noon
They took both trading goods and money with them , in order to make payments to the natives , and when they stepped down into the prau and the Malays shoved off , the boys led the crew in three hearty cheers . Out flashed the long Malay sweeps , and with final shouts ringing over the water , the prau swiftly moved off toward the river mouth . Mart and Bob watched the three stalwart khaki-clad figures standing erect amid the brown men , and followed the prau with their glasses until it was lost around the first projection of the river bank Bob little dreamed what would transpire before he was to see his father 's face again ! The officers ' mess was sadly depleted that noon , only Jerry , the boys , and the Scotch engineer remaining . By this time the old quartermaster had openly announced his intention of getting after the Pirate Shark , so the boys had no hesitation in broaching the subject and asking his plans . `` Well , '' returned Jerry , gazing mildly at the engineer , `` first off , we 'll lay the yacht over that there wreck I was tellin ' you lads about -- you mind that wreck , lads , eight fathom down ? Rock bottom it is , coral rock , down there among the fish .