J. Allan Dunn

“ Flag of truce, you know.”
“You keep your hands up, just the same, Sayers,” commanded Chalmers. “You boys row in till you touch bottom. You'll have to wade ashore, Sayers. I'm taking no chances. Don't put down your hands till I tell you, and the first one who takes his hands off those oars gets a hole through him.”
The Kanakas rowed carefully into the shallows and the Australian got out awkwardly into the water, his hands above his head.
“I'm not armed, Chalmers,” he said. “I'm trusting you.”
“I'm not trusting you,” retorted Chalmers sternly. “Come on up on the beach. That's close enough. ”

“ I want to get shut of Tuan Yuck, and off this island. If you want to come back to the lagoon later, well and good. The girl's got plenty to pay all expenses and set us all three up.
“Now here's my proposition. Split the pearls into three shares. That means one for me and two for you if you play your cards right. Hold on! No offense, I tell you. I'm just using my eyes. A blind man could see she's in love with you—and ought to be after all you've done for her.”
“Go on,” said Chalmers grimly.
“Now don't go to getting huffy, Chalmers. I'm talking sense. I deserve something. ”

“ As the Australian showed his shoulders, Chalmers walked up to him, placed the muzzle of his pistol in the small of his back with a convincing firmness and, taking his left arm from the sling, felt for any weapons the other might carry.
“Honor bright,” said Sayers. “I'm playing fair. Glad your arm isn't entirely out of commission. You put Tuan Yuck properly on the shelf. ”

“ You can't leave here without the schooner. Now what do you say?”
Chalmers said nothing but motioned toward the boat.
“I'm too high, am I?” asked" Sayers. “Then cut my share in half. You can land me anywhere you want to where I can get in touch with the outside and go on. Don't be a fool. Say the word and I'll agree to turn over Tuan Yuck. He's doped with opium now in his cabin.”
“Call the boat in, Leila,” said Chalmers.
“Hold on, now. The girl's got some say in the matter. Do the fair thing, miss,” said Sayers as the girl came within easy earshot. “Make it your own terms. ”

“ And I wouldn't trust myself on that schooner with him for sour apples.
“Now see here, Chalmers.” He leaned forward, trying to speak convincingly. “You've got Tuan Yuck sized up. You couldn't believe anything he promised. You've made a fool of him into the bargain. He's crazy mad to get even. His head is so stiff from that wallop he can't move it. And those eyes of his ain't pleasant company at the best of times. Now you can trust me because I've got to trust you. I'll give you the best of it.
“I don't believe there's any more rich shell in that lagoon. ”

“ Did you see any signs of them?”
“Neither sight nor sound.”
“Well, we've got all the spare ammunition. That shoe that pinched is on their foot now.
“What did you do with your pearls last night?” he asked later, as they ate their breakfast.
“I buried them in the cave. I've got them on now.” She pointed to the ribbon about her neck. “If dad hadn't worked so hard to get them and planned what they were going to mean for me, I'd give them up if they'd only go away and give us a chance to follow later. I'm a little afraid of this island after that earthquake.” ”

“ It won't do for either of us to watch all night and be sleepy all day. We can split the night up into tricks. It isn't dark until seven and the days are getting longer. We'll make the first watch from dark until midnight, then midnight to four in the morning, and a short trick from four until daylight. We can make up lost sleep in the afternoons. ”