"If you are fair and square, you shall have it," said Kylis. "I want some money down, and more when it is sold." "How much do you want?" "Twenty pounds each," said Kylis. Amos swore they should have no such sum. "Forty pounds!" he exclaimed, "I may not get that for the pearl." "You'll get a big lump for it," said Kylis. "Hand it over and let me look at it." The black laughed, and shook his head. "Where is it?" asked Amos. "Safe, you cannot find it." "I have not come here to kick up a row, but I mean to handle that pearl; if you do not give it me I'll drive you out of the settlement; I can easily do it, most of them would rather have your room than your company." "Much good it would do you," replied Kylis, "because the pearl would go with us." "Will you hand it over?" "For twenty pounds each, and twenty more when you sell it." "I'll not give it. Hand it over," said Amos, savagely, drawing his revolver. "If you shoot you will never find it," said Kylis. Amos levelled the weapon at him, and Miah slunk back to the other side of the tent. Kylis did not quail, he was certain Amos would not shoot. "If you don't put the revolver down I'll smash the pearl," said the black. Amos lowered it and said, with an evil scowl-- "I have not so much money, I cannot give it you now. Listen to me. You cannot sell the pearl, I can, what is the good of keeping it?" Kylis knew this was correct. Amos had a far better chance of disposing of it than they had. "What will you give us?" asked Kylis. "Ten pounds each, and twenty pounds each if I sell it for a good price." Kylis called to Miah, who told him to take it. They agreed to this, and Amos Hooker went to get the money, well satisfied with his bargain, for he had no intention of giving them any more money when he sold it. When Amos left the tent Kylis said-- "We'll let him have it, I can get it back again." "How?" "Never mind. I'll have it or----" "What?" "I'll have his life. He's a brute." Miah shivered, he knew Kylis would be as good as his word. Amos came back with the money in gold, and placed it on a box. "Now give me the pearl," he said. Kylis handed it to him, and snatched up the money. Amos Hooker looked at the pearl for some time; he was surprised at its size and purity, he had never seen one like it before, it would be difficult to dispose of. There was one man he might get a fair price from, Silas Filey, but he hardly knew how to approach him. Silas was acquainted with some of his past life and could make things very unpleasant for him if he chose. He left the tent with the pearl, satisfied that he had in his possession a gem worth a thousand pounds at least. If he only ventured to Fremantle with it and offered it for open sale he would get much more; this, however, he dare not do.