Part 3 (1/2)

CHAPTER VIII

PEARL ISLAND

For so the South Sea Islands we continued to cruise a ators

The weather at this time was calm and fine, but one day when in the open sea a te a number of islands, most of which appeared to be little better than barren rocks As we approached, however, we observed one of large size, mountainous, ooded, and fertile, and here we hoped to find the fresh water and vegetable food of which we stood in need On rounding a coral reef which made a natural breakwater, we anchored in a quiet bay opposite a beach, and a party of us o ashore

The waters of this bay were blue as the sky above, and we could see in the depths below a arden of seaweed and coral, and what interested us reat quantity of pearl shell As ed towards the shore the beach becaestures to be full of wonder at the sight of our vessel The people here were of a light coffee colour, avy hair The ree of taste far in advance of any of the savages we had hitherto met with Elaborate devices were tattooed upon the exposed parts of their bodies; a petticoat of finely-plaited cloth reached from waist to knee; beautiful neckletsround their necks; while their hair was frizzled like a mop upon their heads, powdered red or yellow The women were sier and their hair hung straight, while the children went entirely naked except for garlands of bright flowers No weapons were carried by these islanders, and upon landing we found them friendly, and inclined to offer us hospitality

The houses in the town to which they welco the day, but closed at nights by blinds made from the leaves of the coconut tree The floor is formed of powdered white coral, and is very clean The toas built in a se's house, a building of the saer size

Beautifully-made mats and wooden bowls fors, so triy white wool rugs, which, on closer inspection, proved to be made from the bark of a dwarf hibiscus, hich the islands abound, bearing a bright red flower The food of the islanders consists of fish, coconuts, taro, yams, and breadfruit, of which there is a plentiful supply

In return for their hospitality, Hartog distributed aht-coloured cloth, beads, knives, and other trifles, which, in the eyes of these sies, were so many wonders hitherto undreamed of

When we had been so his desire to obtain the pearl shells of which we could see an abundance at the bottom of the bay, within easy reach of an expert diver, and as these islanders were as much at home in the water as upon land, we soon had a pile of shell upon the beach which soreat number of shells very few pearls were found, and none of any special value

When the king observed ere in search of he offered Hartog for his acceptance a nue size and perfect colour, which froh to satisfy theto me when he had safely locked up this treasure on board the ”Endraght”, ”but nothing over, unless we can add to the collection by our own exertions” But although we continued to open shells for several days no great haul of pearls wasthat it would fetch a good price at A secured soe that he recovered his natural buoyancy of spirits which had lately been oppressed by the prospect of returning home empty-handed

”'Tis wonderful, the power of , in secret, the pearls which the king of the island had given hiive youback without money's worth to satisfy the e It was that which broke the great heart of Columbus, and I'd have becoues who sent us out, and who never , would not have cared whence thehad not confided the secret of the king's present to any but me, as he feared the crew, disappointed in the treasure hunt which they had been proht try to take forcible possession of it He was so absorbed in counting the pearls and in speculating upon their value that he gave no heed to the possibility of being spied upon But since I was to have no share in them, the pearls did not interest me as much as they did the captain, and I allowed , I saw the face of Van Luck looking down upon us froo on deck, I stole cautiously up the co to catch Van Luck red-handed in the act of playing the spy upon us, but when I reached the skylight I could see no sign of him From where I stood, however, I was able to observe the captain counting the pearls, and I deterht, or a blind inside that ht be drawn to ensure privacy But I did not think it would be wise to say anything about ht be set down to h honestly I bore Van Luck no ill will

CHAPTER IX

MUTINY

APearl Island, when it becaht” that a course had been set for ho obtained the treasure which had been the object of the voyage, the spirit of discontent in the forecastle which had previously shown itself, became so marked as to threaten a mutiny Had it not been that we held all the arms and ammunition aft, there would have been little doubt of the sea duty As it was, they went about their work in so surly ahad not kept a check upon his temper, a serious outbreak on more than one occasion would have occurred

”I cannot think what evil influence is at work aether alone in the cabin, for Van Luck, except at ht to know that treasure hunts often prove disappointing, and they will each receive a good round sue What, then, would they gain by ator they would either lose the shi+p, or, if they succeeded insailors as I do, I cannot understand, in present circumstances, what it is that fosters rebellion, unless some influence is at work that ot not of”

It was then that I thought itVan Luck, and of how I had seen hi of the pearls

Hartog was amazed at such treachery on the part of his first officer

His own nature was so open that he found it hard to credit deception in others My disclosures, however, enlightened hi place, and he bade ht see or hear To this end, II found the co a to take the shi+p Hartog and I, together with those ould not join in the mutiny, were to be set adrift with three days' provisions in one of the boats, when Van Luck would navigate the ”Endraght” to the nearest port, proreatly exaggerated, equally a all hands, share and share alike

To be forewarned is to be foreared the plan of the an to consider hoe ht meet the situation Janstins, the pilot, the shi+p's carpenter, and three of the cree knee could depend upon, and they were instructed where to find arms and ans of 's next step was to bringto be gained, andboldly upon his quarterdeck, he now issued his orders in his old pere sratings Thewas speaking, while, at the sa near, remonstrated with the captain on thereally roused before In two quick strides he was beside Van Luck, and picking hi him from the poop on to the deck below At the same moment the mutineers made a rush aft, but those ere loyal to us were before them, and we presented such a for Van Luck with the now turned the brass cannon, which had already been loaded upon the ether in the fore part of the vessel, swearing he would fire upon them if they did not instantly surrender A hurried consultation followed, after which Van Luck stepped forward as spokesman He complained that the crew had not been fairly dealt by They had suffered much hardshi+p, he said, and it was understood that all treasure obtained on the voyage was to be shared a a parcel of pearls of sufficient value toreplied as follows:

”I aht to do as I please