three more gems
not quite so large as mine, and about as much seed pearl as would half
fill an ordinary wineglass. One of the three smaller pearls, however--
secured by Gurney--amply made up in beauty what it lacked in size, for
it was of a most exquisitely delicate yet rich rose colour.

"My friends," said I, as soon as I was able to collect my scattered
senses and speak intelligibly, "it is said that the darkest cloud has a
silver lining, and the extraordinary accident by which we have become
imprisoned in the meshes of this reef--let us hope only temporarily--has
at the same time presented us with a treasure of incalculable value. I
think we should be almost criminally negligent if we failed to make the
utmost of our marvellous good fortune, and I therefore propose that,
before we proceed further with the exploration of the reef, we take
steps to secure the wealth that lies spread so lavishly at our feet.
Let us take these oysters and spread them--or at least a portion of
them--in rows, so that the sun may get at them and speedily bring about
that state of decomposition which I understand is necessary to enable
the gems they contain to be secured uninjured. And I further propose
that, whatever be the value of the wealth we may ultimately secure, it
be equally divided between all four of us; for it would be manifestly
unfair that Miss Hartley should not equally participate in our good as
in our ill fortune. What say you?"

My companions cheerfully agreed with my proposal, and, this point
settled, we forthwith proceeded to collect the oysters indiscriminately
from the enormous heap and lay them out singly upon the seaweed in long
rows, taking care to place each bivalve quite flat, in order that, as
the process of decomposition proceeded, the precious contents should not
roll out and be lost. So absorbed were we in our occupation that we did
not desist until the sun hung upon the very verge of the western
horizon, by which time we had placed in position very nearly three
thousand oysters. And not until then did we find time to remember that
we had eaten nothing since leaving the ship!

Then, returning to the boat, we cleansed our hands in the water
alongside, shook out our reef, set all our canvas, and headed the boat
back to the ship, snatching a hasty meal as we went.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE PEARLS.

The breeze freshened with the disappearance of the sun beneath the
horizon, and the boat, under whole