“My gracious! am dem ’isters full of pearls?”
“That can only be told by examination,” was the quiet reply of Mr. Storms.
“Dat’s ruther deep to dive down, an’ how ’bout sharks?”
The mate smiled.
“We thought of all that before we left home, Pomp.”
“Well, what good did all de thinkin’ do? Dat won’t drive away de shark, dat would as lief bite a man in two as to swaller a fish.”
“If you and Redvig will return to the vessel and get that coat of mail on deck, I will agree to go down there and take all the risks.”
The three mutineers, as they may be called, exchanged glances, but said nothing. The captain and mate noted this telegraphy of the eyes, and they, too, were silent, but it was a little test which they had determined upon before leaving the Coral, lying some distance away, safely moored close inshore. Evidently the three could think of no valid excuse, and Brazzier said, in a low voice, which was heard by all:
“Go, men, and hurry back.”