Upon boarding a Traveler’s Ship in the south-eastern quadrant of the World of the Ocean King, Link encounters seven identically dressed sailors appearing to be gazing out to sea, six doing so through handheld telescopes. In one corner of the ship, a sailor stands empty-handed, staring at the wall.
Link can’t help but feel bad for this individual. Surely, he must feel like an outcast among his telescope-possessing brethren. Knowing he may be able to help, Link approaches to introduce himself. As the sailor turns to respond, Link receives a tremendous shock and instantly worries he may be standing too close to this stranger.
The man’s about-face reveals an affliction that has turned his right eye deep red, giving the appearance of a severe infection. Link can only hope it isn’t contagious, especially since they are standing so close to each other in a small, enclosed area. After the initial shock, Link intuits that it is probably not a disease, but the result of days or possibly months of staring intensely into a now-missing telescope. What a relief! The last thing Link needs on his adventure is a nasty case of pink eye.
Despite his condition, this man’s eyesight still seems intact. An item in Link’s pouch immediately draws his attention. With a “ho ho,” he expresses admiration for Link’s “telescope” and asks to see it. Upon examination, he claims the item has his name written in small writing on the back. Why do I get the feeling that he’s just going to say whatever he can to get a telescope and fit back in with his shipmates?
Now, Link learns the man’s name, or at least the name he read on the back of Link’s item: Hoiger Howgendoogen. It sounds like a Leif Erikson Day greeting. In the process of introducing himself, Hoiger manages to bite his tongue. Not able to say his own name without hurting himself; Link is becoming quite suspicious of this fellow. However, the other folks on the ship explain that their people are called the Ho Ho Tribe, so maybe all members’ first and last names begin with the letters “h” and “o?” Link is grasping at straws to believe that this man is really who he says he is.
Hoiger gives a long, suspect pause, then thanks Link for delivering “his” telescope. In return, Hoiger gives Link the Guard Notebook, noting that it was just something he happened to come by. Sure, likely story. Link’s comfort level on this ship is sinking.
Before leaving, Link realizes something. The item he gave Hoiger was not a telescope, but a kaleidoscope. You know, the toy you rotate to show colorful, reflective patterns of the objects you are looking at? Hoiger even acknowledges this after Link gives him the item by exclaiming that his “heart is like a spinning kaleidoscope.” No, Hoiger is not joining the others in looking out to sea.
But, wait a minute.
With a glance around the cabin, Link notices that none of the sailors are looking out to sea. In fact, there are not even openings to look outside. Presumably, everyone aboard is just staring into kaleidoscopes. Something is definitely off about this ship and its crew. Link decides its best to slowly slink out the hatch unnoticed, with everyone lost in the illusions of their optical instruments and many lingering questions about Hoiger and his shipmates unanswered.
