A young man and his father have a distant but friendly relationship. His mother died when he was a boy, and he was raised by his grandmother for a decade while his father traveled. As an adult, the man is invested in Indonesian oil production. Thus, he spends lots of time in Australia and Southeast Asia. Before departing for Sydney, his father tells him to keep an eye out for a man named Champlin who he met years ago in Asia. On the boat, the man meets Turner, another traveler who was Champlin’s closest friend. The two men cruised the Pacific for years in search of adventure. Champlin always planned to return to the United States due to familial responsibilities. On one trip, they docked in Taluno. There, Champlin fell in love with a native girl. He refused to be alone with her because he knew he wouldn’t be able to leave if their relationship got serious. When Champlin and Turner boarded a ship to leave, the girl snuck on board. As a punishment, the captain made her and Champlin get married. He kicked them off the boat, and Champlin rowed their small seacraft back to Taluno. Turner visited them months later, and they were happily married. The next year, Turner went back to find that Champlin had just left. His wife was distraught, but she was sure he would return. Champlin had left a letter for Turner, instructing him to visit his wife yearly and ensure her wellbeing. On his next visit, Champlin’s wife had given birth to a daughter, Li Lah. Upon returning stateside, the man reports Turner’s tale to his father. The older man is clearly eager to return to the East, but he is saving his money to pass on to his son. The man urges his father to follow his heart, and his father decides to go. On the day of the ship's departure, the man accompanies his father to the boat and wishes him well. He recalls part of Turner's story—Champlin had heterochromia and one blonde eyebrow. As the man waves goodbye to his East-bound father, he sees hope in his different-colored eyes and finally understands what kept him away for all those years. He keeps his secret, hoping that his father will finally be able to finish the adventure that he started.