"I can get you them, but they are not very reliable. Still, if you treat them well I think they will be all right." "We will deal liberally with them," said Jack, "providing they work well." Amos Hooker saw a chance here. He had two black fellows who would do anything for him, and they were expert divers. "Do you wish to take any of them with you when you go north, if they turn out well?" he asked. "Yes," replied Jack, readily, "and they can be put in here on our return." "Then I'll try and fix it up for you," said Amos. The arrangements for sending out the boats with divers were soon completed, and while Amos was ashore they were at work in different parts of the bay. Amos Hooker's two blacks were half civilised, and had been employed as divers for a long time. They were wonderfully clever, and could remain under water for a very long time. Through these men, Amos Hooker had secured many a good pearl that ought not to have fallen to his share. He had no scruples in robbing his mates by means of these divers who had been with him on the "Mary Hatchett" when he stole the schooner and made several voyages on his own account. He had treated them well, and although they were a couple of scoundrels they were afraid of him, and at the same time curiously attached to him. He seemed to exercise great influence over them, and they evidently understood one another. They were tall strong men, and capable of great endurance. When Amos Hooker seized the "Mary Hatchett" they stood by him, and had it not been for their support his plan for taking the schooner would have failed. There were ugly tales afloat about the "Mary Hatchett," and Kylis and Miah, the two blacks, could have told a terrible story had they chosen. The schooner was lost a few months after Amos Hooker secured her, and it was probably as well for him that such was the case. He approached the men cautiously, and in a few words explained what was required of them. They spoke fairly good pigeon English, and it will be more understandable if properly translated. "We are to go to sea in the schooners?" said Kylis, a curious name, which in some parts takes the place of boomerang. "Yes, and you will have a good trip. There is plenty to eat and drink on board, and you will be well paid." "We go as divers?" asked Miah. "That is so; you are both clever at it." "Are you going?" asked Kylis. "No, of course not." "I thought perhaps you might be in want of another schooner," grinned the black. Amos cursed him, and bade him keep a guard on his tongue. "We are to do something for you?" asked Miah, who knew very well "the boss" had some game of his own to play.