"Thinking you're the only person who can do something is the definition of ego," Owen says, more sigh than force behind the words. He sets his plate aside and loosely folds his arms over his knees, keeping to the ground, projecting ease rather than defensiveness.

"Have you asked the people helping you build your boat? Do you think I'm out here every day carving a canoe because I've never been in one? I know what can go wrong out there because I've grown up around boats, and I know you're being stubborn because I've been the same way."

It can be a blessing at times, when reason is applied in equal quantity. "If you doubt the people here, teach them. What are you going to do if you find something, ferry us one at a time, taking the same risk with every voyage?"