It was over almost before they realized what had happened and the Storm, as the name on the bow designated her looked, as Jack afterward declared, as though a hundred tons of dynamite had exploded beneath her deck. In fact her entire superstructure was torn to pieces and, evidently the force of the detonation had been downward as well as upward, for she was settling rapidly by the bow.
Fortunately none of the flying debris had struck the Valkyrie and, as soon as he had realized what had happened, Captain Ole had given the order to stop the boat. But before they could turn and get back to the scene of the disaster the Storm had plunged beneath the waves. There was, however, much wreckage floating about and, in hopes of saving some of the crew, three of the small boats were lowered. But although they searched for more than an hour, four of the natives were all they could find. None of these were injured and they were taken on board and treated kindly. They could not speak English and nothing of moment was learned from them in regard to those who had employed them.
After a consultation it was decided to go back for more pearls and by ten o'clock they were again at their former anchorage. For three days they raked the sea for oysters getting many more pearls and then the supply suddenly gave out and, after another day, during which only a very few oysters were brought up, it was decided to start for home.
"We've nearly a hundred thousand dollars worth unless I'm very much mistaken," Mr. Lakewood declared after they had counted them.
"What are we going to do with those natives?" Captain Ole asked him.
"Reckon we'll have to go back and leave them on their island," Mr. Lakewood told him. "It won't be so much out of our way at that."
So two days later they were back at the island where their friend Umgubsolongas ruled and, much to their delight, the natives were allowed to land at once. To the disappointment of the boys Mr. Umgubsolongas was away from home and would not be back for another week. So, after taking on a fresh supply of fuel oil and some provisions the Valkyrie turned her bow homeward.
"The only regret I have is that we didn't learn more about that fellow on the island," Mr. Lakewood declared as they were eating dinner the first day out from the island.
"But I tell you it wasn't a man," Bob insisted.
"And if it was we'd never have got him without someone getting killed," Captain Ole added.