They lost no time, but set to work at once, removing shoes and socks, and rolling the legs of their trowsers above their knees.
Then, with selected, sharp-pointed sticks, after wading into the shallow water, they began to poke carefully around in all such promising places as mussels would most likely be found.
Steve gave the first triumphant cry.
"I've got one, Max! And say, he's just a jim-dandy big fellow, too, believe me! Now, I wonder if he's going to present us with the mate of that little beauty of a pearl we lost so queerly."
Max was watching his chum closely.
"He says that just as naturally as if he meant every word of it," the boy muttered; puzzled more than ever; and then raising his voice he went on to say: "You'll just have to take it out in guessing, then, old chap, because we can't bother stopping to open every find we come across."
"I should say not," replied Steve, and immediately added: "Hey! what d'ye think, here's another of the blessed old shellfish, just poking his nose out of the sand like he wanted to invite me to gather him in."
"Good enough! I haven't picked up my first one yet; and here you're walking away from me double-quick. Guess I'd better get busy."
The truth was Max had been so wrapped up in watching his chum that as yet he had hardly tried to make a find.
But he now set industriously to work. There were times when the mussels came in fast; and again they seemed to fall off.