "Maybe she is dead," said Mando. "Maybe wild dogs ate her up." "It is possible," I said to put an end to these thoughts. "But the white man, Captain Nidiver, saw her footsteps in the sand when he was there last year." "Why did he not follow the footsteps? That's what I would like to know." "There was a storm coming up and he feared for his boat." "I will ask Mukat and Zando about these things. Then we will know. And maybe Father Merced also. No. Not him. Father Vicente? Maybe he will come with us. It would make it easier with three of us. The I could fish while we sailed along. It would be easier even if I did not fish. But I am afraid of what Father Merced will say. Likewise Father Vicente. They may not allow us to go." I felt angry. "We will go anyway, whatever is said. We are not chained to the earth. We have a boat and oars and an anchor. What are they for? They belong to us. To go out in San Felipe lagoon, is that what they are meant for?" From the Trade Paperback edition. Excerpted from Zia by Scott O'Dell All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
