PEARLS 225 



' Pearl-divers are more susceptible to the charms of 

 wayward Fortune than those who have not realised 

 the thrill of expectancy with which a huge gold-lip, 

 encrusted with coral and swathed with seaweed, is 

 seized. It may contain a gem worth a king's ransom, 

 or but an animal which, though it may be crossed in 

 love, is not engaging in appearance or in any feature 

 or quality commendable. There is the chance; and 

 it appeals to most rational men. Secretive Fortune 

 lures on, promising the bubble pearl and proffering 

 that which satisfieth not, until the stress and perils 

 of the avocation tell on the enthusiast, who finds him- 

 self not exuberant as wont ; that Fortune has been 

 tricking him; that in the pursuit of pearls Chance is 

 oft repellent; and that the prize which seemed impos- 

 sible to avoid has eluded the most devoted seekers. 



It may be that my captain did not seek his pearls 

 with zeal beyond that which is common to the calling 

 the world over; but that his enthusiasm beguiled him 

 into remote and odd parts of the Barrier, that he became 

 familiar with rare scenes (denied to all save submarine 

 adventurers in tropical waters), that he was oft in peril 

 of his life, and that he could pause in the midst of 

 strenuous, nerve-racking work to watch the never- 

 ceasing hostilities of the denizens of the sea, may not 

 be questioned. 



Not long before he passed away he told of one of his 

 adventures in a few hurried words, after the manner 

 of one who loves not to dwell on personal reminiscences, 

 save as a text for the rectification of popular error in 

 respect of sensational happenings. The story is here 

 repeated, for it throws light on an incident which sent 

 one ship of warfare on dubious patrol, and reveals the 

 manner of the men who sought pearls in the old days. 



"Have you found that pearl?" he asked smilingly; 



15 



