Carter intended to lie to Serena that his shoulder ached after a sudden movement on the rudder. Still, the irony of fate brought it so that he actually injured his shoulder in precisely the way he had thought to say to Serena.
"Reefs in the sea! Turn left to avoid it, Captain," had shouted the observer from his watchtower on the middle mast of the ship.
It was unexpected, and Carter had made the sharp move to the left.
Re-examining the maps, he had decided to steer the boat to approach the land they would meet on the right to supply clean water from the river that existed there, according to the maps.
He knew there was land, but he had never had to replenish so soon. This would be because of the two extra people on their boat who also needed water.
His injury forced him to give his place to Ian earlier.
When Ian went to replace him on the wheel, he found Carter smiling, holding the rudder with one hand.
