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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dutch the Diver, by George Manville Fenn
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Dutch the Diver
+       A Man's Mistake
+
+Author: George Manville Fenn
+
+Release Date: July 13, 2011 [EBook #36724]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DUTCH THE DIVER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+Dutch the Diver
+A Man's Mistake
+By George Manville Fenn
+Published by Cassell and Company Limited, London.
+This edition dated 1883.
+Dutch the Diver, by George Manville Fenn.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+DUTCH THE DIVER, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER ONE.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE--DUTCH THE DIVER.
+
+AT THE DIVER'S OFFICE.
+
+"I say, Rasp.  Confound the man!  Rasp, will you leave that fire alone?
+Do you want to roast me?"
+
+"What's the good o' you saying will I leave the fire alone, Mr Pug?"
+said the man addressed, stoking savagely at the grate; "you know as well
+as I do that if I leave it half hour you never touches it, but lets it
+go out."
+
+Half a scuttle of coals poured on.
+
+"No, no.  No more coals, Rasp."
+
+"They're on now, Mr Pug," said Rasp, with a grim grin.  "You know how
+the governor grumbles if the fire's out, and it's me as ketches it."
+
+"The office is insufferably hot now."
+
+"Good job, too; for it's cold enough outside, I can tell you; and
+there's a draught where I sits just as if you'd got yer ear up again the
+escape-valve of the air-pump."
+
+"Get a screen, then," said the first speaker, impatiently, as he
+scratched his thick, curly, crisp brown hair with the point of a pair of
+compasses, and gazed intently at a piece of drawing-paper pinned out
+upon the desk before him.
+
+"Screen?  Bah!  What do I want wi' screens?  I can stand wind and cold,
+and a bit o' fire, too, for the matter o' that.  I ain't like some
+people."
+
+"Hang it all, Rasp, I wish you'd go," said the first speaker.  "You see
+how busy I am.  What's the matter with you this morning?  Really, you're
+about the most disagreeable old man I ever knew."
+
+"Disagreeable?  Old?" cried Rasp, seizing the poker, and inserting it in
+the bars for another good stoke at the office fire, when the compasses
+were banged down on the desk, their owner leaped off the stool, twisted
+the poker out of the stoker's hand, and laughingly threw it down on the
+fender.
+
+"I'll get Mr Parkley to find you a post somewhere as fireman at a
+furnace," said the first speaker, laughing.
+
+"I don't want no fireman's places," growled Rasp.  "How'd the work go on
+here wi'out me?  Old, eh?  Disagreeable, eh!  Sixty ain't so old,
+nayther; and just you wear diving soots for forty year, and get your
+head blown full o' wind till you're 'most ready to choke, and be always
+going down, and risking your blessed life, and see if you wouldn't soon
+be disagreeable."
+
+"Well, Rasp, I've been down pretty frequently, and in as risky places as
+most men of my age, and it hasn't made me such an old crab."
+
+"What, you?  Bah!  Nothing puts you out--nothing makes you cross 'cept
+too much fire, and you do get waxey over that.  But you try it for forty
+year--forty year, you know, and just see what you're like then, Mr
+Pug."
+
+"Confound it all, Rasp," cried the younger man, "that's the third time
+in the last ten minutes that you've called me Pug.  My name is Pugh--
+PUGH--Pugh."
+
+"'Taint," said the old fellow, roughly, "I ain't lived sixty year in the
+world, and don't know how to spell.  PEW spells _pew_, and PUGH spells
+_pug_, with the H at the end and wi'out it, so you needn't tell me."
+
+"You obstinate old crab," said the other, good-humouredly, as he stopped
+him from making another dash at the poker.  "There, be off, I'm very
+busy."
+
+"You allus are busy," growled the old fellow; "you'll get your brains
+all in a muddle wi' your figuring and drawing them new dodges and plans.
+No one thinks the better o' you, no matter how hard you works.  It's my
+opinion, Mr Dutch--there, will that suit yer, as you don't like to be
+called Mr Pug?"
+
+"There, call me what you like, Rasp, you're a good, old fellow, and I
+shall never forget what you have done for me."
+
+"Bah!  Don't talk stuff," cried the old fellow, snappishly.
+
+"Stuff, eh?" said the other, laughing, as he took up his compasses, and
+resumed his seat.  "Leave--that--fire--alone!" he cried, seizing a heavy
+ruler, and shaking it menacingly as the old man made once more for the
+poker.  "And now, hark here--Mrs Pugh says you are to come out to the
+cottage on Sunday week to dinner, and spend the day."
+
+"Did she say that?  Did she say that, Mr Dutch?" cried the old man,
+with exultation.
+
+"Yes, she wants to have a long chat with the man who saved her husband's
+life."
+
+"Now, what's the good o' talking such stuff as that, Mr Pug?" cried the
+old man, angrily.  "Save life, indeed!  Why, I only come down and put a
+rope round you.  Any fool could ha' done it."
+
+"But no other fool would risk his life as you did yours to save mine,
+Rasp," said the younger man, quietly.  "But, there, we won't talk about
+it.  It gives me the horrors.  Now, mind, you're to come down on Sunday
+week."
+
+"I ain't comin' out there to be buttered," growled the old fellow,
+sourly.
+
+"Buttered, man?"
+
+"Well, yes--to be talked to and fussed and made much of by your missus,
+Master Dutch."
+
+"Nonsense!"
+
+"'Taint nonsense.  There, I tell you what, if she'll make a contract not
+to say a word about the accident, and I may sit and smoke a pipe in that
+there harbour o' yourn, I'll come."
+
+"Arbour at this time of the year, Rasp?" laughed the younger man.  "Why,
+it's too cold."
+
+"What's that to do wi' it?  Just as if I couldn't stand cold.  Deal
+better than you can heat."
+
+"Then I shall tell her you are coming, Rasp.  What would you like for
+dinner?"
+
+"Oh, anything'll do for the likes o' me.  I ain't particular."
+
+"No, but you may as well have what you like for dinner."
+
+"Oh, I ain't particular.  Have just what you like.  But if there was a
+morsel o' tripe on the way I might pick a bit."
+
+"Good!" said the other, smiling, "you shall have some tripe for dinner
+for one thing."
+
+"Don't you get letting it be got o' purpose for me.  Anything'll do for
+me--a bit o' sooetty pudden, for instance."
+
+"All right, Rasp.  Tripe and suet pudding on Sunday week."
+
+"If ever there was," said Rasp, thoughtfully, as he made an offer to get
+at the poker, "a woman as was made to be a beautiful angel, and didn't
+turn out to be one because they forgot her wings, that's your missus,
+Master Dutch."
+
+"Thank you, Rasp, old fellow, thank you," said the young man, smiling;
+and his eyes brightened as he listened to this homely praise of the
+woman he worshipped.
+
+"But what's a puzzle to me," continued the old fellow, with a grim
+chuckle, "is how she as is so soft, and fair, and dark-haired, and
+gentle, could take up with such a strong, broad-shouldered chap as you,
+Mr Dutch."
+
+"Yes, it was strange," said the young man.
+
+"I should more like have expected to see you pair off wi' Captain
+Studwick's lass--Miss Bessy.  Now, she's a fine gal, if you like."
+
+"Yes, she's a fine, handsome girl, Rasp; and her father's very proud of
+her, too."
+
+"I should just think he ought to be," said Rasp.  "Why, it's my belief,
+if any chap offended her, she'd give him such a clap aside o' the head
+as would make his ears ring."
+
+"I don't know about that, Rasp," laughed the other; "but I do believe
+whoever wins her will have a true-hearted Englishwoman for his wife."
+
+"O' course he will, else she wouldn't be the skipper's lass.  Bless
+her!--she's always got a nice, pleasant word to say to a man when she
+comes here with her father.  He used to think you meant to make up to
+her, Master Dutch."
+
+"Nonsense, man, nonsense!"
+
+"Oh, but he did; and then this other affair came off.  I never could
+understand it, though."
+
+"Ah, it was a problem, eh?" laughed the younger man.
+
+"For you ain't good-looking, are you, sir?"
+
+"Not at all, Rasp," laughed the other.  "We should neither of us get the
+prize for beauty, eh, Rasp?"
+
+"_I_ should think not," said Rasp: "but I always was the ugliest man our
+way.  I think she took to you because you were so straight, and stout,
+and strong."
+
+"Perhaps so, Rasp."
+
+"I've heerd say, as the more gentle, and soft, and tender a woman is,
+the more she likes a fellow as is all big bone and muscle, so as to take
+care of her, you know.  That must ha' been it, sir," continued the old
+fellow, chuckling, "unless she took a fancy to your name.  Ho! ho! ho!"
+
+"No, I don't think it was that, Rasp, my man," said the other, quietly.
+
+"More don't I, sir; Dutch Pug.  Ho! ho! ho!"
+
+"Dutch Drayson Pugh, Master Rasp."
+
+"Pug's bad enough," said the old fellow; "but Dutch!  What did they call
+you Dutch for?"
+
+"It was a whim of my father," said the other.  "My grandfather married a
+lady in Holland, and in memory of the alliance my father said--so I've
+often been told--that as I was a fair, sturdy little fellow, like a
+Dutch burgomaster in miniature, I should be called Dutch; and that is my
+name, Mr Rasp, at your service."
+
+"Well, you can't help it now, sir, any more than you can the Pug; but if
+it had been me I should have called myself Drayson."
+
+"And seemed ashamed of the name my dear old father gave me, Rasp!  No,
+I'm not the man for that," said Dutch, warmly.
+
+"No, sir, you ain't," said Rasp, in a more respectful tone, as he looked
+at the colour flaming up in the younger man's cheeks, and in his heart
+of hearts acknowledged that he was not such a bad-looking fellow after
+all; for, though far from handsome, he was bold, bluff, and Saxon of
+aspect, broad-shouldered, and evidently Herculean in strength, though,
+from his deep build and fine proportions, in no wise heavy.
+
+Now, on the other hand, Rasp was a decidedly plain man, rough, rugged,
+grizzled, and with eyebrows and whiskers of the raggedest nature
+possible.  Their peculiar bristly quality was partaken of also by his
+hair, which, though cut short, was abundant; and though you might have
+brushed it to your heart's content, it was as obstinate as its owner,
+for it never lay in any direction but that it liked.
+
+At this point Rasp, who was a favoured old servant of the firm in which
+Dutch Pugh held a confidential post, made another attempt to stoke the
+fire, was turned on his flank, and retreated, leaving the young man to
+busily resume the drawing of a plan for some piece of machinery.
+
+It was a dark, gloomy-looking room, that in which he worked, for the one
+window opened upon the narrow street of the busy sea-port of Ramwich;
+and a heavy, yellow fog hung over the town, and made the office look
+gloomy and full of shadow.
+
+The place was fitted up as a private office, and near the window was
+placed one of those great double-sloped desks, so arranged that four
+people could stand, or sit upon the high leather-covered stools, and
+write at it at the same time.  A wide level divided the two slopes, and
+this was dominated by brass rails, beneath which stood a couple of those
+broad, flat, pewter inkstands common in commercial offices, and which in
+this case it was Rasp's delight to keep clean.
+
+There were other objects about the gloomy office, though, upon which
+Rasp bestowed his time; for in three places, fitted on stands, and
+strapped to the wall to prevent their falling forward, were what looked
+at first sight, as they peered from the gloom, like so many suits of
+grotesque armour; for what light there was gleamed from the huge
+polished helmets, with their great brass, latticed goggle glass eyes--
+whose crests were tubes, and ornamentation glistening rims and studs of
+copper.  A nervous person coming upon them in the dark might easily have
+been startled, for, with a certain grim idea of humour, Rasp had by
+degrees so arranged them that they leaned forward in peculiarly
+life-like positions--the hand of one holding a copper lantern, another
+being in the act of striking with a massive hatchet, and the third
+poising a huge crowbar in a menacing mode.
+
+Farther back in the gloom stood a strange-looking air-pump; while in
+various directions, coiled and trailed like snakes, great lengths of
+india-rubber tubing, apparently in disorder, but really carefully kept
+ready for instant use, this being Rasp's special task, of which he was
+proud to a degree.
+
+"This is a teaser," said Dutch to himself, after making sundry lines on
+the paper before him, and then pausing, compasses in one hand, pen in
+the other.  "Valve A to close tube B--escape-valve at A dash--small
+copper globe at B dash, as a reservoir, and--hum--ha--yes--to be sure,
+small stop-cock in the middle of the copper tube at H.  That's it!  I've
+got it at last."
+
+"Of course you have--I knew you would," said a short quick voice.
+
+Dutch started, and turned sharply round, to confront the little,
+square-built man who had entered the office quietly, and stood peering
+over his shoulder.
+
+"Ah, Mr Parkley!  I didn't hear you come in," said Dutch, smiling.
+
+"Too busy over your work," said the new-comer, who seemed all hat and
+comforter, from between which peered a pair of keen, restless eyes.  "I
+knew you'd work that out, Dutch, or else I shouldn't have given you the
+job.  Dutch Pugh, I'd give something for your cleverness with pen and
+pencil.  Look at me, sir, a man dragged up instead of brought up--a man
+who never signs his name because he can't write decently--a man who can
+hardly read a newspaper, unless the type's big.  Ignorant, ignorant to a
+degree--a man--"
+
+"Of sound judgment, sir," said Dutch, interrupting him, "who from the
+power of his brain and long experience has suggested more improvements
+in hydraulic machinery than any of our greatest scientists, and who has
+not only originated and made his great business, but whose opinion is
+sought from everywhere in all great diving cases."
