_THE TWO BLACK DIVERS_
Amos Hooker went ashore taking with him several bottles of spirits with
which to propitiate the pearl fishers. The men were down on the beach to
meet him, and the sight of the bottles put them in a good humour; it was
not long before they emptied two or three, and then commenced to talk
freely.
"Spent a jolly night on board, Amos?" asked one man.
"Yes, they are real good fellows, two new chums, and you can take my
word for it they'll do us no harm with their fishing."
"We made up our minds last night there's to be no pearling here, or
there'll be a row."
"Tom Case, you are a fool," replied Amos. "Let 'em try their luck, and
it's long odds they find nothing. While they are messing about here we
shall have a plentiful supply of liquor, food stuff, and tobacco from
the schooners. They are well provisioned, and that will be a change,
you'll allow."
"There's sense in that," said one of the men, "and as Amos says, it's
long odds they pick up nothing. I say, leave 'em alone; what's your
opinion, mates?"
"If we give them a free hand it will mean that others will come and
expect the same treatment," said Case. "I vote we stop their little game
as soon as they commence."
Tom Case was jealous of the position held by Amos Hooker, and this was
his reason for holding out. He saw, however, that the prospect of fresh
supplies was too great a temptation for them, and finally it was decided
to permit the newcomers to try their luck without any interference. This
news Amos Hooker conveyed to the "Heron," and Jack handed him over ten
pounds as a reward.
"We require some more divers," said Jack, "can you procure them for us?"
"How many do you want?"
"Six or seven; we have some of our own on board."
"I can get you them, but they are not very reliable. Still, if you treat
them well I think they will be all right."
"We will deal liberally with them," said Jack, "providing they work
well."
Amos Hooker saw a chance here. He had two black fellows who would do
anything for him, and they were expert divers.
"Do you wish to take any of them with you when you go north, if they
turn out well?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Jack, readily, "and they can be put in here on our
return."
"Then I'll try and fix it up for you," said Amos.
The arrangements for sending out the boats with divers were soon
completed, and while Amos was ashore they were at work in different
parts of the bay.
Amos Hooker's two blacks were half civilised, and had been employed as
divers for a long time. They were wonderfully clever, and could remain
under water for a very long time. Through these men, Amos Hooker had
secured many a good pearl that ought not to have fallen to his share. He
had no scruples in robbing his mates by means of these divers who had
been with him on the "Mary Hatchett" when he stole the schooner and made
several voyages on his own account. He had treated them well, and
although they were a couple of scoundrels they were afraid of him, and
at the same time curiously attached to him. He seemed to exercise great
influence over them, and they evidently understood one another. They
were tall strong men, and capable of great endurance. When Amos Hooker
seized the "Mary Hatchett" they stood by him, and had it not been for
their support his plan for taking the schooner would have failed. There
were ugly tales afloat about the "Mary Hatchett," and Kylis and Miah,
the two blacks, could have told a terrible story had they chosen. The
schooner was lost a few months after Amos Hooker secured her, and it was
probably as well for him that such was the case.
He approached the men cautiously, and in a few words explained what was
required of them. They spoke fairly good pigeon English, and it will be
more understandable if properly translated.
"We are to go to sea in the schooners?" said Kylis, a curious name,
which in some parts takes the place of boomerang.
"Yes, and you will have a good trip. There is plenty to eat and drink on
board, and you will be well paid."
"We go as divers?" asked Miah.
"That is so; you are both clever at it."
"Are you going?" asked Kylis.
"No, of course not."
"I thought perhaps you might be in want of another schooner," grinned
the black.
Amos cursed him, and bade him keep a guard on his tongue.
"We are to do something for you?" asked Miah, who knew very well "the
boss" had some game of his own to play.
"You can help me and yourselves as well," he said. "These schooners are
going north to some bay Jacob Rank discovered, and where he says there
are many shells. This may be true, or it may not; in any case it matters
very little to you, for you will be paid. If they find much shell there
will be good pearls, and good pearls are rare, Kylis. I like good
pearls."
The black showed his teeth in a broad grin; then he opened his mouth
wide, showing a huge cavity. He closed it with a snap, made a show of
swallowing something, and then rubbed his stomach.
"Quite so," said Amos. "You have swallowed pearls before, and can do it
again, but on this trip you will have to adopt some other method of
hiding them."