The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-02-27
The Rainbow Pearl

the clubhouse you WANT, SAID Cdptdln
Ira, as he gave last deft twist to
the rope he was splicing. Then, with
a sudden, quick sweep Of his hand.
he drove the marlin-spike he had been
using deep into the heavy oak plank
Of the bench on which he sat.
"Say, but you're strong" blurted
out Tommy in open admiration. The
other nine boys who made up the
club, nodded their heads in assent to
this. #
"About that black pearl" began
Bobby, who, as you may know, Is
Tommy's twin brother ''Was it
real pearl, and how did 1t grow that
way, and please tell US why the
East Indian gave it to your
Captain Ira glanced out through the
window port on the starboard side Of
his houseboat. He thought. Then he
asked: do you see that new yacht
over there? It's the one with the
twinkling brass trimmings. Well,
was cabin boy on bark near about
her tonnage. The way came to be
there was that her captain picked me
off the sampan dock in Hongkong.
He took pity on me, believe, because
was such a little chap to be so near
starved, and showing il.
"In all my life the world never
looked better and brighter than it did
on the morning we set sail.
"The captain Of the barQue was
tall, sQuare-jawed Scot named Nc
Arthur. He was the kindliest, and
withall the fairest-minded of any
skipper under whom / ever sailed. He
was known all about the Southern is
lands for these same qualities and
whatever trading business was in hand,
Captain Macarthur would be certain
to win a goodly share Of it.
SIT was under these conditions that
we worked back and forth in the sea-
ward islands of an archipelago to the
south and east Of Borneo.
"There was one of these islands,
called by the natives Tahipeet,' on
which q town Of some size was set,
and about the coral reefs of which
many Of the finest pearls in the South
seas were taken. There also was fresh
water handy to the anchorage.
ut was during one Of our frequent
visits here that / went along with the
captain and party of sailors to one
Of the pearl-shell beds where the ma
tive divers were at work.
Eve stayed for a time and were
watching a copper-skinned boy OF
about my own age, who was one of
the most expert divers in the group.
"He had been down longer than
usual this time. Just as he started
his upward shove, a sharp fin cut the
surface of the water near us. 1t was
a shark. On he came. Up rose the
boy. Closer Closer A shout went up
| from the natives. It looked like GER
tain death for the boy. Then thought
| Of my boat hook. Grasping 1t firmly
in both hands, I lunged. The point
| of it jabbed the shark full In the mid
| die of the throat. AS his teeth snapped
| shut he was so near the native boy
that the toes of the boys right foot
were caught and crushed.
"In the meantime / had been tum-
bled overheard by the force of my
own blow.
"The sailors hove both Of US
aboard the yawl and, shortly after,
rowed back to the ship with us.
| Once there, got into some dry clothes.
AS to the native boy, our ship doctor
| treated his lascerated foot and we put
him to bed in spare berth in the
| after-cuddy. He was with us for three
days before the doctor would let him
| 90 home. 1t was about four bells on
the forward watch Of the third night
that I was awakened by soft native
voice whispering words which I did
not understand into my ear. Then
| a small packet was thrust into my
hand and the native boy left me.
Never again did / see him, for short
| ly after, we set sail from the island
| and a little later left those waters
to return no more.
"As you may have guessed, in the
| packet which the native boy gave me
was the black pearl. / carried 1t for
some years hung in a parchment bag
about my neck. When / came to be
man, sold it for many thousand
rupees to an East Indian prince. It
is still in the possession of his family
today and is called the Rainbow Pearl.
on account Of its unusual life and
brilliancy.
"With the money that pearl brought
me I bought my first boat, The Mer-
~ Ann Some other time I may tell
you how came to lose her and along
with her. very nearly, my life.
"And superstitious sailor men have
as much as told me that j could ex-
pect nothing better Of g, boat which
had been bought with money got from
the sale of gift-bui that's all as
may be. and as in way Of thinking"