+
+"Stuff--stuff--stuff, Dutch!  I'm ashamed of my ignorance."
+
+"And who is one of the wealthiest men in Ramwich."
+
+"Gammon and flattery, Dutch, my lad," said the other, taking off his
+great hat to place it jauntily on one of the diving-helmets, and then
+returning into the light, with his broad bald head shining, and his
+dark, restless eyes twinkling good-humouredly.  "Here, catch hold of
+that," he continued, thrusting one hand into his chest, and dragging out
+the fringed end of his white woollen comforter.
+
+Dutch Pugh laid down his compasses, smiling, and took hold of the end of
+the comforter, when its wearer began slowly to turn round before the
+fire, as if he was being roasted, unwinding about three yards of
+comforter from his neck, and then giving a sigh of relief as he again
+went into the back part of the office, and hung the woollen wrap round
+one of the diver's necks.
+
+"I've managed to make bread and cheese, Pugh--bread and cheese," he
+said, chuckling, as he came back, climbed upon a stool by that of his
+assistant, and sat with his hands on his knees.  "Yes, bread and cheese;
+beef and horse-radish.  Pugh, how's the little wife?"
+
+"Quite well, Mr Parkley," said Dutch, smiling.
+
+"That's right, bless her!  Tell her I'm coming down to spend a Sunday
+soon."
+
+"We shall only be too glad, sir," said Dutch, smiling.  "When shall it
+be?"
+
+"Soon, man; but not yet.  Too busy.  I've got this big job on," he
+continued, rubbing his bald head, which looked as if he had worn a
+diver's helmet till all the hair had been frayed off.  "Oh, here's a
+letter."
+
+For just then Rasp came into the office, not quietly, like his master--
+who walked slowly and heavily, as if putting down boots with massive
+leaden soles, and seemed as if he were wading through deep water, and
+liable to get entangled amongst sunken rigging--but with a bang and a
+rush like a big wind, and even made the letter he held in his hand
+rustle as he held it out to Mr Parkley, saying, with a surly snarl--
+
+"Letter.  Answer.  Waiting."
+
+Then, uttering a snort, he walked across to the diving suits, snatched
+off Mr Parkley's hat, whisked off the comforter, and dabbed them both
+on a hat-peg close at hand; after which he took out a large blue-check
+cotton pocket-handkerchief drew forward a set of short steps, and,
+growling as he did so, began to breathe on the bright copper, gave it a
+good polishing, and then went off to his den.
+
+"See that?" said Mr Parkley, nodding his head sideways at Rasp, as he
+went out--but not until he had seized the poker, rammed it between the
+bars with a scientific twist, and made the blaze go dancing up the
+chimney.  "See that, Pugh!  He's the real master here.  He's a tyrant."
+
+"Well, really, sir, he has his own way pretty well."
+
+"Rare stuff though, Pugh, my dear boy--rare stuff.  That man's one you
+can always trust in any emergency.  I'd leave my life in his hands at
+any time."
+
+"I know that, sir," said Dutch, warmly.  "He is as true as steel."
+
+"Right, Pugh, my dear boy--right.  But look here," he continued,
+thrusting a finger in the young man's button-hole, "I wish you would
+drop that `sir' to me.  I don't like it.  I'm only a business fellow,
+and you've had the education of a gentleman, and I feel sometimes as if
+I ought to say `sir' to you."
+
+"My dear sir--"
+
+"There you go again."
+
+"Well, my dear Mr Parkley, then, I have you to thank for so much
+kindness."
+
+"Stuff! stuff! stuff!" cried the elder, laying his hand playfully on his
+mouth.  "You came to me to help me, and I was to pay you for that help.
+Well, look here, Pugh, you've been no end of value to me, and get more
+useful every day.  What I pay you is nonsense to what you are worth.
+Now, look here; in three months the current business year with me will
+be up, and I'm going to ask you to join me as junior partner."
+
+"Mr Parkley!" cried the young man, astounded, as his employer leaped
+off his stool, and took down and replaced his hat.
+
+"Say no more," he cried; "I don't act without thinking, do I?"
+
+"Never, sir."
+
+"Then it's all right.  Catch hold of this," he continued, handing the
+young man one end of the comforter, and then, tucking the other in under
+his waistcoat, he slowly wound himself up in it again, tapped the
+letter, and said, "Big job on here--I'm going to see them about it;" and
+then, lifting his feet in his peculiar way, he seemed to move out of the
+office as if he were under water, and the door closed behind him.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWO.
+
+GOLDEN PROMISES.
+
+The last words of his employer had such an effect upon Dutch Pugh that
+he leaped from his stool, and began to pace the office excitedly, for
+this was beyond his wildest dreams.  Partner in such a business, where
+he knew that many thousands were netted every year!  He could hardly
+believe it.  At one moment he was all exhilaration, thinking of the
+delight it would afford his young wife; at the next, he felt a strange
+sensation of depression, as of coming trouble.  It was as if the
+sunshine of his life had been crossed by a black shadow; and minute by
+minute this increased upon him, till he shuddered, started, and turned
+round, to glance uneasily about the office, as if expecting to see
+trouble there.
+
+And then it seemed to him as if the three goblinlike figures were
+laughing and blinking at him weirdly, menacing him with crowbar and
+hatchet; and, as if in a dream for the next few moments, he seemed to
+see himself engaged in some dangerous diving experiment, and at the
+mercy of an enemy who sought his life, while his young wife pleaded for
+him and in vain.
+
+It was all misty and strange; his brain was confused, and he could the
+next minute no more have analysed this waking dream, or idealised the
+actors therein, than have flown; but there, for a few brief moments, was
+the impression upon him of coming trouble--trouble so horrible that it
+menaced his life and the honour of her he most dearly loved.  That was
+the impression; but how, when, where, he could not comprehend.
+
+"Am I going mad?" he exclaimed, dashing his hand to his forehead.  "What
+an idiot I am!" he cried, with a forced laugh.  "That old rascal has
+made the place like an oven, and the blood has flown to my head.  There,
+only to think what trifles will upset a man, and, if he is weak-minded,
+make him superstitious and fanciful.  Some men would have really
+believed that a terrible calamity was about to befall them, when it was
+only--"
+
+"Here's a gentleman to see you," said Rasp, barking out his words, and
+ushering in a stranger.
+
+Dutch Pugh involuntarily started, for he seemed to be in the presence of
+a stranger, and yet somehow the face was familiar to him.  It was that
+of an exceedingly handsome man of about thirty, who took off a soft
+sombrero hat, and loosened the folds of a heavy black cloak, one end of
+which was thrown over his shoulder.  He was evidently a foreigner, for
+his complexion was of a rich creamy tinge, his crisp black hair curled
+closely round a broad, high forehead, his dark eyes glittered beneath
+straight black brows, his nose was slightly aquiline, and the lower part
+of his face was covered with a thick, silky, black beard.
+
+As he loosened the cords of his heavy cloak with his carefully-gloved
+hand, Dutch Pugh saw that he was faultlessly dressed, and, as he smiled
+and showed his white teeth, he said in good English, but with a
+perceptible foreign accent--
+
+"Mr Parkley, I learn, is out.  I address Mr Pugh?"
+
+"The same," said Dutch, who seemed fascinated by his look.  "Will you
+take a chair?"
+
+A cold chill came over the speaker as the visitor smiled and seated
+himself, but only to be succeeded by a feeling of suffocation; and for
+an instant his brain swam, and the dreamy feeling seemed about to
+return, but it passed off instantly, as, rousing himself, Dutch said--
+
+"You will find this room too hot, perhaps.  Shall I open--"
+
+"Hot!" laughed the stranger, taking out a card and letter of
+introduction.  "My dear sir, it is comfortable after your chilly
+streets.  I am from Cuba, where we see the sun."
+
+As he spoke he handed a card, upon which was printed--"Senor Manuel
+Laure."
+
+"You will open the letter?" he continued, passing the one he held in his
+hand.  "No?"
+
+"Mr Parkley will be here shortly," said Dutch.  "Would you prefer to
+see him?"
+
+"Yes--no," said the stranger.  "I should like to see him, but I am
+content to talk to you.  You Englishmen are so intelligent, and those
+who sent me here told me that their fellow-countrymen would be ready to
+help my designs."
+
+"May I ask what they are?" said Dutch, who began to feel suspicious of
+the stranger.
+
+"Yes, for I shall betray nothing.  First, am I right?  Yes," he said,
+glancing round, and pointing at the diving suits.  "I see I am right.
+You work under water--dive?"
+
+"That is our business, and the making of apparatus."
+
+"Apparatus?  Oh, yes, I understand.  Would you--would Mr Parkley like
+to make a great fortune?"
+
+"Not a doubt about it," said Mr Parkley, entering, all hat and
+comforter.  "How do?" he continued, bluffly, as the visitor rose and
+bowed, and then scanned him searchingly, as hat and comforter were
+placed once more upon the diving suit.
+
+"This is Mr Parkley, the head of this establishment."
+
+"I am delighted," said the stranger, raising his eyebrows, and
+half-closing his eyes.  "Will you, then, read?"
+
+"Thinks I don't look it, Pugh," said Mr Parkley aside, as he took the
+letter handed him, opened it, glanced at the contents and
+superscription, and then handed it to Dutch.
+
+"Sit down, sir," he said, sharply, as he perched himself on a stool as
+jerkily as the stranger resumed his full of grace.  "Read it aloud, Mr
+Pugh."
+
+Dutch still felt troubled; but he read, in a clear voice, the letter
+from a well-known English firm at Havana.
+
+  "Dear Sir,--The bearer of this, Senor Manuel Laure, comes to you with
+  our earnest recommendation.  He has certain peculiar projects that he
+  will explain.  To some people they would seem wild and visionary; but
+  to you, with your appliances, they will doubtless appear in a very
+  different light.  He is a gentleman of good position here, and worthy
+  of your respect.  If you do not see fit to carry out his wishes,
+  kindly place him in communication with some other firm, and do what
+  you can to prevent his being imposed upon.--Faithfully yours,--
+
+  "Roberts and Moore.
+
+  "To Mr Parkley, Ramwich."
+
+"Glad to see you, sir," said Mr Parkley, upon whom the letter wrought a
+complete change.  "Good people, Roberts and Moore.  Supplied them with a
+complete diving apparatus.  So you've come over on purpose to offer me a
+fortune?"
+
+"Yes," said the visitor, "a great fortune.  You smile, but listen.  Do I
+think you a child, sir?  Oh, no.  I do not tell you I want to make a
+great fortune for you only, but for myself as well."
+
+"Of course," said Mr Parkley, smiling, and showing in his manner how
+thoroughly business-like he was.  "I thought that had to come."
+
+"See here, sir--This Mr Pugh is in your confidence?"
+
+"Quite.  Go on."
+
+"See, then: I have travelled much, boating--yachting you would call it
+in England--all around the shores of the Great Gulf of Mexico.  I know
+every island and piece of coast in the Carib Sea."
+
+"Yes," said Mr Parkley, drumming on the desk.
+
+"I have made discoveries there."
+
+"Mines?" said Mr Parkley.  "Not in my way."
+
+"No, sir--better than mines; for the gold and silver are gathered and
+smelted--cast into ingots."
+
+"Buried treasure, eh?  Not in my way, sir--not in my way."
+
+"Yes, buried treasure, Mr Parkley; but buried in the bright, clear sea,
+where the sun lights up the sand and rocks below."
+
+"Sea, eh?  Well, that is more in our way.  Eh, Pugh?"
+
+"Read the old chronicles of the time, sir, two or three hundred years
+ago," said the Cuban, rising, with his eyes flashing, and his handsome
+face lit up by his glowing excitement, "and you shall find that gold
+ships and plate-ships--ships laden with the treasures of Mexico and
+Peru, taken by the Spaniards, were sunk here and there upon those
+wondrous coasts."
+
+"Old women's tales," said Mr Parkley, abruptly.  "Cock-and-bull
+stories."
+
+"I do not quite understand," said the Cuban, haughtily, "except that you
+doubt me.  Sir, these are truths.  I doubted first; but for five years
+in a small vessel I have searched the Carib Sea, and I can take you to
+where three ships have been wrecked and sunk--ships whose existence is
+only known to me."
+
+"Very likely," said Mr Parkley; "but that don't prove that they were
+laden with gold."
+
+"Look," said the Cuban, taking from a pocket in his cloak a packet, and,
+opening it out, he unwrapped two papers, in one of which was a small
+ingot of gold, in the other a bar of silver.  They were cast in a very
+rough fashion, and the peculiarity that gave strength to the Cuban's
+story was that each bar of about six inches long was for the most part
+encrusted with barnacle-like shells and other peculiar sea growths.
+
+"Hum!  Could this have been stuck on, Pugh?" said Mr Parkley, curiously
+examining each bar in turn.
+
+"I think not, sir, decidedly," said Pugh.  "Those pieces of metal must
+have been under water for a great length of time."
+
+"You are right, Mr Pugh," said the Cuban, whose face brightened.  "You
+are a man of sound sense.  They have been under water three hundred
+years."
+
+He smiled at the young Englishman as he spoke, but the other felt
+repelled by him, and his looks were cold.
+
+"How did you get those bars and ingots?" said Mr Parkley, abruptly.
+
+"From amongst the rotten timbers of an old galleon," said the Cuban.
