which
Mr. Storms directed the vessel. As the _Coral_ glided into this
"inland sea," Captain Bergen took the helm, being as familiar with the
contour of the atoll as if he had spent a dozen years upon it. He knew
where the best anchorage was to be found, and he headed over toward
the eastern shore, where it was safe to run close enough in to spring
from the deck to the land. He was a good seaman, and he brought his
craft to with as much skill as a stage-driver brings his team to a
halt before the door of an inn. The anchor was let go at the proper
moment, and the _Coral_ slowly swung at her mooring in the very
position her master desired, both bow and stern being so close to
shore that there would be no occasion to use the small boat which is
generally called into requisition on such occasions.

The scenery and situation were peculiar and novel in the highest
degree. These atolls are the natural harbors of the ocean, and if any
vessel can run through the openings into the calm waters within, she
may ride in safety from the severest tempest.

The water within the lagoon was as calm as the surface of a mill-pond.
On every hand rose the trees and vegetation so dense that the only
portion where a glimpse of the ocean could be caught was at the
entrance, which, it would seem, the builders of the island had left on
purpose for the ingress and exit of endangered shipping.

Despite the alarming discovery which Captain Bergen had made but a
short time previous, he carried out the purpose formed weeks before,
and which the mate urged him to fulfil. The schooner having been
secured in position and everything put in ship-shape order, he
addressed the three men who composed the crew:

"My friends, when I engaged you to go upon this voyage, I did not tell
you whither, and you may think it is late in the day to give you such
information, now that we have reached our destination. Some time ago,
before I sailed, I received information that a bed of oysters existed
at a certain portion of this island unusually rich in pearls. It is
to obtain them I have come, and now I wish to say, what I determined
to say from the first, that if you work faithfully, and give me all
the assistance you can, each of you three shall receive enough to make
you rich for life. In an enterprise of this kind the business is a
partnership, and you shall be liberally treated, provided you prove
worthy."

During the utterance of these words, both the captain