"These channels run quite deep," Danny explained. "Larger craft can travel only in these, whereas a flat-bottomed boat like ours can go anywhere on the bay."

A few minutes later he pointed to their left, where series of tall, stout poles protruded from the water. Many had small cottages on top.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Bess stated. "Are they summer homes?"

Danny nodded. "Right. They're weekend retreats. The owners like to get away from the city. Out here there are a lot of interesting things to see, and many birds. But not noise except from the boat motors."

"What about the poles with nothing on top?" George asked.

"The houses they supported were blown away in hurricanes," Danny explained.

Bess shivered. "I'd run at the first sign of a breeze if I lived in one of them."

Danny laughed. "I'm sure people don't stay and wait for the storm."

An hour later he reached another key. It was surrounded by a line of mangroves. As they drew closer, the girls saw stakes driven into the water, forming a fence. It stretched as far as they could see. Here and there warning signs were posted:

crocodile farm

no trespassing under penalty of the law

"So this is Crocodile Island," George remarked.

Just then Nancy noticed two bright spots in the water behind the fence. "What are those?" she asked.

"Crocodile eyes," Danny told her. "You see, these reptiles can stay completely under water except for their eyes, which are raised high in their heads. Watch!" He picked up the can of little marine creatures and tossed them toward the crocodile. Its great jaws rose and took in the food. Then the reptile swam away lazily.

Bess, who had drawn her feet back on deck, said, "I see now why the owners put up this fence. They left enough water between it and the island so the crocodiles can enjoy themselves."