months after the return of the "Endraght", who offered to take me as
first officer on the "Arms of Amsterdam", a new vessel upon which he
was about to make a second voyage of discovery to the South.

"It is not because we met no luck with the 'Endraght' that there is
nothing to be gained, Peter," he said. "There is an island I have heard
of which, if we can strike it, will make us rich men. Nothing venture,
nothing win, and there is little prospect here for a man like you to
make money by quill-driving."

His words impressed me, as well they might, for the love of adventure
was strong within me, and I reflected that in my present calling of a
merchant's clerk I could not hope to obtain an independence for many
years--perhaps not at all. De Decker, also, appeared anxious that I
should go. The sale of the pearls which the king of Pearl Island had
given Hartog had more than repaid the merchants for sending out the
"Endraght", and with the "Arms of Amsterdam" they hoped to accumulate
further treasure. I was influenced also by Hartog's description of the
Island of Gems, and the more I thought of the offer he had made me the
more I liked it. Finally, I agreed to sign on for this second voyage,
and, taking leave of Anna and my parents, I embarked upon the "Arms of
Amsterdam", and set sail once more for southern seas.



CHAPTER XI

A SECOND VOYAGE WITH HARTOG TO THE SOUTH