canvas and in the perfectly smooth
water of the canal-like channel, fairly flew along, careening almost
gunwale-to, with a merry buzzing of water at her sharp stem, as she
sheared through it with a sound like the rending of silk. In about an
hour and a half, favoured with a free wind, and a sufficiency of
starlight to enable us to see our way, we found ourselves once more
alongside the ship, tired with the fatigues of the day, but excited and
happy at the amazing good fortune that had befallen us. For the moment
we could neither think nor talk of anything but pearls; the precarious
situation of the ship and the consideration of what might happen to her
should a gale spring up were entirely lost sight of, and already
Saunders, if not Gurney and myself, was anxiously considering what he
should do with his wealth when he had conveyed it safely home. Grace
Hartley, woman-like, fairly gloated over the sight of the lovely gems
that we had brought back with us, and earnestly besought us that she
might be allowed to accompany us on our next visit to the oyster-bed, in
order that she might have the delight of securing a few with her own
hands; and after some demur we promised that she might do so on the
following day, by the end of which she would probably have had quite
enough of it; for decomposition of animal matter is speedy under a
tropical sun, and our experience even of a single day led us all to
conclude that another twenty-four hours would reduce the stranded
oysters to a condition sufficiently revolting to tax even male endurance
pretty severely.

The following morning found us all early astir, and the moment that
breakfast was over the boat was brought alongside and our provisions for
the day passed down into her. Then Gurney descended and assisted his
sweetheart down the side, Saunders following, and I bringing up the
rear. The boat's sails were set, and under whole canvas we pushed off
on our way to the oyster-bed; for the craving for wealth was upon us
all, and we felt that every moment spent otherwise than in gathering it
was so much wasted time.

The breeze was still blowing fresh, and, although for the greater part
of the distance the boat was jammed close upon a wind, we made excellent
time between the ship and our point of destination, arriving there after
a pleasant sail of less than two hours. But long before we arrived I
began to wish that I had thought of putting a gun into the boat; for
while we w