Chapter 23

We washed the oysters in the lagoon, and then opened them with our jackknives and ate them raw. This took some nerve on my part, since it was my understanding that not only were they raw, but actually alive as well

My companion went first, taking one onto his tongue. When he swallowed, he motioned toward me. “Wait a few minutes—to see if there’s any adverse reaction.”

In the end I did partake, but had fewer than the Marine, who seemed really to like them. I based my meal more on the fruit. To make this more palatable, I had gone to my palm taps and emptied the contents of both into the water bag—letting it mix with the water that was left.

When I opened the bag during the dinner, however, I was taken aback.

“It’s gone off,” I said, sniffing the opening.

My companion took it and sniffed as well.

“It smells a little—like alcohol.” He took a sip. “Tastes like it as well.”

“I guess the sugar in the sap fermented,” I said. “I wonder if it’s still okay to drink.”