+"But where?"
+
+"That is my secret.  Thirty feet below the surface at low water."
+
+"Easy depth," said Mr Parkley, thoughtfully.  "But why did you not get
+more?"
+
+"Sir, am I a fish?  I practised diving till I could go down with a
+stone, and stay a minute; but what is that?  How could I tear away
+shell, and coral, and hard wood, and sand, and stones.  I find six such
+bars, and I am satisfied.  I seek for years for the place, and I know
+three huge mines of wealth for the bold Englishmen who would fit out a
+ship with things like these"--pointing to the diving suits--"with brave
+men who will go down with bars, and stay an hour, and break a way to the
+treasure, and there load--load that ship with gold and silver, and
+perhaps rich jewels.  Sir, I say to you," he continued, his face
+gradually glowing in excitement, "are you the brave Englishman who will
+fit out a ship and go with me?  I say, make a written bond of agreement
+to find all we shall want in what you call apparatus and brave men.  I
+show you the exact place.  I take your ship to the spot to anchor, and
+then, when we get the treasures, I take half for myself, and you take
+half for yourselves.  Is it fair?"
+
+"Yes, it sounds fair enough," said Mr Parkley, rubbing his nose with a
+pair of compasses.  "What do you say, Pugh?"
+
+"I hardly know what to say, sir.  The project is tempting, certainly;
+but--"
+
+"But it is a monstrous fortune," said the Cuban.  "It is an opportunity
+that cannot come twice to a man.  Do you hear?  Great ingots of gold and
+bars of silver.  Treasures untold, of which I offer you half, and yet
+you English people are so cold and unmovable.  Why, a Spaniard or a
+Frenchman would have gone mad with excitement."
+
+"Yes," said Mr Parkley, "but we don't do that sort of thing here."
+
+"No," said the Cuban, "you are so cold."
+
+"It takes some time to warm us, sir," said Dutch, sternly; "but when we
+are hot, we keep so till our work is done.  Your Frenchman and Spaniard
+soon get hot, and are cold directly."
+
+"That's right, Pugh, every word," said Mr Parkley, nodding his head.
+
+"Then you refuse my offer?" said the Cuban, with a bitter look of
+contempt stealing over his face.
+
+"Do I?" replied Mr Parkley.
+
+"Yes, you are silent--you do not respond."
+
+"Englishmen don't risk ten thousand pounds without looking where it is
+to go, my fine fellow," said Mr Parkley, drumming away at the desk.  "I
+don't say I shall not take it up, and I don't say I shall."
+
+"You doubt me, then.  Are not my papers good?"
+
+"Unexceptionable."
+
+"Is not the half of the wondrous wealth enough for you?  You who only
+take out your ship and divers to get what it has taken me years to find.
+I tell you there are cargoes of this rich metal lying there--hundreds
+of thousands of pounds--a princely fortune; and yet you hesitate."
+
+"Are there any volcanoes your way?" said Mr Parkley, drily.
+
+"Yes--many.  Why?"
+
+"I thought so," said the sturdy Englishman.
+
+"It is enough," cried the Cuban, haughtily.  "You play with me, and
+insult me."
+
+And, as he spoke, with flashing eyes, he snatched at the two ingots, and
+began to wrap them up, but with a smile of contempt he threw them back
+on the desk.
+
+"No, we do not," said Mr Parkley quietly; "only you are so red hot.  I
+must have time to think."
+
+"Time to think?"
+
+"Yes.  I like the idea, and I think I shall accept your offer."
+
+"You believe in my papers, then?"
+
+"Oh, yes, they are beyond suspicion," said Mr Parkley, holding out his
+hand.  "Only there are so many tricks played that one has to go
+carefully.  Well, how are you?  Glad to see you, and hope we shall be
+good friends."
+
+"My great friend!" exclaimed the Cuban, throwing his arms round the
+sturdy little man, and nearly oversetting him, stool and all, in his
+fervid embrace.  "They were right: you are the true enterprising man of
+energy after all."
+
+"I say, don't do that again, please," said Mr Parkley.  "We shake hands
+here, and save those hugs for the other sex--at least the young fellows
+do."
+
+"But I am overjoyed," exclaimed the Cuban, enthusiastically.  "Here, I
+will be English," he cried, holding out his hand and shaking that of
+Dutch most heartily.  "We two shall be great friends, I see.  You will
+come too.  You are young and full of energy, and you shall be as rich as
+he.  You shall both draw up gold in heaps and be princes.  Thank you
+both--thank you.  And now we will make our plans."
+
+"Gently, gently," exclaimed Mr Parkley; "this all takes time.  If that
+treasure has lain for three hundred years at the bottom of the sea, it
+will be safe for a few months longer."
+
+"Ah, yes, yes."
+
+"Then we must take our time, and, if we go, make plenty of preparation."
+
+"Yes, yes," said the Cuban; "take plenty of diving suits and a diving
+bell."
+
+"Don't you fidget about that, sir," said Mr Parkley, proudly.  "I think
+we can find such appliances as will do the trick.  Eh, Pugh?"
+
+Dutch nodded, and then looked uneasily at the Cuban, whose presence
+seemed to fill him with a vague trouble.
+
+"I've got an important contract on too," continued Parkley.
+
+"A contract?" said the Cuban.  "A new machine?"
+
+"No, no; a bond such as we must have to do certain work."
+
+"Yes, yes.  I see."
+
+"I've got to empty a ship off the coast here.  She went down, laden with
+copper."
+
+"I must see that," cried the Cuban, excitedly.  "Where is it?  Let us
+go.  I must see the men go under water."
+
+"All in good time, sir--all in good time; for I must finish that job
+first.  Well, Rasp," he continued, as that worthy came in.
+
+"It's Mrs Pug, sir.  Shall I show her in?"
+
+"No, no," exclaimed Dutch, eagerly.
+
+But he was too late; for, as he spoke, a lady-like figure entered the
+room, and the bright, fair, girlish face, with its clustering curls of
+rich dark-brown hair, turned from one to the other in a timid,
+apologetic way.
+
+"I am sorry," she faltered.  "You are engaged.  My husband arranged--"
+
+"Come in, my dear--come in," said Mr Parkley, hopping off his stool,
+taking her hands, and patting them affectionately, as he placed her in a
+chair.  "We've about done for to-day; and if we had not, there's nothing
+you might not hear.  I'll be bound to say, Pugh keeps nothing from you."
+
+"But she is beautiful!" muttered the Cuban, with sparkling eyes, as his
+lips parted, and a warm flush came into his creamy cheeks; while Dutch
+turned pale as he saw his admiration, and the vague feeling of dread
+came once more in combination with one of dislike.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THREE.
+
+UNDER WATER AND UNDER CURRENT.
+
+"But I am not polite, my dear," said Mr Parkley.  "This is Senor Manuel
+Lorry, a gentleman from Havana.  Senor, Mrs Pugh, the wife of my future
+partner, and almost my daughter."
+
+The Cuban bowed low as the young Englishwoman rose and looked anxiously
+at him, her eyes falling directly, and she blushed vividly, as though
+her fair young cheeks were scorched beneath his ardent gaze.
+
+A pang shot through the breast of Dutch Pugh; but the eyes were raised
+again to his with so naive and innocent a look that the pain was
+assuaged, and he crossed to her side.
+
+"Well, Senor," said Mr Parkley, "I am to see that you are not imposed
+upon, so you are in my charge."
+
+"I know so much of the straightforward honesty of the English, sir, that
+I am glad to be in your hands."
+
+"That's complimentary," said Mr Parkley.
+
+"It is true, sir," said the Cuban, bowing.
+
+"Very well, then," said Mr Parkley, "we'll begin by trusting one
+another fully.  Well, Rasp, what is it now?"
+
+"Here's Sam Oakum just come from Barrport."
+
+"Well, have they got out all the copper?"
+
+"Not a bit of it, for the men won't go down."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Say the engine don't supply enough air, and the receiver's bust.  Won't
+go down, hany one on 'em."
+
+"Nonsense!"
+
+"John Tolly's dead or thereabouts."
+
+"Dead?"
+
+"So Sam says."
+
+"Tut, tut, tut!" ejaculated Mr Parkley.  "Always something wrong.
+Pugh, you'll have to go down directly, and set an example, or I must.
+Tolly always comes up dead when he don't like a job."
+
+"No, no, no!" exclaimed Mrs Pugh, leaping off to catch her husband by
+the arm.  "He must never go down again.  Promise me you will not go,"
+she cried, turning her ashy face up to his.
+
+"But she is beautiful indeed!" muttered the Cuban.
+
+"My darling," whispered Dutch, "be a woman.  There is no danger."
+
+"No danger!" she wailed.  "Dutch, I've dreamed night after night of some
+terrible trouble, and it is this.  You must not--must not go."
+
+"My darling," he whispered.  And, bending over her, he said a few words
+in her ear, which made her set her teeth firmly and try to smile, as she
+stood up clasping his hand.
+
+"I will try," she whispered--"try so hard."
+
+"I'm ready, Mr Parkley," said the young man, hoarsely.
+
+"That's right, Pugh.  Go and set matters square.  I'll see your wife
+safe back home."
+
+"I leave her to you," said Dutch, in a low voice.  "Good-bye, my
+darling, get back home.  I'll join you soon," he whispered, and hurried
+out of the office.
+
+But as he turned for a moment, it was to see the Cuban's eyes fixed upon
+the trembling girl; while the goblinlike figures against the wall seemed
+to be nodding and gibbering at him, as if laughing at the troubles that
+assailed his breast.
+
+"Off down to Barrport, Mr Pug?" said Rasp, as he stood in the outer
+office.
+
+"Yes, instantly.  Come, Oakum," he said, to a rough-looking sailor, who
+stood hat in hand.
+
+"Sharp's the word, Mr Pug," said Rasp; "but I say," he continued,
+pointing with his thumb over his shoulder, "that foreign chap, I don't
+like the looks o' he."
+
+"I tell you what it is, sir," said the rough-looking sailor, as he
+walked by Dutch Pugh's side down to the station.  "If I weer much along
+o' that Rasp, it would soon come to a row."
+
+"Why, man?"
+
+"'Cause he's such a overbearing sort of a chap.  He's one of them kind
+as always thinks he's skipper, and every one else is afore the mast.  If
+he'd come aboard the ship and hailed me, I should ha' ast him to sit
+down on the deck and handed him the bacco; but when I comes in he sits
+and stares at one orty like, and goes on taking his bacco, in a savage
+sorter way, up his nose, and never so much as says, `Have a pinch,
+mate,' or the like."
+
+"You don't know him, my man," said Dutch, quietly.
+
+"And don't want to," growled the old sailor.  "I should just like to
+have him aboard our vessel for a month.  I'd show him how to count ten,
+I know."
+
+"Well, there are more unlikely things," said Dutch.  "Perhaps he may
+sail with you."
+
+"What, are we going off, sir?" said the sailor, facing round.
+
+"I don't know yet," said Dutch, "but it is possible."
+
+"I'm glad on it," said the sailor, giving his canvas trousers a slap.
+"I'm tired o' hanging about the coast as we do.  All this diving work's
+very well, but I want to get out in the blue again."
+
+"Tell me all about the upset over the work," said Dutch.  "Is Tolly
+bad?"
+
+"Not he, sir," chuckled the sailor.  "I'd ha' cured him with a
+rope's-end in about two twos.  Didn't want to go down, and when the
+skipper turned rusty, and said as how he must, his mates takes sides
+with him, and say as Mr Parkley wants to send 'em to their death, and
+then the real sore place comes out--they wants a rise in the pay.
+`Well, then,' says the skipper, `I'll send for Mr Parkley;' and then
+Tolly says in his blustering way, `Ah,' he says, `I ain't afraid to go
+down, and if I loses my life it's all the governor's fault.'  So down he
+goes, and dreckly after he begins pulling his siggle rope, and they
+pulls him up, unscrews him, and lays him on the deck, and gives him cold
+grog."
+
+"But was he senseless?"
+
+"He wasn't so senseless that he couldn't lap the grog, sir, no end; and
+if he warn't playing at sham Abraham, my name ain't Sam Oakum."
+
+Barrport was soon reached, and, boarding a small lugger, Dutch and his
+companion were put aboard a handsomely-rigged schooner, lying about four
+miles along the coast, at anchor, by the two masts of a vessel seen
+above the water.  And here it was evident that arrangements had been
+made for diving, for a ladder was lashed to the side of the vessel,
+evidently leading down to the deck of the sunken ship, while four men in
+diving suits lounged against the bulwarks, their round helmets, so
+greatly out of proportion to their heads, standing on a kind of rack,
+while the heavy leaden breast and back pieces they wore lay on the
+planks.
+
+"Ah, Pugh," said a weather-beaten, middle-aged man, greeting Dutch as he
+reached the deck; "glad you've come.  When I've a mutiny amongst my own
+men I know what to do; but with these fellows I'm about done, especially
+as they say the machinery is defective."
+
+"Of course, Captain Studwick," said Dutch aloud, "men cannot be asked to
+risk their lives.  Here, Tolly, what is it?"
+
+The diver spoken to, a fat-faced, pig-eyed fellow, with an artful leer
+upon his countenance, sidled up.
+
+"The pump don't work as it should, Mr Pugh," he said.  "Near pretty
+nigh gone--warn't I, mates?"
+
+The others nodded.
+
+"Is the work below very hard?" said Dutch, quietly.
