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. At last the jailer called out: 'Who's there?' We
gave our names, when he exclaimed: 'Now if you blasted shell-backs
can't get home at a reasonable hour, you can stay out. This is the last
time I will be disturbed from my slumbers to let you in.'"
The three worthies implored Paul to take them away on the Cayosa. I
referred them to the negro captain. The latter earnestly assured them
that, he would sooner run a cargo of scorpions than risk himself and
crew to the tender care of the mild mannered Liverpool tars.
When the sloop was fully repaired, she started on a trip around the
island, but the breakers were too heavy for successful work. She
directed her course northward and soon reentered the Cariacon group. A
couple of months were spent in those lovely islands. The great
breakers that swept in along the coast of Trinidad, Tobago and Granada
were missing. In the tranquil bays and inlets, they pursued their
occupation of bringing up the natural treasures of the deep with more
profit and less risk. They would anchor the Cayosa as near shore as
possible, in some well sheltered bay. Here soundings wouid be taken,
and the vicinity thoroughly inspected. When the bay gave promise of
shells and coral, a camp was made on the silver-like beach under the
shade of the towering cocoanut trees. The mainsail was detached and
carried ashore to serve as an awning. The large sheet-iron boilers
were also landed. While two of the crew gathered wood and decayed
vegetation for fuel, the others were busy erecting a crude fire-
place with rocks, over which the boilers were set. The shore camp being
ready, the submarine pump would be lowered into the yawl and with Tom
Scott, encased in his diving armor, would be conveyed to the most likely
place on the bay. When this was reached, a kedge anchor was dropped,
the face piece of the armor screwed on, the pipes attached and Tom
quietly slipped over the side and descended to the reef. Two of the crew
turned cranks to force air down to him, while Paul seated in the stern
held the life line. When the diver reached bottom, he gave the signal to
shift the boat wherever his explorations led him. When a lot of shells
or curious objects were found, several pulls on the line were given
indicating, "to anchor and send down the bucket." This bucket was a huge
iron affair, holding about five bushels. It was sent to the bottom.
Tom soon filled it with living and dead specimens
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