ould delay the voyage to the Pearl Islands not for weeks, but for
months, to sail away to Asia, and then turn about and put back to the
southern seas, and during that interval what might not take place?
What assurance could there be that the precious pearl-bed would not be
devastated?

With the plans which Abe Storms had perfected on the way from home, it
was believed that a week's time after their arrival at their
destination would be sufficient to make them enormously wealthy, and
thus the voyage which they would afterward take to Japan would be
delayed only a month or two, perhaps. Furthermore, the parents and
friends of Inez would have every reason to believe she was in safe
hands, and would soon be restored to them. All these were weighty
considerations, it must be confessed, and they decided the question.

"We have done all that can be done," said Captain Bergen, standing at
the stern with his hand upon the wheel, while Abe Storms, thoughtfully
smoking his pipe, was at his elbow, with his arms folded and his eyes
gazing dreamily toward the western horizon, where the sun was about to
dip into the ocean.

"I agree with you," was the reply of his mate, who was as conscientious
in everything he did as was the captain. "I consider that the chance is
as one in a thousand that we shall meet the steamer this side of
Tokio, and if we undertake to follow, we shall lose several months
of most precious time, without accomplishing any commensurate good. The
child is contented and happy here."

As if to emphasize this assertion, the laugh of Inez was heard at that
moment as she came bounding up the steps of the cabin, and ran toward
the bow, where the giant negro, Pomp, was leaning against the
gunwale, his arms also folded, and an expression of contentment upon
his broad, shiny countenance.

The instant he caught sight of Inez his face lighted up and his white,
even teeth were displayed with pleasure, as she ran toward him.

It was singular, indeed, that, ever since her first awaking on board
the _Coral_, Inez had shown not a positive dislike of Redvig and
Brazzier, but what may be called a lack of friendship toward them. She
was trusting and loving to Pomp and the two officers, but it was
evident that she avoided the others. Possibly she could not have told
the reason had she tried, and it is equally possible that she was not
aware of it herself. But every one else on board saw it plainly.

When two men in authority ta