+
+"Well, no, sir, I don't know as it's much harder nor usual; but the
+copper's heavy to move, and the way into the hold is littler nor usual;
+ain't it, mates?"
+
+"Take off your suit," said Dutch, after glancing at the men at the
+air-pump, and seeing that they were those he could trust.
+
+"It won't fit you, sir," said the man, surlily.
+
+"I'm the best judge of that," said Dutch; "take it off instantly."
+
+The man glanced at his companions, but seeing no help forthcoming from
+them, he began sulkily to take off the copper gorget and the
+india-rubber garments, with the heavy leaden-soled boots, which, with
+the help of the old sailor, Dutch slipped on with the ease of one
+accustomed to handle such articles; then fitting on the leaden weights--
+the chest and back piece--he took up the helmet, saw that the tube from
+the back was properly adjusted and connected with the air-pump, which he
+examined, and then turned to Captain Studwick--
+
+"You'll see that no one touches the tube, Mr Studwick," he said, in a
+low tone.  "One of those fellows might feel disposed to tamper with it."
+
+The captain nodded, and Dutch then lifted on the helmet, the rim of
+which fitted exactly to the gorget, had the screws tightened, and then,
+with the old sailor and the captain himself seeing that the tube and
+signalling cords were all right, the pump began to work, and Dutch
+walked heavily to the side, took hold of the rungs of the ladder, and
+began to descend.
+
+In a few moments his head had disappeared, and his blurred figure could
+be made out going down into the darkness, while a constant stream of
+exhausted air which escaped from the helmet-valve kept rising in great
+bubbles.  The pump clanked as its pistons worked up and down, and the
+sailors and divers--the former eagerly and the latter in a sulky
+fashion--approached the side and looked over.
+
+Captain Studwick himself held the signal-line, and answered the calls
+made upon him for more or less air by communicating with the men at the
+pump; and so the minutes passed, during which time, by the necessity for
+lengthening out the tube and cord, it was evident that Dutch was going
+over the submerged vessel in different directions.  All had gone so well
+that the captain had relaxed somewhat in his watchfulness, when he was
+brought back to attention by a violent jerking of the cord.
+
+"More air!" he shouted--"quick!" just as there was a yell, a scuffle,
+and the man Tolly struggled into the middle of the deck, wrestling hard
+with a black sailor, who backed away from him, and then, running forward
+like a ram, struck his adversary in the chest and sent him rolling over
+into the scuppers.
+
+By this time the signalling had ceased, and Dutch was evidently moving
+about at his ease.
+
+"What was that?" said Captain Studwick, sternly, as the man Tolly got up
+and made savagely at the black, but was restrained by the strong arm of
+the old sailor, Oakum.
+
+Tolly and the black both spoke excitedly together, and not a word was to
+be understood.
+
+"Here you, Mr Tolly, what is it?" cried the captain.  "Hold your
+tongue, 'Pollo."
+
+"I bash him head, sah.  I--"
+
+"Hold your tongue, sir," said the captain.  "What was it?"
+
+"I happened to look round, sir, and found this stupid nigger standing on
+the tube, and when I dragged him off he struck me."
+
+"Who you call nigger, you ugly, white, fat-head tief?" shouted the
+black, savagely.  "I bash your ugly head."
+
+"Silence!" cried the captain.
+
+"It great big lie, sah," cried the black.  "I turn roun' and see dat
+ugly tief set him hoof on de tubum, and top all de wind out of Mass'
+Dutch Pugh, and I scruff him."
+
+"You infamous--"
+
+"Silence!" roared the captain.  "Stand back, both of you.  Oakum, see
+that no one goes near the tube.  Haul in gently there; he's coming up."
+
+This was the case, for in another minute the great round top of the
+helmet was seen to emerge from the water; its wearer mounted the side,
+and was soon relieved of his casque, displaying the flushed face of
+Dutch, who looked sharply round.
+
+"Some one must have stepped on the tube," he said.  "Who was it?"
+
+"It lies between these two," said Captain Studwick, pointing to the pair
+of adversaries.
+
+"It was the nigger, sir," said Tolly.
+
+"No, sah, 'sure you, sah.  I too much sense, sah, to put um foot on de
+tubum.  It was dis fellow, sah," said the black, with dignity.
+
+"I presume it was an accident," said Dutch, quietly.  Then, turning to
+the divers--"I have been down, as you see, my men.  The apparatus is in
+perfect working order, the water clear, the light good, and the copper
+easy to get at.  Begin work directly.  If anything goes wrong, it is the
+fault of your management."
+
+"But ain't this black fellow to be punished?" began the man Tolly.
+
+"Mr John Tolly, you are foreman of these divers," said Dutch quietly,
+"and answerable to Mr Parkley for their conduct.  If one of the sailors
+deserves punishment, that is Captain Studwick's affair."
+
+For a moment there was dead silence, then 'Pollo spoke.
+
+"I not a sailor, sah; I de ship cook.  You mind I not put de cork in de
+tubum, Mass' Tolly, next time you go down."
+
+"There! do you hear him?" cried Tolly.  "Who's going down to be
+threatened like that?"
+
+"Yah, yah, yah!" laughed the black.  "Him great coward, sah.  He not
+worf notice."
+
+Then he turned and walked forward, while Tolly resumed his suit, vacated
+for him by Dutch, their helmets were put on by two of the men, and
+diving commenced, Dutch remaining on board till it was time to cease,
+and having the satisfaction of seeing a goodly portion of the copper
+hauled on the deck of the schooner, the divers fastening ropes round the
+ingots, which were drawn up by the sailors.
+
+"That was a malicious trick, of course," said Dutch to the captain while
+Tolly was below.
+
+"I'm afraid it was," said the captain, "to try and make out that the
+machinery was out of order."
+
+"Yes, I expected it," said Dutch; "and that's why I spoke to you.  They
+did not mean to do me a mischief, of course--only to frighten me.  I
+don't suspect the black, though."
+
+"What, 'Pollo!" said the captain.  "Good heavens, no!  He's as staunch
+as steel.  A thoroughly trustworthy man."
+
+"I must wink at it, I suppose," said Dutch, "for it is not easy to
+supply vacancies in our little staff, and the men know it.  They are
+hard fellows to manage."
+
+"And yet you manage them well," said the captain, smiling.  "You ought
+to have been a skipper."
+
+"Think so?" said Dutch; "but look, who is this coming on board?"
+
+"Poor John!" said the captain, with a sigh.  "Poor boy, he's in a sad
+way."
+
+"But he's very young, Mr Studwick, and with the fine weather he may
+amend."
+
+"He's beginning to be out of hope, Pugh, and so is poor Bessy.  The
+doctor says he must have a sea voyage into some warmer climate--not that
+he promises health, but prolonged life."
+
+"Indeed!" said Dutch, starting, as he thought of the Cuban's proposal,
+and the probability of Captain Studwick having charge of the vessel if
+the trip was made, but not feeling at liberty to say much; and, the boat
+from the shore touching the side, he held his peace.
+
+A minute later a fine, handsome, but rather masculine girl--whose clear
+eyes sparkled as they lit on Dutch Pugh, and then were turned sharply
+away--stepped on deck, holding out her hand directly after to assist an
+invalid to pass the gangway, which he did, panting slightly, and then
+pausing to cough.
+
+He was evidently enough the girl's brother, for with his delicate looks
+and hectic flush he looked strangely effeminate, and in height and
+stature the pair were wonderfully alike.
+
+"I don't think it was wise of you to come out, John," said the captain,
+kindly; "it's a cold, thick day."
+
+"It's so dull at home," said the young man, "and I must have change.
+There, I'm well wrapped up, father; and Bessy takes no end of care of
+me."
+
+He gave the girl a tender and affectionate look as he spoke; and she
+smiled most pleasantly.
+
+"Ah, Mr Pugh, I'm glad to see you.  Have you been down?"
+
+"Yes, just for a little while," said Dutch, shaking hands with him, and
+then holding out his hand to the sister, who half shrank from him with
+an angry, flushed face; but his frank, pleasant look overcame her, and
+she held out her hand to him.
+
+"You have not been to see us yet, Miss Studwick," he said, frankly.
+"Hester quite expects you to call, and I hope you will be friends."
+
+"I will try to be, Mr Pugh," said the girl, huskily.  "I'll call--
+soon."
+
+"That's right," he said, smiling.  "Come, too, John.  We shall be very
+glad to see you."
+
+The young man started, and looked at him searchingly with his
+unnaturally bright eyes.
+
+"No," he said, sadly.  "I'm too much of an invalid now.  That is, at
+present," he said, catching his father's eye, and speaking hastily.  "I
+shall be better in a month or two.  I'm stronger now--much stronger; am
+I not, Bessy?  Give me your arm, dear.  I want to see the divers."
+
+The couple walked forward to where the air-pump was standing, and the
+eyes of the captain and Dutch Pugh met, when the former shook his head
+sadly, and turned away.
+
+There was something very pathetic in the aspect of the young man, in
+whom it was plain enough to see that one by one most fatal diseases had
+made such inroads as to preclude all hope of recovery; and saddened at
+heart, for more than one reason, above all feeling that his presence was
+not welcome, Dutch superintended his men till, feeling that it would be
+absolutely necessary that some one would have to be on deck every day
+till the copper was all recovered, he made up his mind that it would
+fall to his lot, except at such times as Mr Parkley would relieve
+guard.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+THE DIVER AT HOME.
+
+The next morning Rasp was sent off to act as superintendent, for Mr
+Parkley decided that Dutch must stay and help him in his plans for
+carrying out the Cuban's wishes, if he took the affair up, and
+previously to discuss the matter.
+
+Dutch announced to Rasp then that he would have to set off at once.
+
+"It's always the way," grumbled the old fellow.  "Board that schooner,
+too.  Yah!"
+
+"Never mind, Rasp; you like work.  You'll be like the busy bee,
+improving each shining hour," said Dutch, smiling.
+
+"Yes; and my helmets, and tubes, and pumps getting not fit to be seen,
+and made hat-pegs of.  Busy bee, indeed!  I'm tired of improving the
+shining hours.  I've been all my life a-polishing of 'em up for some one
+else."
+
+He set off growling, and vowing vengeance on the men if they did not
+work; and Dutch returned to find Mr Parkley with a map of the West
+Indies spread upon the desk.
+
+"Look here," he said, "here's the place," and he pointed to the
+Caribbean Sea.
+
+"Do you think seriously of this matter, then?" said Dutch.
+
+"Very.  Why not?  I believe it is genuine.  Don't you?"
+
+"I can't say," replied Dutch.  "It may be."
+
+"I think it is," said the other, sharply; "and it seems to me a chance."
+
+"If it proved as this Cuban says, of course it would be."
+
+"And why should it not?" said Mr Parkley.  "You see he has nothing to
+gain by getting me to fit out an expedition, unless we are successful."
+
+"But it may be visionary."
+
+"Those ingots were solid visions," said Mr Parkley.  "No, my lad; the
+thing's genuine.  I've thought it out all right, and decided to go in
+for it at once--that is, as soon as we can arrange matters."
+
+"Indeed, sir!" said Dutch, startled at the suddenness of the decision.
+
+"Yes, my lad, I have faith in it.  We could go in the schooner.  Take a
+couple of those divers, and some of our newest appliances.  I look upon
+the whole affair as a godsend.  Hum!  Here he is.  Don't seem too eager,
+but follow my lead."
+
+A clerk announced the previous night's visitor; and Dutch recalled for
+the moment the previous day's meeting, and the annoyance he had felt on
+seeing the stranger's admiring gaze.  But this was all forgotten in a
+few moments, the Cuban being certainly all that could be desired in
+gentlemanly courtesy, and his manners were winning in the extreme.
+
+"And now that you have had a night for consideration, Senor Parkley,
+what do you think of my project?" he said, glancing at the map.
+
+"I want to know more," said Mr Parkley.
+
+"I have told you that vessels were sunk--ships laden with gold and
+silver, Senor Parkley, and I say join me.  Find all that is wanted--a
+ship--divers--and make an agreement to give me half the treasure
+recovered, and I will take your ship to the spots.  Where these are is
+my secret."
+
+"You said I was slow and cold, Mr Lorry, yesterday," said Mr Parkley.
+"You shan't say so to-day.  When I make up my mind I strike while the
+iron is hot.  My mind is made up."
+
+"Then you refuse," said the Cuban, frowning.
+
+"No, sir, I agree.  Here's my hand upon it."
+
+He held out his hand, which the Cuban caught and pressed hastily.
+
+"Viva!" he exclaimed, his face flushing with pleasure.
+
+"You will both be rich as princes.  Our friend here goes too?"
+
+"Yes, I shall take him with us," said Mr Parkley.
+
+Dutch started in wonder at what seemed so rash a proceeding.
+
+"And he must share, too," said the Cuban, warmly.
+
+"Yes; he will be my partner," said Mr Parkley.
+
+"And when do we start--to-morrow?"
+
+"To-morrow!" laughed Mr Parkley.  "No, sir; it will take us a month to
+fit out our expedition."
+
+"A month?"
+
+"At least.  We must go well prepared, and not fail for want of means."
+
+"Yes, yes, that is good."
+
+"And all this takes time.  Trust me, sir, I shall not let the grass grow
+under my feet."
+
+"I do not understand the grass grow," said the Cuban.
+
+"I mean I shall hurry on the preparations," said Mr Parkley.
