"The native boys certainly do deserve a handsome present from the owner of the Mahina ," replied the chief officer, emphasising the word "owner." "They have worked with an energy that I alone, perhaps, can understand. And I can assure you that, with every facility to steal, not a single pearl has been taken by them. Their honesty is above suspicion."
"I am sure of it, my dear fellow," answered Rawlings effusively, "and they shall be treated properly by me, I can assure you. Twelve thousand pounds' worth of pearls----"
"Say sixteen," said Barry; "my estimate of their value is based on the price they would fetch in the colonies or Singapore--not London or Amsterdam."
"Just so. Well, sixteen thousand pounds' worth of pearls, and thirty thousand pounds' worth of shell is a big haul in less
