62 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



ducted Jack to the shore of a creek in the state of 

 New Jersey, not far from his own park at Milk 

 Pond. It was in the month of June, and it was so 

 warm that he determined upon taking a bath ; so 

 he stripped without more ado and plunged into the 

 water. As he was gambolling about, he picked up 

 some oysters with his hands, and bringing them 

 ashore he drew his knife, and proceeded to open 

 half-a-dozen. "What was his astonishment when 

 on opening the shells of the first he perceived 

 a pearl, whose beauty, size, and water so delighted 

 him, that he uttered a cry of joy. After having 

 carefully detached and examined it. Jack opened the 

 rest of the oysters, and found three more in the 

 remaining five, all however of smaller size than the 

 first. " Good God ! '^ he cried, " is it possible that 

 I have discovered a new California ? Let us see, 

 however, if this be not mere chance." At this 

 moment, a big hulking fellow appeared calling out 

 " Shares ! " It was one of those Vhoys of whom 

 mention has been already made. Jack turned 

 round, and found the intruder standing at the 

 entrance of a cave in the rock, where he had been 

 concealed and whence he had seen all that had 

 happened, and overheard the imprudent words of 

 the fisherman. 



"Shares?-'^ cried Jack. "Why, what do you 

 mean ? " 



" Oh ! it won't do to turn spiteful with me. I've 



