ill, and in his mate at the rope and the air-pump,
Captain Jerry. For defence against any obtrusive shark or sawfish he
carried a heavy, long-bladed, two-edged knife, by far the most effective
weapon in deep water. This knife he wore in a sheath at his waist, with
a cord attached to the handle so that it could not get away from him. He
carried also a tiny electric battery supplying a strong lamp on the
front of his head-piece just above his eyes.

From his long experience in sounding and in locating wrecks, Jan Laurvik
had acquired an accuracy that seemed almost like divination. His
soundings, in this instance, had been particularly thorough, because he
did not wish to waste any more time than necessary at the depth in which
he would have to work. He was not surprised, therefore, when he found
himself descending upon the wreck of a junk. Moreover, as it was not an
old wreck, he concluded that it was the junk which he was looking for.
The wreck had settled almost on an even keel; and as he was familiar
with craft of her type, he had no difficulty in finding his way about.

It was in the narrow, closet-like structure which served as the junk's
cabin that the pirate had said the pearls would be found. The door was
open. Turning on his light, which struggled with the water and diffused
a ghostly glow, he found himself confronted by a hideous little joss of
red-and-gilt lacquer. He knew it was lacquer, and of the best, for
nothing else, except gold itself, would have withstood the months of
soaking in sea-water. Jan grinned to himself, there within his rubber
and copper shell, at this evidence of pirate piety. Then it occurred to
him that a man like the pirate captain would probably have turned his
piety to practical use. What better guardian of the treasure than a god?
Dragging the gaudy deity from his altar, he found the altar hollow. In
that secure receptacle lay a series of packages done up with careful
precision in wrappings of oiled silk. He knew the style of wrapping very
well. For all his coolness, his heart fell to thumping painfully at the
sight of this vast wealth beneath his hand. Then he realized that the
pressure of the water, and of the compressed air in his helmet, was
beginning to tell upon him. In fierce but orderly haste he corded the
packages about his middle and turned to leave the cabin. He would make
another trip for the lacquer god, and for such other articles of value
or _vertu_ which the junk might