"I have sold the pearl, here is the money," and he jangled the bag.
"How much?"
"One hundred pounds."
"You are a fool," said the black, savagely. "It is worth many hundreds."
"Which I could not get."
"We must have our share."
"Not a fraction," said Amos.
Contrary to his expectation the black walked away, and the evil look in
his eyes caused Amos some uneasiness.
He shook off the feeling, and went to his tent, which was at the
furthest end of the camp, away from that of the blacks.
He counted the gold, it was correct, one hundred pounds, neither more
nor less. Hiding it under his bed he lay down to rest, intending to be
up early in the morning and secure a safe place for it.
Kylis returned to his tent in a sullen mood, and Miah knew he was best
left alone.
In the middle of the night the black stole out of the tent, leaving Miah
asleep. He knew his way almost as well in the dark as by daylight.
Keeping well to the rear of the camp he approached the tent of Amos
Hooker noiselessly, carrying in his hand a big pearling knife. Lying on
the ground he listened intently, but heard no sound. Crawling snake-like
round the canvas he came to the opening, where he again stopped,
listening. He peered into the darkness, but saw nothing. Crawling inside
he felt his way cautiously, the slightest noise might rouse his intended
victim.
His hand felt the rough mattress on which Amos Hooker lay. Kylis stood
up, motionless, then bending down he found out how he lay by his
breathing. His eyes were becoming accustomed to the darkness, and he saw
a faint outline of Hooker's form.
Suddenly, quickly, with a panther-like spring, Kylis was on top of the
sleeping man. His strong left hand felt for the throat, and caught it in
a grip of iron; the black raised his right hand and struck home at his
victim's heart. A faint gurgling sound was heard, a convulsive shudder,
and then Amos Hooker lay still for ever.
Kylis crawled about the tent hunting for the bag of gold. He dragged the
body off the bed, pulled it over, and in another minute had the bag in
his hand. He made his way out of the tent and disappeared in the
darkness.
Next morning Amos Hooker was found stabbed to the heart, and Kylis had
vanished.
Miah was questioned, but it was evident the terrified black knew nothing
about the deed. Search was made for the murderer, but there was not much
heart put into the work.
Some of the pearlers showed plainly they were not at all sorry Amos
Hooker was gone from their midst. He had bullied everyone in the
settlement and was generally disliked.
"I wonder what Kylis did it for," said one man.
"He had good reason for it, no doubt; Amos was a devil where blacks were
concerned," answered another.