Chapter 17

The stowaways

Kai thought she heard someone sneezing; she called out who's there? And she cautiously moved farther down the steps, still nervously calling out 'Who's there? I know your in there I heard you sneezing.' Then she heard someone cover another sneeze followed by someone saying shush in a whisper. Kai realised they must be children as they sounded young and this time she changed her irritated sounding voice to a much kinder voice, 'Come on out I am not going to by angry!'
First the older child came out from where he was hiding under some materials from the sawing hut that was there as sleeping quarters and another child who was hiding behind the older boy so that Kai could not see who he was. Then there was a female who was slightly older than the kid hiding behind the older child and younger than the older braver child. Kai recognised the older boy who always played with her son Bobo and the female who was Tuna's daughter and she guessed the one who was hiding was her son Bobo. The older child was an orphan who lived wild before he was found by the science hut, he was Buru the 13 year old and Tuna's daughter was Paima age 8.
Kai asked, what are you kids doing here and Buru I know you're responsible for all this, so what made you want to stowaway?
'I am sorry mam, but we meant no harm, please lets us come with you?' explained Buru.
'I don't know I might have to ask my husband Kilu if he let you come, it's a long ocean journey especially for children and besides Bobo is only 6 and Paima is age 8 and you are still only 13!'
Buru said in defence, 'I'll be 14 soon and I'll be able to help out.'
'Yes I know, but even so your still be too young take on such a journey. You stay there and see how far out to sea we are and see if we can get you back!!'

Kai left the three children wondering what to say to Kali and Kon knowing they not are very pleased about the young stowaways. Kali was very busy with steering the boat and noticed that they had sailed quite a distance from the Western shore and every one back on the shore were so tiny. Kai was wondering how she was about to approach this delicate subject about the stowaways below deck. Then noticed the worried expression on her face and ask her, 'What's up you look like you lost a large coconut and found a smaller one!!!'
'We have stowaways.' Kai explained.
'What the...' and made to rush down to below deck, and Kai managed to stop him saying, they are only children... so please be gentle!'
'Oh!!!,' Kon giving an explanation sigh, Children?
'Yes children and I was wondering if we could turn around and take them back to the shore.'
Will we bit too far out and the tide is too strong at the moment to turn back and the wind is just right to keep on course.'
'So the children can come with us then? But my son Bobo is with them and I don't like the thought of any harm coming to him.'
'Your son, I see and Kali will not be pleased about this. We better tell him.'

Later when Kai and Kon told Kali about his son Bobo and his two friends Paima and Buru had stored away below deck was surprised at his response, I knew he took after you and me Kai, he always had that adventure instants in him and I am not surprised about Buru either as he has lived rough before he settled down on the shore, he be ideal. But I am surprised at Tuna's daughter Paima, as I know she was always very more at home type of girl and never wondered far from the shore.'
'Well I guess she had it in her more then you realised to stowaway.' Said Kon
'Tell the children they can stay if they behave themselves.' Kali said.

Kai went down below deck and told the children the news about them coming with them and the kids all jumped around with excitement and cheering until Kai told them to calm down that they were making the boat rock. Kon called down, 'You better bedded down everything there is a storm coming'.

To be continued