You Love Giant Insects

They have taken their shoes off, and climbed out of the dinghy.

It has proceeded to float way.

Luckily, Katherine has thought to take hold of the cable.

She tugs on the cable.

They all help to heave the dinghy over the boulders.

Arthur hitches it to the trunk of a tree.

Hello, says the Island Ranger, now appearing.

Good morning, says Gaius. 

You did that the hard way, says the Ranger.

Meaning? says David.

We could have hauled you up the slipway, says the Ranger. It's just over there. 

Hum, says Gaius, only now seeing the slipway. Never mind. It was a challenge.

Are you the party of Katherine Hume? asks the Ranger.

Yes, says Katherine. Here is my permit.

The Ranger examines the permit.

You've all gone through quarantine, I see, says the Ranger. That's good.

Katherine wonders if she should admit that Arthur hasn't. Only his whistle and snacks.

Which might cause a hold up. 

At least he has left his shoes in the dinghy. And seems in no hurry to retrieve them.

Follow me, says the Ranger. I'll show you the way to the bunkhouse.

They follow the ranger, along a track through the forest, to the bunkhouse.

What's your main interest? asks the Ranger. Birds? A rare white kiwi was spotted not far from here yesterday

The kakapo, in particular, says Gaius.

Then you'll want a night permit, says the Ranger.

I should like to learn more about the hihi, says Katherine. 

The Ranger looks at David.

What else is here? asks David.

It's a veritable Noah's Ark, says the Ranger. We have wetapunga, kokako and ticke, tuatara, kiwi, tui, korimako, kakariki, poteke, kereru, hihi, karuhiruhi, popokatea, miromiro, titipounamu, riroriro and  korora, that's the blue penguin.

Right, says David. I have a degree of interest in the blue penguin.

Katherine looks scornful.

And you? says the Ranger, turning to Arthur.

The wetapunga, says Arthur.

It's the only name he remembers.

You like giant insects? asks the Ranger.

I love them, says Arthur.