+
+The Cuban nodded his satisfaction; when the rest of the morning was
+spent in discussing the matter; and, though the visitor was extremely
+careful not to say a word that might give a hint as to the locality of
+the treasure, it became more and more evident that he was no empty
+enthusiast, but one who had spent years in the search, and had had his
+quest browned with success.
+
+Several days passed in this way, during which great success attended the
+raising of the copper, and a proper deed of agreement had been drawn up
+and duly signed between the parties to the proposed expedition, at
+which, however, Dutch had said but little at his own home, lest he
+should cause his wife, who had been delicate since their marriage, any
+uneasiness.
+
+The strange fancies that had troubled him had been almost forgotten, and
+in spite of himself he had become somewhat tinged by the Cuban's
+enthusiasm, and often found himself dwelling on the pleasure of being
+possessed of riches such as were described.
+
+"It would make her a lady," he argued; "and if anything happened to me
+she would be above want."
+
+He was musing in this way one morning, when Mr Parkley came to him,
+they having dined together with the Cuban on the previous evening at his
+hotel.
+
+"Well, Pugh," he said, "I'm getting more faith every day.  Lorry's a
+gentleman."
+
+"Yes," said Dutch, "he is most polished in his ways, and I must say I
+begin to feel a great deal of faith in him myself."
+
+"That's well," said Mr Parkley, rubbing his hands.  "You'll have to go
+with us."
+
+"I'm afraid, sir, you must--"
+
+"Excuse you?  No, I don't think I can.  Besides, Pugh, you would go with
+me as my partner, for I shall have all that settled."
+
+"You are very, very kind, sir," said Dutch, flushing with pleasure.
+
+"Nonsense, man," cried Mr Parkley; "all selfishness.  You and I can do
+so much together.  See how useful you are to me, partner."
+
+"Not your partner yet, sir."
+
+"Yes, you are, Pugh," said the other, slapping him on the shoulder; "and
+now we'll go in for calculations and arrangements for the expedition.  I
+was thinking the schooner would do, but I find it would be too small, so
+I shall set Captain Studwick to look out for a good brig or a small
+barque, and take him into our confidence to some extent."
+
+"Not wholly?"
+
+"No; and yet, perhaps, it would be as well.  And now, Pugh, I've got a
+favour to ask of you."
+
+"Anything, sir, that I can do I will do with all my heart," replied
+Pugh, enthusiastically.
+
+"I knew you would," replied Mr Parkley.  "You see, this is a big thing,
+my lad, and will be the making of us both, and Lorry is a very decent
+fellow."
+
+"Decidedly," said Pugh, wondering at what was coming.
+
+"Well, I must be as civil to him as I can, and so will you, of course."
+
+"Of course."
+
+"He's taken a great fancy to you, by-the-way, and praises you sky-high."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"Yes; and look here, Pugh, he has got to be tired of this hotel where he
+is, and wants society.  I can't ask him to my shabby place, so I want
+you to oblige me by playing the host."
+
+Pugh started as if he had been stung.
+
+"Nothing could be better," continued Mr Parkley, who did not notice the
+other's emotion.  "Ask him to come and stay at your little place.  Mrs
+Pugh has things about her in so nice and refined a way that you can make
+him quite at home.  You will gain his confidence, too, and we shall work
+better for not being on mere hard business terms."
+
+Dutch felt his brain begin to swim.
+
+"I'll come as often as I can, and we shall be making him one of us.  The
+time will pass more pleasantly for him, and there'll be no fear of
+somebody else getting hold of him to make better terms."
+
+"Yes--exactly--I see," faltered Pugh, whose mind was wandering towards
+home, and who recalled the Cuban's openly expressed admiration for his
+wife.
+
+"The dear little woman," continued Mr Parkley, "could take him out for
+a drive while you are busy, and you can have music and chess in the
+evenings.  You'll have to live better, perhaps; but mind, my dear
+fellow, we are not going to let you suffer for that, and you must let me
+send you some wine, and a box or two of cigars.  We must do the thing
+handsomely for him."
+
+"Yes, of course," said Dutch vaguely.
+
+"Quite a stranger here, you know, and by making him a friend, all will
+go on so much more smoothly afterwards."
+
+"Exactly," said Dutch again.
+
+"But how dreamy you are?  What are you thinking about?"
+
+Dutch started, for in spite of his love and trust he was thinking of the
+handsome Cuban being installed at his home, and always in company with
+his innocent young wife, while he was away busy over his daily
+avocations.
+
+"I beg pardon; did I seem thinking?"
+
+"That you did.  But never mind; you'll do this for me, Pugh?"
+
+"Certainly, if you wish it," said Dutch, making an effort; while the
+figure of the Cuban seemed to be coming like a dark shadow across his
+life.
+
+"Well, yes, I do wish it, Pugh, and I am very much obliged.  By-the-way,
+though, what will she say to your going out on the expedition?"
+
+Dutch shook his head.
+
+"By Jove, I never thought of that," said Mr Parkley.  "Poor little
+woman, it will be too bad.  I tell you what, I was going to get old
+Norton to mind the business.  I will not.  You shall stay at home."
+
+"I should like to go," said Pugh, quietly; "but situated as I am, I
+should be glad if I could stay."
+
+"So you shall, Pugh--so you shall," said Mr Parkley.  And nodding his
+head over and over again, he left Dutch to his thoughts.
+
+He left for home that night with the cloud seeming to darken round him.
+He felt that under the circumstances he was bound to accede to his
+partner's wishes, and yet he was about to take this man, a stranger, to
+his own sacred hearth, and he shuddered again and again at the ideas
+that forced themselves upon his brain.
+
+"I've said I'll receive him," he said at last, half aloud; "but it is
+not yet too late.  Hester shall decide, and if she says `No,' why
+there's an end of it all."
+
+A short run by the rail took him to his pleasant little home--a small
+house, almost a cottage, with its tolerably large grounds and well-kept
+lawn.  The little dining and drawing-rooms were shaded by a broad green
+verandah, over which the bedroom of the young couple looked down, in
+summer, upon a perfect nest of trailing roses.
+
+Dutch gave a sigh of satisfaction as he saw the bright, sunny look of
+pleasure that greeted him, and for the next hour he had forgotten the
+dark shadow as he related to his young wife the great advance in their
+future prospects.
+
+"I do love that dear old Mr Parkley so," she cried, enthusiastically.
+"And now, Dutch, dear, tell me all about why this foreign gentleman is
+taking up so much of your time.  Why, darling, is anything the matter?"
+
+Dutch sighed again, but it was with satisfaction, as with a mingling of
+tender love and anxiety the little woman rose, and, throwing one arm
+round his neck, laid her soft little cheek to his.
+
+"Matter!  No, dear.  Why?" he said, trying to smile.
+
+"You looked so dull and ill all at once, as if in some pain."
+
+"Did I?  Oh, it was nothing, only I was a little bothered."
+
+"May I know what about?"
+
+"Well, yes, dear," he said, playing with her soft hair, as he drew her
+down upon his knee.  "The fact is that Mr Parkley is anxious for some
+attention to be paid to this Cuban gentleman--this Mr Laure."
+
+"And he wants us to ask him here," said Hester, gravely; and for a
+moment a look of pain crossed her face.
+
+"Yes.  How did you know?" he cried, startled at her words.
+
+"I can't tell," she replied, smiling again directly.  "I seemed to know
+what you were going to say by instinct."
+
+"But we cannot have him here, can we?" said Dutch, eagerly.  "It would
+inconvenience you so."
+
+She remained silent for a moment, and a warm flush appeared upon her
+face as he gazed at her searchingly; for it was evident that a struggle
+was going on within her breast, and she was debating as to what she
+should say.  Then, to his great annoyance, she replied--
+
+"I don't think that we ought to refuse Mr Parkley this request, dear.
+I hardly liked the idea at first, and this Mr Laure did not impress me
+favourably when we met."
+
+Dutch's face brightened.
+
+"But," she continued, "I have no doubt I shall like him very much, and
+we will do all we can to make his stay a pleasant one."
+
+Dutch remained silent, and a frown gathered on his brow for a few
+moments; but the next moment he looked up, smiling on the sweet
+ingenuous countenance before him, feeling ashamed of the doubts and
+fancies that had intruded.
+
+"You are right, dear," he said, cheerfully.  "It is a nuisance, for I
+don't like any one coming between us and spoiling our evenings; but it
+will not be for long, and he has come about an enterprise that may bring
+us a considerable sum."
+
+"I'll do all I can, dear," she cried, cheerfully.
+
+And then, going to the piano, the tones of her voice fell upon the ears
+of Dutch Pugh even as the melodies of David on the troubled spirit of
+Saul of old, for as the young husband lay back in his chair, and
+listened to his favourite songs--sung, it seemed to him, more sweetly
+than ever--the tears gathered in his eyes, and he closed them, feeling
+that the evil spirit that assailed his breast had been exorcised, and
+that the cruel doubts and fears were bitter sins against a pure, sweet
+woman, who loved him with all her soul; and he cursed his folly as he
+vowed that he never again would suffer such fancies to gain an entrance
+to his breast.
+
+For quite an hour they sat thus, she singing in her soft, low voice
+ballad after ballad that she knew he loved; and he lying back there,
+dreamily drinking in the happiness that was his, and thanking Heaven for
+his lot.  For the shadow was beaten back, and true joy once more reigned
+supreme.
+
+He was roused from his delicious reverie by the touch of two soft, warm
+lips on his forehead.
+
+"Asleep, darling?" whispered Hester.
+
+"Asleep?  No," he cried, in a low, deep voice, as he drew her to his
+heart.  "Awake, darling--wide awake to the fact that I am the happiest
+of men in owning all your tender, true, womanly love."
+
+As he spoke his lips sought hers, and with a sigh of content, and a
+sweet smile lighting up her gentle face, Hester's arms clasped his neck,
+and she nestled closer to his breast.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+A WAKING DREAM.
+
+The next day, after a long and busy discussion, in which Laure took
+eager interest, and during which plans were made as to stores, arms for
+protection against the Indians of the coast they were to visit, lifting
+and diving apparatus, and the like, the Cuban was installed at the
+cottage, and that first night Dutch saw again upon his face that intense
+admiration the dark, warm-blooded Southerner felt for the fair young
+English girl.  For girl she still was, with a girl's ways, prettily
+mingled with her attempts to play the part of mistress of her own house.
+The young husband felt a pang of jealous misery await him as he sat
+back in the shade of his prettily-furnished drawing-room, seeing their
+visitor hover about the piano while Hester sang, paying endless
+attentions with the polish and courtesy of a foreigner, various little
+refined acts--such as would never have occurred to the bluff young
+Englishman.
+
+"I'm a jealous fool--that's what I am," said Dutch to himself; "and if I
+go on like this I shall be wretched all the time he is here.  I won't
+have it--I won't believe it.  She is beautiful--God bless her! and no
+man could see her without admiring her.  I ought to be proud of his
+admiration instead of letting it annoy me; for, of course, it's his
+foreign way of showing it.  An Englishman would be very different; but
+what right have I to fancy for a moment that this foreign gentleman, my
+guest, would harbour a thought that was not honourable to me?  There,
+it's all gone."
+
+He brightened up directly; and as, with a pleasant smile, Laure came to
+him soon afterwards and challenged him to a game of chess, the evening
+passed pleasantly away.
+
+The days glided on rapidly enough, with Dutch Pugh always repeating to
+himself the stern reproof that he was unjust to his guest and to his
+young wife to allow a single thought of ill to enter his heart; and to
+keep these fancies away he worked harder than ever at the preparations
+for the voyage, being fain, though, to confess that one thing that urged
+him on was the desire to be rid of his guest.
+
+"I don't think much of these furren fellows," said Rasp, one day, when,
+after a shorter stay than usual at the offices, Laure had effusively
+pressed Dutch's hand and gone back to the cottage.  "How does Mrs Pug
+like him?"
+
+Dutch started, but said, quietly--
+
+"Suppose we get on with the packing of that air-pump, Rasp.  You had
+better get in a couple of the men."
+
+"All right," grumbled the old fellow; "I wasn't going to leave it
+undone; but if I was a married man with a 'ansum wife, 'ang me if I
+should care about having a smooth-tongued, dark-eyed, scented foreign
+monkey of a chap like that at my house."
+
+"You insolent old scoundrel!" cried Dutch, flashing into a rage; and he
+caught the old fellow by the throat, but loosened him again with an
+impatient "Pish!"
+
+Rasp seized the poker and sent the red-hot cinders flying as he stoked
+away at the fire.
+
+"I desire that you never speak to me again like that.  How dare you!"
+
+"Oh, all right, Mr Pug, I won't speak again," said Rasp.  "I didn't
+mean no offence.  I only said what I thought, and that was as I didn't
+like to see that furren chap always a-hanging after going back to your
+house, when he ought to be here, helping to see to the things getting
+ready."
+
+"Rasp!" said Dutch angrily.
+
+"Well, so he ought to, instead of being away.  Nobody wants him to take
+off his yaller kid gloves and work, but he might look on.  He's going to
+be a niste one, he is, when he gets out in the place where we're
+a-going.  He'll have a hammock slung and a hawning over it when he gets
+out in the hot sunshine, that's about what he'll do, and lie on his back
+and smoke cigarettes while one works.  Say, Mr Pug, I wish you was
+going with us!"
+
+He went and had another stoke at the fire, and glanced at Dutch's back,
+for he was writing, and made no response.  "Sulky, and won't speak,"
+muttered Rasp; and, going out, banged the door after him.
