'll tell the Kanakas myself about that
Pirate Shark, and if they choose to go down after that, it's their
affair. I don't think he's around here, myself; but in case that bullet
didn't send him out to sea with a hole in his fin, and if he really is
the Pirate Shark, we'll have to wait till the captain gets back, unless
the men are perfectly willing to take the risk. You can order Dailey or
Yorke to go down if you like."

At this last suggestion Jerry merely darted them a sharp look, and
chuckled.

"All right, lads, all right! We'll see in the mornin', lads. Eight
fathom down she is, and fish tell no tales."

That night the boys discussed the situation with growing belief that
Jerry was not quite so silly as he appeared. The sight of that immense
black fin had established the fact that there was at least an enormous
shark here; whether the wreck was also a fact or not was quite another
thing.

There might be a wreck there, indeed, and there was no good reason to
doubt it. Jerry's tale about its being an ancient galleon, however, was
much too improbable to be accepted. However, the diving gear was
overhauled that evening, and the boys looked forward eagerly to what was
to happen next day.

"I s'pose dad's watching a native dance or something about now,"
remarked Bob as the boys made ready to turn in. "Well, we'll be after
tigers ourselves in a few days, Mart."

"Mebbe," rejoined Mart. "Wish, we hadn't eaten those oysters this
morning! I haven't felt right since. Well, so long, Holly! See you
to-morrow."

And if Mart felt any premonitions, he ascribed them to the oyster.

CHAPTER XI

THE STORM BREAKS

"Hey, there! Wake up, Holly!"

Mart pounded on his chum's door again, as a sleepy answer came from
within. The night mists had been gone for an hour, and the sun was
flooding the lagoon with light and warmth, but Mart was more excited
than the early hour warranted.

"Hurry up there, Holly!" he urged, pounding again. "Get a move on!
Something's happened!"

"What?" sounded the question.

"Never mind till you see it. Get your duds on and get out here."

After thirty seconds more the half-dressed figure of Bob appeared at the
door. Mart seized him by the arm and jerked him out. Bob stared in
wonder, for Mart's strong, determined face was filled with grief and
anger.

"What's struck you, Mart?"

"Come along and see."

With which enigmatic response Mart led the way forward and up to the
bridge. Tw