128.
   We rowed through the night. By the time we reached the island of Komodo at daybreak we were exhausted. For a while we rested as the boat drifted offshore. We were silent. None of us wanted to speak of what we had left behind. Then in unison Conrad and I took up the oars and rowed ashore. The minute we beached the boat and climbed out, a phalanx of monitors each larger than the four of us put together stomped out of the jungle.

   “Oh great, more lizards.”, moaned Pat. “When are we going to see some dogs?” “Lizards?”, asked Conrad in astonishment. “You call these dragons lizards?”
    “I sure as hell hope these are the relatives the captain was talking about.”, said Nanette
in a quavering voice.
    I decided that the best defense was a good offence. I walked up to the advancing hulks. “I’m Oliver and these are my fellow travelers. Captain Beatrice of the El Telo sent us.” We were surrounded. The sound of their heavy breathing filled the air. Curled black claws scraped next to my feet. Gobs of drool fell from their jaws and slapped onto the sand. The largest one approached me. It lowered its head to mine and looked at me through one eye. I offered a brave grin. 
   A smile broke on its face. “How is the old girl and that greasy old bucket she sails?”
   “In full fighting form!”, bragged Conrad as he lumbered up behind me.
   “Blustery bravado from the both of you.”, smirked the dragon. “Are your dogs poisonous?”
   “Deadly poisonous!”, chimed the dogs.
   “Then we are all in good company!”, it responded grandly. “Come, let us have tea.”