“Such trifles grow in small shellfish, which we do not open, but throw back into the sea to allow them to grow. Those which you have are dead. The life is gone from them. We know how to keep all our pearls alive by bathing them in the salt water,” he said. Then he asked. “What is on the other end of this yellow chain?” I exhibited my watch and explained its use. He was greatly excited over this trinket, especially when I showed him the wheels and how to keep them going by winding. I thought it good policy to make him a present of the watch, which was a cheap affair, and he accepted it with evidences of joy and gave me in return a necklace of pearls worth a fortune. When he left us he said: “You must tell me more of your wonderful land and your wise people, for truly you are able to teach me much.” He paused on his way out and came slowly back to us. “Tell me how my people can be safe from your stings,” he begged. “By keeping a long distance away from them,” I replied promptly. “Is there no other way?” “None, your Majesty.” “My chief Medicine Man, Kuru, thought that if we made shields of bark, and carried them before us, the stings would not hurt.” That explained the work we had seen the natives doing in the forest. But I hastened to assure King Attero that such shields were useless, as when they came neat to our guns the bullets would go through them easily. “Then,” said he, in a grieved tone, “many of my people will die, for they will make the attack to-morrow morning.” “Can you not send swift messengers and stop them?” I asked anxiously. “I will not do that,” he answered, “for it is not good to give one order to change another. But I will spend the night in beseeching the great Pearl God to protect my people from the pale-skins. Our god has never yet failed us.” With that he left us and we saw no more of him until the following afternoon. When he entered our room then, the boy king was more cheerful of countenance and stepped more firmly and proudly than ever. “The Pearl God told me not to fear, for all would be well with my people,” he announced. I looked at him curiously. Could one so naturally intelligent really believe some mythical god had spoken to him? But it is not safe to question anyone’s religion. Ignoring the point I asked: “Have you heard news of the battle?” “Yes. Many of my warriors have been killed, and your ship has not yet been captured. But they are still fighting.” I heard this report with pleasure, and Joe shouted: “Hooray!” The king did not seem annoyed. “If we do not succeed to-day, we will to-morrow,” he prophesied, with cool assurance. “For to-morrow I shall go to the battle myself, and carry with me our greatest Chieftain, known as the Crooked One.” “May we go, also?” I inquired, eagerly. He considered the request thoughtfully. Then he replied: