"We cannot safety put much more on the schooners," he replied, "and I think we had better knock off and clear out."
"Then if all are agreeable we will get away at once."
The others signified their assent, and it was decided to sail when all the shell had been safely stowed away in the two schooners.
They were all smoking and chatting after supper when Harry Marton said,—
"You have not told us whether you had any luck to-day; did you find many pearls?"
"Several," said Jack, carelessly, "some a good size and well shaped."
"Let us have a look at them," said Jacob, and Jack went to fetch them. He took out the big black pearl and put it in his pocket.
It happened that Kylis heard Jacob talking about leaving the bay, and he was anxious to learn whether the pearls were valuable. He saw they were all occupied and not likely to keep a sharp look out, and snake-like, he glided behind some of the pearl shell barrels until he was within earshot. The white crew were all at rest, as there was nothing more for them to do. He left Miah on the watch, and told him to make a peculiar bird-like cry if he saw any danger of discovery.
Jack placed the pearls before Jacob, and he pronounced them to be the most valuable yet taken. "We must sort them out before we start," he said, "and stow them safely away; some of these black devils are awful thieves and you cannot be too careful. Those two fellows Amos Hooker sent you are up to no good, I can tell by the way they hang together, and watch us."
Kylis grinned, and showed his teeth in a white gleam.