Jack snatched up a boat hook. He started to say something, but it was drowned out by a series of chords that seemed to come from the bowels of the Earth. “Big uh-oh,” muttered Ray. “Steady,” said Jack. Then, as if a curtain had been raised, we drifted out of the mist into a blinding pool of light. I heard Harriet cry out in amazement and I saw it too. A big floating platform appeared out of the mist, and seated on it were dozens of young musicians, their instruments glinting in the light. They let go with another chord of music that came across the water like a monster cannonball. Now they launched into a piece that absolutely riveted us. It was the kind of music you’d expect to hear on your first day in heaven. It made me want to laugh, cry, and yell in triumph all at the same time. We drew closer to the floating platform, and suddenly another vessel appeared. It was a long blue canoe, being paddled by at least a dozen kids. A woman dressed in a flowing blue robe stood in the center of the canoe.
