Amos Hooker had no relish for this situation. He was the best man at Shark's Bay amongst the fishers, and he felt if he gave way too easily his authority would be diminished. It would never do to give in without some show of bluster, so he said, "If the Governor owned the schooners, you have no right to come here. What's become of that fool, Jacob Rank? We soon cleared him out, and a nice crew he had with him; I suppose you know he got left?" "We heard he was drowned," said Danks. Amos Hooker laughed as he replied,-- "Not him, the devils put him ashore in some bay in the North-West, and he's there now, if the natives have not made a meal off him." This was good news to Jack and Danks, but they betrayed no surprise. "Then we may find him when we go north," replied Phil. "You are not going to stop here?" questioned Amos, eagerly. "It all depends upon our luck, and how you and your mates behave." "Leave the pearling alone and we shall not interfere." "That's very likely," replied Phil, "we have not come five hundred miles for the benefit of our health." "Then you mean to fish?" "Yes, and you cannot stop us." "We'll see about that when you start," replied Amos, but he spoke in such a tone that Phil Danks knew he had given in and was merely showing off before the men, who had drawn nearer. "Come on board and talk it over," suggested Danks. Amos turned to his mates and said,-- "I've received an invitation, boys, shall I accept it? You know Phil Danks, he wants me to board his schooner to talk about the fishing, shall I go?" "Please yourself," answered one man, "but we don't want any interlopers here, it's hard enough to get a living as it is, without a lot of strangers coming along." "I'll come," said Amos, and he stepped into the boat. When they reached the "Heron," Amos Hooker looked around, and saw, from the appearance of the schooner and the crew that they meant business. He also recognised that the combined crews would prove more than a match for the fishers of Shark's Bay. Evidently it was the best policy to secure any favours that were to be had. "You did not tell me the name of the man who owns these schooners," he said. "Barry Tuxford," replied Phil, who thought it better to deal with the man, as he knew more about the ways of these people than either Jack or Harry. Amos Hooker seemed surprised as he replied,-- "He's gone in for pearling, that's rather out of his line, is it not? What is his little game?" "His little game, as you call it, is pearls, and he means to have some, or rather we intend to find them for him. I am sure you will recognise the fact that it will be far better for you to help us than put obstacles in our way." "He's a clever man, but he's made a mistake this time; there's precious few pearls to be found here now, and what we do get are not worth much, they are the wrong colour."