104.
  When we reached the bow, the four of us, our backs to the Chilean coast were transfixed. The sunset exploded into crimson and purple.
   The minute Conrad had stepped on board the El Telo, he was transformed. Once lumbering and taciturn, he was suddenly light on his feet, grinning broadly with eyes ablaze. He breathed in the sea air lustily. He raised his arms over his head and slowly spun reverently around. “Look at that sunset! Just look at it!” He put his hands on my shoulders. “I had a great time in Valparaiso. I hardly slept at all and now you come along! I am blessed!”

   The ship’s horn bellowed. “This is the best part of the voyage.”, he said. “No matter how good it gets, this is the best part.” The horn blew again and he pulled me close. “Ain’t it grand?” He looked back at the city. “So long, boys!” He turned to the setting sun, pulled off his hat and waived it. Two great bull’s ears flopped down the sides of his head and caught the breeze.
   Suddenly life in all its glory rose up, grabbed me by the collar and shook me till my head wobbled.    
   “Adios, amigos!”, he blasted then, turning his big cheeseburger face to mine he whispered. “Liebling, kom dort mit mir.”
   “The guy’s a God damned Minotaur!”, panted Pat.
   “A Minotaur with one thing on his mind.”, sighed Nanette.
   As the colors of the sunset waned, a full moon appeared in the sky. The El Telo steamed steadfastly beneath it. The column of smoke pouring from her stack drifted with the wind. She blew her horn once again.