There must be a party or a dance being held there. I'll go inside and have a look. Boy those fellows can certainly play. Not bad for a Hori band, very good, this will do me, I wonder how much is it to go in. ‘You talking to me, boy?’ ‘Yes, how much to go in?’ ‘What's in hell the matter with you. I just gave you a pass to go outside.’ What's the matter with me, of course, I live here. ‘Where have you been all this time Rangi?’ ‘Who me, oh I have been outside for a breath of fresh air.’ ‘You want to dance this one Rangi?’ ‘I don't mind, Kiri, it's the second to last dance. The last is a waltz, and I know you love to waltz.’ ‘Yes I do Rangi, so we will have both.’ ‘You know Kiri, I can follow your steps anywhere you go. You are a pretty good dancer.’ ‘Ah you Rangi, I'll bet you say that to all the girls.’ ‘Now Kiri you know I've only got one girl.’ ‘Silly, I like teasing you Rangi, you are so serious.’ ‘Of course I am serious, and when we get married and have our own little home, I shall tie you up to a ball and chain so that you won't get away from me.’ ‘Oh Rangi, do you mean that?’ ‘I am just waiting for the day.’ We are having our last waltz and then for home. We are nearing Kiri's home and the road is fairly dark, with a solitary light glowing through the hall door. ‘Must you go in so soon dear?’ ‘Yes darling, Dad doesn't like me to stay out too late.’ ‘Kiss me goodnight.’ ‘Goodnight dear Rangi.’ ‘So long Kiri.’ I am nearly home. I had better take off my shoes and creep in, so as not to wake Mum. Hang it all, I've dropped one of my shoes. ‘Is that you son?’ ‘Yes Mum, I am just going to bed.’ ‘Wait, come in here a minute, I want to talk to you. I can't go to sleep. Did you have a nice time at the dance?’ ‘Yes, pretty good Mum.’ ‘Was Kiri there?’ ‘Yes Mum.’ ‘You like her, don't you Rangi?’ ‘Yes I do Mum, very much.’ ‘Well, your father and I like her too. So now you run off to bed now. Kiss me goodnight.’ ‘God bless you Mum.’ ‘Go quietly past your father's room, he has to start work early in the morning.’ I close the door slowly, open my bedroom door and switch on my light. Hello, the light must be broken or fused. And now once again that eerie feeling is with me. Although I am still in the darkness there is all-pervading cold, and a swaying motion under my feet. I am dressed as a fisherman. Where I am I have no idea as yet, but I am holding fast to the rigging of a fore and aft schooner-rigged fishing ketch. She is sailing into a fairly heavy running sea. Something tells me we are off the coast, way down south aways, for I can feel that pulsating swell underfoot which is so much a part of a sailor's life when riding those mountainous rollers that sweep mightily up from southward of the Solanders, and on to smash their way through the straits. I am there and it is my first trip out and I love the feel of the wind and sleet in my face. It makes me feel just as my migratory Polynesian forbears felt, who were the most fearless of the Blue Water Breed. My salty reverie is suddenly broken by the voice of a fog horn. ‘What the hell are you doing up there Boy? Get down below now. Belay or I'll skin you alive.’ My gosh that was my old man. I'd better get going smartly into the focsle. Me for the sack. ‘What do you think you were doing up there lad, looking for mermaids perhaps?’ ‘No Dad, I was doing a bit of thinking.’ ‘Getting homesick are you?’ ‘No Dad, nothing like that.’ ‘Oh yes you are, I know. Never mind, you can't help it I suppose. Your mother is always making a fuss over you. I'll never make a man out of you. You talk about wanting to go to the next war. If there is one they'll make mincemeat of you in no time at all. So long now lad, turn down your lamp.’ My eyes close and I am asleep. No, wait. I am in a long barracks type of room and there is a tense, electrifying atmosphere everywhere. Hundreds of men are queued up—waiting for what? Yes it is war. War at last. They have been talking about war for a long time, and now it has come. There are men from all over