Challenge

A Challenge, P. 116

    "Darrin, am I imagining it? Are those barges headed our way?"

     "He is turning."

     "Yeah, but why? He'd be crazy to turn and head straight for the wall." I look back upriver.       The towboat operator has clear sailing. No one else is around. If he continues, we will be forced to cross the river just to avoid being hit.

     Darrin's words now mirror my thinking. "If he keeps coming, we'll need to cross. It won't be safe."

     "He seems to want this side. Let's cross while we still have a chance," I say. The minute we make our turn and head across the river, the towboat captain begins turning his barges back upriver, toward our new course. It is now impossible to safely cross in front of him.

     "I'm turning us back."

     Immediately after this second course change, the captain makes another course change, again heading directly upon us. "We can't be imagining this!"

     "Dammit!" Darrin's voice is beyond angry.

     "I'm going to stand and wave. Steady the canoe!"

     It changes nothing. We are in trouble.