+
+"The fancies of a vulgar mind," said Dutch to himself, as soon as he was
+alone.  "The coarse belief of one who cannot understand the purity of
+feeling and thought of a true woman; and I actually let such ideas have
+a place in my breast.  Bah!  It's disgraceful!"
+
+He glanced round the office, and then angrily devoted himself once more
+to his work, for it seemed as if the great goggle-eyed diving-helmets
+were once more bending forward and laughing at him derisively.
+
+"I will not have this office made so hot," he muttered impatiently; and
+he worked on for some time, but only to fall dreaming again, as he said,
+"A little more than a fortnight and we shall be ready.  Good luck to the
+expedition.  I wish it were gone."
+
+Then, in spite of himself, he began thinking about the conduct of Laure
+at his house, and wishing earnestly that he had never agreed to his
+reception as a guest.
+
+"But, there, he is a perfect gentleman," he argued; "and his conduct to
+me is almost too effusive.  Little Hester must find him all that could
+be desired, or she would complain.  Hallo, who is this?"
+
+"Company to see you," said Rasp, roughly; and, as Dutch left his stool,
+it was to meet Captain Studwick's invalid son and his sister, who came
+in, accompanied by a quiet, gentlemanly-looking young man, whom he
+introduced as Mr Meldon.
+
+"The medical gentleman who attends me now," said John Studwick, smiling;
+"not that I want much, do I, Mr Meldon?"
+
+"Well, no, we will not call you an invalid, Mr Studwick," said the
+stranger.
+
+"Fact is," said John Studwick, "I've set up a medical man of my own.
+Mr Meldon is going with us on the voyage."
+
+"What voyage?" said Dutch, eagerly.
+
+"Oh, you don't know, of course," said John Studwick, laughing.  "My
+father thinks a sea voyage will set me right, and I am going in the _Sea
+King_.  Bessy's going too."
+
+"Indeed," said Dutch, looking from one to the other, while Bessy
+coloured slightly, and turned away.
+
+"Yes, it's just settled this morning.  Mr Parkley is willing, so we
+shall have a sea voyage and adventure too.  I say, Mr Pugh, you asked
+me to come to your house."
+
+"Yes, and I shall be very glad," said Dutch, smiling.
+
+"Well, can we fix a day when we may be introduced to this Spanish Cuban
+gentleman?  I'm curious to know my fellow-passenger.  Sick man's fancy."
+
+"Thursday week, then," said Dutch, eagerly.  "Mr Meldon, perhaps, will
+join us."
+
+"I shall be very happy," replied that individual.
+
+And he glanced at Bessy, who coloured again slightly; and then, after a
+few words about the voyage, in which John Studwick expressed his regret
+that Dutch was not going on the expedition, the little party went away.
+
+"If I'm not mistaken," said Dutch to himself, as he climbed to his
+stool, "there's somebody there to heal the sore place in poor Bessy's
+heart.  Poor girl!  If I was not coxcombical to say so, I should think
+she really was fond of me.  There, come forth, little loadstone," he
+said, with a look of intense love lighting up his countenance, and
+raising the lid of his desk he took from a drawer a photographic carte
+of his wife, and set it before him, to gaze at it fondly.
+
+"I don't think I could have cared for Bessy Studwick, darling, even if
+there had been no Hester in the world."
+
+As he gazed tenderly at the little miniature of his wife's features,
+there seemed to come a peculiar look in the eyes--the expression on the
+face became one of pain.
+
+He knew it was fancy, but he gazed on at the picture till his
+imagination took a wider leap, and as if it were quite real, so real
+that in his disturbed state he could not have declared it untrue, he saw
+Hester seated in their own room, with every object around clearly
+defined, her head bent forward, and the Cuban kneeling at her feet, and
+pressing her hands to his lips.
+
+So real was the scene that he started away from the desk with a loud
+cry, oversetting his stool, and letting the heavy desk lid fall with a
+crash.
+
+In a moment Rasp ran into the office, armed with a heavy diver's axe,
+and then stood staring in amazement.
+
+"Is any one gone mad?" he growled.
+
+"It was nothing, Rasp," said Dutch, wiping the perspiration from his
+forehead.
+
+"I never heard nothing make such a row as that afore," growled Rasp.
+
+And then, putting the axe down, he made for the poker, had a good stoke
+at the fire, and went out muttering.
+
+Dutch opened the desk on the instant, but the scene was gone, and
+hastily closing the lid again he began to pace the room.
+
+For a moment his intention was to rush off home, but he restrained
+himself for the time, and tried to recall the past; but his brain was in
+a whirl.  At last he grew more calm, and took out his watch.
+
+"Only five o'clock," and he had said that he should get some dinner
+where he was, stop late at work, and not be home till after nine.
+
+He was to stay there and work for another three or four hours--to make
+calculations that required all his thought, when he had seen or conjured
+up that dreadful sight.  No: he could not bear it.  His nerves tingled,
+his brain was throbbing, and incipient madness seemed to threaten his
+reason as he prepared to obey the influence that urged him to go home.
+
+"The villain!" he groaned.  "It must be a warning.  Heaven help me, I
+will know the worst."
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER SIX.
+
+A PLEASANT EVENING.
+
+Dutch Pugh seized his hat and coat, and was about to dash into the
+street, when the remembrance of that evening before the coming of the
+Cuban came upon him, and he replaced them.
+
+"Stop a moment," he said hoarsely, as he began to walk up and down once
+more.  "Let me think--let me take matters coolly, or I shall go mad.
+There, there, this will not do; I'm going up and down here like a wild
+beast in his cage."
+
+He made an effort, and forced himself to sit down.  "Now," he said,
+"let's see.  What does this mean?  Here am I, a strong, full-blooded,
+sane man, and what have I been doing?"
+
+He paused for a moment before answering his question.
+
+"Letting my mind dwell on thoughts that are a disgrace to me, till I
+imagine--yes, imagine--so vividly that it seems real, all that nonsense.
+I picture the scene.  I magnify a simple piece of cardboard, and make
+it fit my own vile imaginations till I see what could never have taken
+place; and on the strength of that, what am I going to do?  Why rush off
+home as jealous and mad as an Othello, ready to distort everything I
+see, believe what does not exist, and generally play such a part as I
+should repent to my last day.  Poor girl, has it come to this, that I
+cannot trust you, and am going to play the spy upon your actions?"
+
+"No, hang me if I do.  Now, look here, Dutch, this is not manly," he
+continued, catechising himself.  "You are foolishly jealous of that man,
+are you not?"
+
+"Yes," he said, answering his own question.  "Now then, why are you
+jealous?  Has your wife ever given you the slightest cause?"
+
+"Never, so help me Heaven."
+
+"There, then, does not that satisfy you?  Why, man, if everyone who has
+a handsome wife were to act like this, what a world we should have.  So
+much, then, for your wife.  Now, then, about this man--what of him?  He
+is polished and refined, and pays your wife attentions.  Well, so would
+any foreigner under the circumstances.  Shame, man, shame; he is your
+guest, the guest, too, of a woman whose truth you know--whose whole life
+is beyond suspicion.  You leave her every day to go here or there, and
+does she ask you where you have been--what you have done?  Does she
+suspect you?  Why, Dutch Pugh, you wretched maniac, if she saw you
+talking to a score of pretty women how would she act?  I'll tell you.
+She'd open those sweet, candid eyes of hers, and beam upon you, and no
+more doubt your truth than that of Heaven."
+
+"And I'll not doubt yours, darling," he muttered, going to the desk,
+taking out the photograph, kissing it before putting it back; and then,
+tightening his lips, he took his seat, fixed his attention upon his
+work, and grew so intent that the next time he looked at his watch it
+was close upon nine, when, in a calm, matter-of-fact way, he walked all
+the way home.
+
+In spite of his determination, he could not help seeing that Hester
+looked pale and troubled when he entered the little drawing-room, and
+that her manner was strange and constrained.  She met his gaze in a
+timid way, and without doubt her hand trembled.
+
+He would not notice her, though, but began chatting to them, Laure being
+in the highest of spirits and relating anecdotes of his travels till
+Dutch felt in the best of spirits, and it was near midnight when they
+all rose for bed, Hester looking very pallid though--so much so that
+Dutch noticed it.
+
+"Are you quite well, dear?" he asked.
+
+She raised her eyes, and was about to speak when she caught Laure's eyes
+fixed upon her in a strange manner, and she replied hastily--
+
+"Oh, yes, dear, quite, quite well?"
+
+"You don't feel any of your old symptoms?"
+
+"Oh, no," she replied, smiling.  "You are so anxious about me."
+
+"No wonder," said Laure, "with such a pearl of a wife.  Well, I must to
+bed.  Good-night, dear host and hostess."
+
+He advanced to Hester Pugh and kissed her hand, turning directly to
+Dutch and pressing his so affectionately that the young Englishman
+returned the grip with such interest that the Cuban winced, and then
+smiled as he saw in Dutch's eyes how honest and true was the intent.
+
+"I was sorry to be detained to-night," continued Dutch frankly; "it must
+be very dull here.  Look here, Hester, I've asked John Studwick and his
+sister and Mr Meldon, a doctor, to dinner on Thursday.  Send a letter
+to Miss Studwick yourself and ask Mr Parkley as well, so as to have a
+pleasant evening."
+
+Hester Pugh brightened up directly, and began to talk of the
+arrangements for the dinner, while the Cuban went off with a peculiar
+smile upon his face.
+
+"But I don't know what to say about this, Dutch," said Hester,
+playfully, as she made an effort to be gay and shake off the lassitude
+that seemed to oppress her.  "Report says, sir, that Miss Bessy Studwick
+was very fond of a certain gentleman we know."
+
+"Poor Bessy!" said Dutch, thoughtfully.
+
+"Poor Bessy, sir.  Then it is all true?"
+
+"What--about Bessy Studwick, darling?  Well, I think it was.  It sounds
+conceited of me to say so, but I believe it was the case.  But," he
+added, drawing her to him, "this certain gentleman only had one heart,
+and a certain lady took possession of it all.  Hester, my darling, I
+never in my life had loving thought about more than one woman, and her I
+love more dearly every day."
+
+She closed her eyes, and the tears gathered beneath her lids as he
+pressed her to his heart and sighed gently.
+
+Miss Studwick's name was mentioned no more that night.
+
+The time passed quickly, away, and the Thursday came.  Dutch had been so
+fully occupied, and so determined not to listen to the promptings of his
+fancy, as he called it, that he refused to take any notice of the way in
+which the Cuban had settled down in his house.  From being all eager now
+to get the expedition fitted out, and ready to be pettish and impatient
+with Mr Parkley and Dutch for their careful, deliberate preparations,
+he seemed now quite careless, pleading indisposition, and spending the
+greater part of his time at the cottage.
+
+The dinner passed off most pleasantly, and the table was made bright by
+the magnificent flowers the Cuban had purchased as his offering to the
+feast, and by the rich fruit Mr Parkley had added in his rough pleasant
+way, coming down to the cottage with a heavy basket on his arm, and
+smiling all round as he dabbed his lace and head, hot with the exertion.
+
+To the great delight of Dutch, he saw that quite a liking had sprung up
+between his wife and Bessy Studwick, both evidently trying hard to let
+him see that they indulged in no thoughts of the past; while the Cuban
+ceased his attentions to Hester, and taking Bessy down to dinner, heaped
+his foreign, nameless little results of polish upon the tall, Juno-like
+maiden.
+
+The only person in the party who looked grave was John Studwick, who
+watched all this with uneasy glances, though it must be said that he
+seemed just as much annoyed when Mr Meldon, the young doctor, was
+speaking to his sister.  He lacked no attentions, though, himself, for,
+compassionating the state of the invalid's health, both Dutch and Hester
+tried hard to make the meeting pleasant to him.
+
+"The little wife looks ill, Pugh," said Mr Parkley, as they went in to
+dinner.  "You ask Mr Meldon his opinion about her by-and-by.  Our
+coming worries her."
+
+"I'll ask her if she's poorly or worried," said Dutch smiling.
+"Hester!"
+
+She came up to him looking pale and startled, but he did not notice it.
+
+"Mr Parkley thinks you wish all the visitors anywhere," said Dutch
+playfully.
+
+"He does not," said Hester, placing her hand on Mr Parkley's arm.  "He
+knows he is always so very welcome here."
+
+She went in with him to dinner, and evidently exerted herself greatly to
+chase away the cloud that shadowed her, devoting herself to her guests,
+but in spite of her efforts her eyes were more than once directed
+partially to where Laure was chatting volubly with Bessy Studwick, and,
+meeting his, remained for a few moments as if fascinated or fixed by his
+gaze.
+
+Later on in the evening, when they were all in the drawing-room, Hester
+seemed quite excited, and full of forced gaiety, while Laure was
+brimming with anecdote, chatting more volubly than ever.  Before long he
+was asked to sing, and Hester sat down to the piano.
+
+While he was singing in a low, passionate voice some Spanish love song,
+and those near were listening as if enthralled, Dutch felt his arm
+touched, and John Studwick motioned him to follow into the back
+drawing-room, and then, seeing it was impossible to speak there, Dutch
+led the way into the little dining-room, where, with the rich tones of
+the Cuban's voice penetrating to where they stood, the invalid, who
+seemed greatly excited, caught his host by the arm.
