Page:Barbour--Joan of the ilsand.djvu/301

Rh your ground a bit and you may fall right into 'em—as you have done, evidently."

Chester took off his pith helmet, ran his fingers through his hair and developed a comical expression.

"This sort of makes a difference in our plans," he said, looking from one to the other.

"You've got your divers on board still?" Keith asked.

Chester nodded. The same thought had inevitably occurred to him.

"And you know exactly where you found this last lot of shell?"

"Certainly, and there's plenty of time to have another shot there to-day."

Five minutes later the ketch was once more standing out toward the reef, with the whale-boat trailing astern. Joan, also, had now caught the pearl fever, and there was a strained intensity about the white members of the party when the Kestrel was anchored. For two hours hardly a word was spoken while shell was brought to the surface and examined with minute care. Evening was already beginning to approach when Chester gave a shout.

"Here's one," he cried, picking out a pearl from the heart of an oyster, "a pearl fit for a queen to wear! Keith, do you realize that we've struck a fortune?"

"Sure, there's a pile of money here, and I'd like to be the first to congratulate you."