because it was the first to be settled in the Society group. It required five more days, with Cerberus following the true course of the star Sirius, for the clipper to reach the island's natural harbor.Claire had wondered how she would feel when the ship finally came upon Raiatea. It was here that her own canoe had landed after the long, harrowing journey over Pacific waters. The islanders had received her with a mixture of great joy and awe bordering on fear. If not for the presence of the British frigate, Claire knew she might have been elevated to the position of a spirit god by her rescuers. She was placed in the care of her countrymen instead and taken away from the island before she could properly thank anyone who had helped her."I'm looking forward to expressing my gratitude,” Claire told the doctor. “There were times I despaired of being given this opportunity.""Hmmm.” Macauley Stuart was listening to her with only half an ear.Claire smiled at his distraction. She wondered how much he had heard of her account.