+
+"Dutch Pugh," he said, "I like you because you're so frank and manly,
+and that's why I speak.  I shan't go out with this expedition if that
+half Spanish fellow is going too.  I hate him.  Look how he has been
+pestering Bessy all the evening.  I don't like it.  Why did you ask him
+here?"
+
+"My dear fellow," exclaimed Dutch, "be reasonable.  You expressed a wish
+to meet him."
+
+"So I did.  Yes, so I did, but I don't like him now.  I don't like his
+ways.  Pugh, if I was a married man, I would not have that fellow in my
+house for worlds."
+
+"My dear John Studwick," said Dutch, uneasily, "this is foolish.  He is
+a foreigner, and it is his way."
+
+"I don't like his way," cried the young man, whose cheeks were flushed
+and eyes unnaturally bright.  "If he won Bessy from me, I should kill
+him.  I was afraid of you once, but that's passed now."
+
+"But, my dear boy," said Dutch, laying his hand on his shoulder, "you
+must expect your sister to form an attachment some day."
+
+"Yes, some day," said the young man.  "Some day; but let her wait till
+I'm gone.  I couldn't bear to have her taken from me now.  She is
+everything to me."
+
+"My dear Studwick, don't talk like that."
+
+"Why not?" he replied with a strange look.  "Do you think I don't know?
+I shall only live about six months: nothing will save me."
+
+"Nonsense, man!  That sea trip will set you right again.  Come, let's
+get back into the drawing-room."
+
+He led the way back, and, seeking his opportunity, whispered to Bessy
+Studwick that her brother was low-spirited, and taking her from the
+Cuban's side, he made John Studwick happy by bringing her to him.
+
+The Cuban's eyes flashed, and he arose and crossed the room, so that
+when Dutch looked in that direction it was to see that he whispered
+something to Hester, who glanced across at him where he was standing by
+Bessy.
+
+The next minute he was seized by Mr Parkley, who backed him up into a
+corner, where he seized one particular button on the young man's
+breast--a habit he had, going to the same particular button as a small
+pig seeks the same single spot when in search of nutriment.
+
+"Dutch," said Mr Parkley, as soon as they were alone, and while he was
+busily trying with his left hand to screw the button off, "Dutch, shake
+hands."
+
+The young man did so wonderingly.
+
+"That's right: no one's looking.  That chap's going to sing another
+song, and little Hester's getting ready the music.  See here, Dutch, you
+won't be offended at what I say?"
+
+"Offended?  Absurd!"
+
+"Old, tried, staunch friend, you know.  Wouldn't say a word to hurt you,
+and I love that little girl of yours like a father--just as if she was
+my own flesh and blood."
+
+"And I'm sure Hester loves and respects you, Mr Parkley."
+
+"Yes, yes, of course; and that's what makes me so wild about it."
+
+"I don't understand you, Mr Parkley," said Dutch, uneasily.
+
+"There, that's what I was afraid of when I spoke.  But I must say it
+now, Pugh.  I'm afraid I made a mistake in asking you to invite that
+Cuban hero.  I'll tell him to come and stay with me."
+
+"Indeed, I beg you will do no such thing, Mr Parkley," said Dutch
+hotly, as his face burned with mortification.  "I understand what you
+mean, sir, and can assure you that your suspicions are unjust."
+
+"I'm very glad to hear you say so, Pugh, I am indeed," said Mr Parkley
+earnestly.  "Don't be angry with me, my dear boy.  I'm getting old--
+stupid, I suppose.  There, don't take any more notice of what I said."
+
+Under these circumstances it was hard work for Dutch Pugh to preserve an
+unclouded face before his guests, but he strove hard--the harder that he
+was annoyed at people for having the same fancies as those he had tried
+so hard to banish.  It was, then, with no small feeling of pleasure that
+he welcomed the time when his guests departed, but even then he was not
+to be spared a fresh wound, for on taking Bessy Studwick down to the fly
+she said to him in a low voice:
+
+"Dutch, I have been trying so hard to-night to love your wife.  I do so
+hope you will be very happy."
+
+"Thank you, Bessy, thank you," he said warmly.  "I'm sure you wish me
+well."
+
+"I do, I do, indeed," she whispered earnestly, "and therefore I say I do
+not like your new friend, that foreign gentleman.  He is treacherous: I
+am sure he is.  Good-night."
+
+"Good-night!" said Dutch to himself as he stood on the gravel path with
+the gate in his hand listening to the departed wheels; and then in spite
+of his determination the flood of evil fancies came rolling back,
+sweeping all before it.
+
+"They all see it, and think me blind," he groaned as he literally reeled
+against the gate.  "Those thoughts, then, were a warning--one I would
+not heed.  Hester--Hester--my love," he moaned as he pressed his hands
+to his forehead.  "Oh, my God, that it should come to this!"
+
+He stood leaning against the gate post for a few minutes in a stunned,
+dazed way, but recovering himself he clenched his hands and exclaimed
+through his teeth:
+
+"I will not believe it.  She could not be no false."
+
+He strode in, apparently quite calm, to find Hester standing by the
+fire-place, looking very scared and pale, while Laure, who had thrown
+himself back upon the couch, began to laugh in a peculiar way.
+
+"Ah, you English husbands," he said, banteringly, "how you do forsake
+your beautiful wives.  But there, the fair visitor was very sweet and
+gracious.  I almost fell in love myself."
+
+Dutch Pugh's eyes flashed for a moment, but he said nothing, only
+glanced at his wife, who met his look in a troubled way, and then let
+her eyes fall to the carpet, while Laure went on talking in a playful,
+bantering manner.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+MORE SHADOWS.
+
+From that night a complete change seemed to have come upon the home of
+Dutch Pugh.  He had more than once determined upon putting an end to the
+Cuban's stay, feeling at the same time as if he would like to end his
+life; but reason told him that his were, after all, but suspicions, and
+that perhaps they were unjust.  Under the circumstances, he sought for
+relief in work, and strove night and day to perfect the arrangements
+which now fast approached completion.  Captain Studwick was to be in
+command of the large yacht-like schooner that had been secured, and was
+being carefully fitted with the necessaries in stores and machinery.
+Two of the divers engaged in raising the copper had volunteered to go,
+and a capital crew had been selected.  The cabins were comfortably
+furnished, there being plenty of space, and places were set apart for
+the captain's son and daughter, while a gentleman friend--a naturalist--
+had, on learning from Captain Studwick the part of the world to which
+the ship was to sail, petitioned hard, and obtained permission to go.
+
+This last gentleman said his object was to collect specimens of the
+wonderful birds of Central America; but the probabilities are that if he
+had not been aware that Bessy Studwick was to be of the party, he, being
+a very bad sailor, would have stayed at home.
+
+By degrees everything necessary was put on board the handsome vessel,
+and though the ship's destination was kept a secret, and the real object
+of her mission confided to few, she formed the general topic of
+conversation in the port, and plenty of exaggerations flew about.
+
+The energetic way in which Dutch worked served to lull to a certain
+extent the sense of pain that he endured; but he suffered bitterly; and
+at last it had come to this: that he spent as little of his time at home
+as possible, returning there, however, at night faint and weary, but
+with a heart sickness that drove away the needful sleep.
+
+It afforded him some gratification, though, to find that Miss Studwick
+often called at his home; and when, on more than one occasion, she came
+with her brother to the office, he read in her eyes the deep sympathy
+that she felt for him, and asked himself why he had not made this woman
+his wife.
+
+He sat often quite late in the office, long after Rasp had grumblingly
+gone off with a final stoke at the fire, which afterwards sank and died
+out; and at such times, in the semi-darkness, with the goggle-eyed
+helmets seeming to stare at him and rejoice in his sufferings, he asked
+himself what he should do?  Whether he should leave home for ever?
+Whether he should put her away from him, and wait till some time in the
+far-off distance of life when she might, perhaps, come to him, and ask
+his pardon for the wrong she had done.
+
+"No!" he would exclaim, "I will not believe such evil of her.  She is
+dazzled by this polished scoundrel, and poor, rough, I compare badly
+with him, for she cannot see our hearts."
+
+Should he end the matter at once?
+
+No, he felt that he could not, for he had nothing but his bare, cruel
+suspicions to go upon, the greatest of which was that before long Hester
+would flee with this man, and his home would be wretched.
+
+Wretched?  If not wretched already, for all was wretched at home: Hester
+was low-spirited; for his own part, he rarely spoke; and the Cuban
+avoided him.
+
+So far, Dutch had indulged in the hope that he might, after all, be
+deceiving himself, when one evening, on entering the little drawing-room
+suddenly, Hester started up, looking confused, and left the room, while
+the Cuban turned away with a short nod, and walked to the window.
+
+From that hour every spare moment was devoted to watching: for the
+suspicion grew stronger now that before long, if he did not stay it, his
+home would be left desolate.
+
+This lasted for some days, when the idea was checked by Laure himself,
+who, as the time approached for the departure of the expedition,
+suddenly began to display great interest in the proceedings, so that
+Dutch felt compelled to own that his ideas of flight must be wrong; in
+fact, it was as if Laure had divined his thoughts just as he was about
+to speak to Mr Parkley, and tell him his suspicions that the Cuban
+evidently meant to give up the expedition, and, much as it would tear
+his heart to speak, give the reasons for his belief.
+
+Hardly, though, had he come to the conclusion that he was wrong, when a
+trifle set him off back in his former way of thinking, for his mind was
+now a chaos of wildering fancies, and the slightest thing set his
+jealous feelings in a blaze.
+
+He would not speak to Hester; he would not take an open, manly way of
+seeing whether his suspicions were just; but, submitting his better
+parts to his distorted reason, he nursed his anguish, and so it fell out
+that one night he found himself watching his own house, in the full
+belief that his wife's illness in the morning before he left for the
+office was a subterfuge, and that the time had come for her to take some
+step fatal to her future.
+
+"But I will stop it," muttered Dutch to himself, as with throbbing pulse
+and beating temples he avoided the gate, so as not to have his footsteps
+heard on the gravel, and, climbing the fence, entered his own garden
+like a thief.
+
+He had hardly reached the little lawn when he heard the sound of wheels,
+and stepping behind a clump of laurels he stopped, listening with
+beating heart, for here was food for his suspicions.
+
+As he expected, the fly stopped at the gate; a man in a cloak got out,
+went hastily up the path, knocked softly at the door, and was admitted
+on the instant.
+
+Dutch paused, hesitating as to what he should do.  Should he follow and
+enter?  No, he decided that he would stay there, and stop them as they
+came out, for the fly was waiting.
+
+Where would Hester be now? he asked himself, with the dimly-seen house
+seeming to swim before him; and the answer came as if hissed into his
+ear by some mocking fiend--
+
+"In her bedroom, getting something for her flight."
+
+Half-a-dozen steps over the soft grass took him where he could see the
+window, and of course there was a light there, and then--
+
+The blood seemed to rush to his brain, a horrible sense of choking came
+upon him, and he groaned as he staggered back, for there, plainly enough
+seen, was the figure of Hester, her hair hanging loose as she lay back
+over the arm of a man, who was half-leading, half-carrying her towards
+the door.
+
+All this in shadow was sharply cost upon the blind, and with a groan of
+mingled rage and misery Dutch rushed towards the house, but only to
+totter and fall heavily, for it was as though a sharp blow had been
+dealt him, and for some time he lay there passive and ignorant of what
+passed around.
+
+He recovered at length, and lay trying to think--to call to mind what
+this meant.  Why was he lying there on the wet grass, with this strange
+deathly feeling of sickness upon him?
+
+Then all came back with a rush, and he rose to his feet to see that the
+light was still in the bedroom, but the shadows were gone.
+
+With a cry of horror he ran to the gate, but the carriage was not there,
+and he stood listening.
+
+Yes, there was the sound of wheels dying away.  No, they had stopped,
+and he was about to rush off in pursuit when a hasty step coming in his
+direction stayed him, for he knew it well, and, drawing back, he let the
+Cuban pass him, then followed him softly as he stole round the house,
+going on tiptoe towards the dining-room window, where Dutch caught him
+by the shoulder.
+
+"Ah," he said, laughing, "so our gallant Englishman is on the watch, is
+he?  Does the jealous trembler think I would steal his wife?"
+
+"Dog!" hissed Dutch, catching him by the throat, "what are you doing
+here?"
+
+"What is that to you, fool!" exclaimed the Cuban, flashing into rage.
+"Loose me, you madman, or you shall repent it.  Curse you, you are
+strong."
+
+Blind to everything but his maddening passion, kept back now for so many
+days, and absorbed by the feeling that he could now wreak his vengeance
+upon the man who had wrecked his home, Dutch savagely tightened his hold
+upon his adversary, who, though a strong man, bent like a reed before
+him.  It was no time for reason to suggest that he might be wrong; the
+idea had possession of the young man's soul that he was stopping an
+intended flight, and he drove the Cuban backwards, and had nearly forced
+him across a garden seat when Laure, writhing like an eel, got partly
+free.
+
+"Curse your English brute strength!" he muttered, and getting his arm
+from his cloak, he struck Dutch full on the temple with some weapon, and
+the young man fell once more prone on the grass.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+BREAKING THE CONTRACT.
+
+Five days had passed since the encounter in the garden, and Dutch Pugh
+had not been back to his home.  He had lain for some time stunned from
+the blow he had received, and then risen half-dazed, and in a wretched,
+dejected way made for the town, where, letting himself into the office,
+he had thrown himself upon the floor, and slept heavily till morning, to
+the great surprise of the clerks, who found him there when they came.
