at they were diving three miles from here,
and could see the brig's masts quite distinctly. I warned them to be
careful. As for the pearls, I am afraid I must show them to you after
all, I am so tired of looking at them by myself. There are over sixty
now for the necklace--nearly every one of which is a perfect match with
the rest. I have them apart from the others in a box of soft white
wood which Pani made for me, and I have called the box 'Rose Maynard's
Dot.'

"Now I must tell you some other news. Yesterday two ships were seen a
long, long way off to the westward. I have no doubt but they are the
first of the sperm whalers making south again towards New Caledonia and
the New Hebrides. We are sure to see several more, and if any of them
come within eight or ten miles, I could have a letter sent off for
you--it would perhaps get to Sydney long before the _Mahina_--and just
imagine how delighted _some one_ would be to hear from you."

So Barry wrote two long letters, one to Rose, and one to Watson,
telling them both that he hoped to see them in less than six months.
To Watson he told the whole of the strange tragedy of the _Mahina_, and
of the marvellous escape of Mrs. Tracey.

"Do not tell Miss Maynard all these horrors," he added; "it would only
cause her intense anxiety, and I have only said that Mrs. Tracey's
husband is dead, and that she is returning to Sydney in the brig. I am
in hopes we may run across a man-of-war; if so I can get rid of these
gallows' birds for a time, at any rate, before they are brought to
trial. Good-bye and good luck."

He sent the letters down to Tebuan by Velo that night, and then work
went on with renewed energy--Barry with the boats, Rawlings and the
Greek amid the stench of the decaying oysters on the sandbank; and
Barradas, silent, grim, and determined, attended to the brig, and began
to prepare her for sea again, assisted by the four white seamen.

Then came the time when the divers ceased from work, and the last
boatloads of shell were landed on the islet; for the little brig had as
much as she could carry with safety stowed in her holds, and was deeper
in the water than she had ever been since the day she was launched.

And that evening, whilst Rawlings and the boatswain were ashore at the
village, bathing in fresh water from a native well, Barradas and the
steward were quietly at work in the trade room, opening a case of
Snider carbines, quickly cleaning and