ilheads and bands upon it
so that it appeared to wink cheerfully at Chris in the gloom.

Slowly, to avoid any creaks that might awake Amos, Chris lifted the
lid, thrust in one hand and found the shell. He held it near the small
port for a moment, its rosy interior faded of color in the gray light.
Then he turned it in his hand and put it to his ear.

At first he heard only the rushing sound of surf on a beach. Then the
sea sound became fainter and a voice so familiar that it meant home to
him came to Chris's ear as if from a long way off.

"Christopher? Christopher, here I am," came Mr. Wicker's voice. "How
are you? All going well I hope. Please do me the favor to tell the
Captain not to put ashore at his usual place in Tahiti, but to go by
night to a cove he will find twelve leagues farther along the coast. I
will tell you what to do nearer that time. He will find ample fresh
water near that cove, but the _Venture_ is up to mischief. You must
escape it, and all on board the _Mirabelle_ shall be witnesses to what
Claggett Chew plans to do."

The voice faded out and then returned.

"You would probably like to know how far behind the _Venture_ is. She
ran aground--most unfortunately and most surprisingly--and is three
full days behind you. But she is a fast ship and will soon lessen the
distance. Please to tell the Captain so; he is the only one to know of
my gifts and that it is possible for me to communicate with you. Tell
him not to stop for water or food until his stores are running low.
You must not waste time. Have you heard me? Tap the edge of the shell
three times for 'Yes.'"

Chris tapped three times, feeling much happier and all at once not
quite so much alone. The voice came back to his ear.

"I am following your progress from this room in the manner you know.
Practise your magic alone, or you will lose the knack. And now good
night. Oh yes--Becky Boozer has been crying into her apron all day.
Partly for Ned Cilley but I fancy--" Chris heard a chuckle from a
well-remembered room--"but I fancy, largely for two boys! Good night,
Christopher. Sleep well."

CHAPTER 20

As the Mirabelle sailed farther into tropical seas, Chris and Amos
worked out a pattern for their days. Before sunup, while the air was
still cool from the night, the two boys were awakened by Ned Cilley or
Abner Cloud. They joined the sailors on deck to do their share of
chores--mending rigging, patching sails, scrubbing decks, or