+
+With an intense desire to hide his anguish from everyone, he had given
+out that he had fallen asleep after being many hours at work, and no
+notice was taken of his soiled clothes.  Then, with the truth gradually
+oozing out, that no flight had been intended, but that for some reason,
+so Mr Parkley said, Senor Laure had gone back to his hotel, Dutch
+worked on, superintending till the vessel was ready for sea.
+
+The stores and machinery were complete for the purpose, and the
+passengers were on board.  Moreover, a brother of Mr Parkley had been
+invited to assist in the business during the chief partner's absence,
+and together Mr Parkley and Dutch walked down to the dock.
+
+"We had a sort of hint from Bessy Studwick that you haven't been home
+for some days, Pugh," said Mr Parkley.
+
+"Don't talk about it, please."
+
+"Well, I won't much," said Mr Parkley, "for I guess a great deal.  It
+was all my fault, Dutch, my dear boy.  I had no business to have
+proposed such a thing, and, believe me, if I had known what a scoundrel
+the fellow was, I would never have entered into this project with him."
+
+"Pray say no more," exclaimed Dutch.
+
+"I must, my dear boy, I must, for I want to clear myself.  You see the
+preparation for this trip means five thousand pounds, and I cannot throw
+the matter over; the loss is too heavy, or else I would."
+
+"Oh, no, it is impossible," exclaimed Dutch.
+
+"If I had known my man sooner, I would have seen him at Hanover before I
+would have had anything to do with him.  But look here, my dear Pugh, I
+couldn't help hearing a great deal about your domestic trouble.  Haven't
+you been wronging the little woman?"
+
+"If you have any respect or feeling for me, Mr Parkley, say no more."
+
+"All right, my dear fellow," said the other, with a sigh, "I will not;
+only act like a sensible man in all things--home and business.  Heigho,
+I really wish I was not going, but the idea of these hidden treasures
+sets me on fire."
+
+Mr Parkley forgot all his hesitation as they stepped on board and saw
+how--in spite of the bustle and confusion consequent upon receiving late
+supplies of fresh meat and vegetables--ship-shape and excellent were
+Captain Studwick's arrangements.  John Studwick was on board, seated
+upon a wicker chair, and his sister beside him; Mr Meldon, the young
+doctor, was leaning over the bulwarks, with a very tall, thin young man,
+the naturalist friend; the sailors were busy lowering bales and
+arranging coops and hens; and all was ready for the start--in fact, the
+dockmen were ready to warp the schooner out, and after a short run
+behind a tug down the harbour, they would have the open Channel before
+them.
+
+There was a goodly concourse of people about the wharves, for the object
+of the schooner's trip had somehow gained wind, and while some expressed
+interest and curiosity in the voyage, others laughingly called it a
+fool's errand.
+
+"Has anybody seen Senor Lorry?" said Mr Parkley at last.
+
+"I had a note from him," said Captain Studwick, "He said he would be
+down here punctually at twelve.  Has his luggage come, Oakum?"
+
+"None on it, sir," said the rough old sailor, pulling his forelock.
+
+"That's strange," said the captain.  "When did you see him, Parkley?"
+
+"Last night, and he said he would be aboard in the morning, and glad of
+it, for he was sick of England."
+
+"Twelve o'clock now," said the captain.  "Well, the tide serves; I must
+give the word for getting out of dock.  He must have a longer row for
+being late.  He's sure to come, of course."
+
+"Oh, yes," said Mr Parkley; but he glanced uneasily at Dutch, as if he
+did not feel sure.
+
+"Ready there," cried the captain.  "Now, my lads, be handy--cast off
+those ropes for'ard.  Oh, here he is.  Hold hard there."
+
+"But where's his luggage?" said Mr Parkley.
+
+"Oh, behind the crowd," said the captain.  "Come along, sir, we were
+going without you."
+
+"Indeed!" said the Cuban, with a smile.  "I doubt that.  Where would you
+go?"
+
+"Where Mr Parkley told me," said the captain.  "Give me the order.
+I'll find the place.  Let's see, Mr Pugh, we are to send you back in
+the tug, I suppose."
+
+Dutch nodded.
+
+"Now, then, for'ard there," cried the captain; "be ready to cast off.
+Are you ready?"
+
+"Ay, ay," came in chorus from the smart, well-picked crew.
+
+"Stop!" exclaimed Laure in a loud voice, and, turning to Mr Parkley, he
+pointed to Dutch and said, "That is your partner, is it not, Mr
+Parkley?"
+
+"Yes, certainly."
+
+"And he will share in the profits of this expedition?"
+
+"Certainly he will, sir."
+
+"Then, sir, I break our engagement.  I shall have nothing to do with the
+voyage.  The matter is entirely off."
+
+"Confound it all, sir!" cried Mr Parkley, in a passion.  "You can't do
+that."
+
+"But, sir, I have done it," said the Cuban, lighting a cigar.
+
+"What!  After I've spent all this money in preparation?"
+
+"I have told you," said the Cuban, contemptuously--and he gave a
+malignant glance at Dutch.
+
+"Mr Parkley," said Dutch, stepping forward, "my private quarrel with
+this man shall not stand in your way.  All this preparation has been
+made for the expedition, and my being your partner shall not stop it.
+Sir, our partnership is at an end."
+
+"Is it?" said Mr Parkley, with his teeth set.  "No, I'll be hanged if
+it is;" and as the men gathered round, wondering at what they had heard,
+he laid his hand on Dutch Pugh's shoulder.  "I've proved you, my lad,
+but I've not proved this man, who at the first touch bends and nearly
+breaks.  We are partners, and mean to stay so, and Mr Lorry here will
+have to keep to his bond, or I'll soon see what the law says to him."
+
+The Cuban smiled contemptuously.
+
+"Suppose I say it was all a mad dream, and I know of no such place: what
+then?"
+
+"Why, you are a bigger scoundrel than I took you for."
+
+"Sir!" cried the Cuban, menacingly.
+
+"Oh, you want to frighten me with your big looks, sir," cried Mr
+Parkley.  "Now then, I ask you in plain English, will you fulfil your
+undertaking, and show me the place where the old Spanish galleons are
+sunk?"
+
+"No," said the Cuban, coolly, "I will not help to enrich my enemy!" and
+he again looked indignantly at Dutch.
+
+"Mr Parkley!" exclaimed the latter, "I cannot see all this costly
+enterprise ruined because of my private trouble with this villain."
+
+"Villain!" cried Laure, confronting Dutch, whose face flushed and whose
+hands were half raised to seize his enemy.
+
+"Be silent," he said, in a low, hoarse voice, "I've that within me that
+I can hardly control.  If you rouse it again, by the God who made me,
+I'll strangle you and hurl you over the side."
+
+The Cuban involuntarily shrank from the menacing face before him, and
+Dutch by a strong effort turned to Mr Parkley.
+
+"Make terms with him, sir.  I will not stand in your way."
+
+"Yes, I'll make terms with him," exclaimed Mr Parkley, angrily.  "Now,
+sir, I ask you again will you fulfil your contract?"
+
+The Cuban half-closed his eyes, puffed forth a ring of smoke, and said
+quietly,--
+
+"In my country, when one man strikes another the insult is washed out in
+blood.  Your bold partner there has struck me, a weaker man than
+himself, and I cannot avenge the insult, for you cold islanders here
+boast of your courage, but you will not equalise the weak and strong by
+placing the sword, the knife, or the pistol in their hands.  You say no;
+that is the law.  You call in your police.  Fools! cowards! do you think
+that will satisfy me?"
+
+"Did Mr Pugh strike you, then?" said Mr Parkley.
+
+"Yes, three cruel blows," hissed the Cuban, with his face distorted with
+rage.
+
+"Then you must have deserved it," cried Mr Parkley.
+
+"You think so," said the Cuban, growing unnaturally calm again.  "Then I
+say I must have satisfaction somehow.  Your partner makes me his enemy,
+and you must suffer.  I shall not fulfil my contract.  I will not take
+you where the galleons lie.  You have made your preparations.  Good.
+You must suffer for it, even as I suffer.  I give up one of the dreams
+of my life.  I will not go."
+
+A pang shot through Dutch Pugh's breast, for in this refusal to depart
+he saw an excuse to remain in England, and once more the hot blood rose
+to his face.
+
+"You absolutely refuse, then, to show Captain Studwick and me where the
+objects we seek are hid?" said Mr Parkley, turning up his cuffs as if
+he meant to fight; and the Cuban's hand went into his breast.
+
+"I absolutely refuse," said the Cuban, disdainfully.
+
+"You know, I suppose, that you forfeit half the result," said Mr
+Parkley.
+
+"Yes," said the Cuban, moving towards the gangway, "I know I lose half
+the result."
+
+"You know I have spent five thousand pounds in preparations," said Mr
+Parkley, calmly.
+
+"Yes," sneered the Cuban, "and you have your law.  Go to it for revenge;
+it may please you."
+
+"No," said Mr Parkley, looking round at the frowning faces of his
+friends; "that means spending another thousand to gain the day, and
+nothing to be obtained of a beggarly Cuban adventurer, who has neither
+money nor honour."
+
+"Take care!" cried Laure, flashing into rage, and baring his teeth like
+some wild cat.  But the next instant, with wonderful self-command, he
+cooled down, standing erect, proud and handsome, with his great black
+beard half-way down his breast.  "Bah!" he exclaimed, "the English
+diving-master is angry, and stoops to utter coward's insults."
+
+"I'll show you, Mr Lorry, that I am no coward over this," said Mr
+Parkley, firmly.  "You mean to throw us over, then, now that we are
+ready to start."
+
+"You threaten to throw me over," said the Cuban, smiling disdainfully.
+"If you mean, do I still refuse to go, I say yes! yes! yes!  You and
+your partner shall never touch a single bar of the treasure.  Ha! ha!
+What will you do now?"
+
+"Start without you," said Mr Parkley, coolly.  "Captain Studwick, see
+that this man goes ashore."
+
+The Cuban was already close to the gangway, but he turned sharply round,
+and took a couple of steps towards the last speaker.
+
+"What!" he said, with a look of apprehension flashing out of his eyes.
+"You will go yourself without one to guide you?"
+
+"Yes," said Mr Parkley; "and if you went down on your knees now to beg
+me, damme, sir, you've broke your contract, and I wouldn't take you."
+
+"Ha--ha--ha--ha--ha!" laughed the Cuban, derisively, as he quickly
+recovered his composure.  "A beggarly threat.  Do you not know that it
+took me five years of constant toil to make the discovery? and you talk
+like this!"
+
+"Yes," said Mr Parkley.  "It took a beggarly mongrel foreigner five
+years, no doubt; but it would not take an enterprising Englishman five
+weeks."
+
+The Cuban's hand went into his breast again as he heard the words
+"beggarly mongrel foreigner," and Captain Studwick grasped a
+marlin-spike, ready to strike his arm down if he drew a weapon; but the
+rage was crushed down directly, and Laure laughed again derisively.
+
+"Go, then, fools, if you like.  But I know: it is an empty threat.  Ha,
+ha, ha!  Go alone.  A pleasant voyage, Senor Parkley, and you, too,
+Senor Captain.  You will perhaps find me there before you."
+
+"Perhaps," said Mr Parkley.  "But go I will, and hang me if I come back
+till I have found it."
+
+"Well, for the matter o' that, Master Parkley and Capen Studwick," said
+a rough voice, "if it means putting the schooner at anchor where them
+Spanish galleons was sunk in the Carib Sea, if you'll let me take the
+wheel, and you'll find fine weather, I'll steer you to the very spot."
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER NINE.
+
+'POLLO'S EVIDENCE.
+
+"What?" shrieked the Cuban, rushing forward, with outstretched hands,
+but only to control himself directly and smile contemptuously.
+
+"I says as I'll clap this here schooner right over two or three spots
+where old ships went down, and also off the coast where one on 'em lies
+buried in the sand, all but her ribs and a few planks," said the old
+sailor, Sam Oakum.
+
+"He's a liar--a cheat.  Bah!" exclaimed the Cuban with contempt.
+
+"I wouldn't adwise you to say them sorter things, gov'nor," said Oakum,
+quietly.  "I knowd a chap as rubbed the skin off the bridge of his nose
+wunst and blacked both his eyes agin my fist for saying less than that."
+
+"Bah!" said the Cuban, snapping his fingers.
+
+"And do you know, Oakum?" exclaimed Mr Parkley, eagerly.  "Can you
+prove it?"
+
+"If anybody would pass a man a bit o' 'bacco, I could, I dessay," said
+the old fellow quietly.  "Thanky, mate.  Just pass the word for 'Pollo
+to come aft, will you?  He's in the galley."
+
+A sailor who had given Oakum the tobacco ran forward, while all waited
+in breathless attention--the Cuban standing like a statue, with folded
+arms, but, in spite of his apparent composure, smoking furiously, like a
+volcano preparing for an eruption.
+
+The sailor came back directly.
+
+"Says he's cooking the passengers' dinner, and can't leave it, sir,"
+said the sailor.
+
+"Tell the cook to come here directly.  I want him," exclaimed the
+captain, sternly; and the sailor ran off, returning with 'Pollo, the
+black cook, rubbing his shiny face.
+
+"I speck, sah, if de rose meat burn himself all up, you no blame de
+cook, sah," he said.
+
+"No, no, 'Pollo; only answer a question or two."
+
+"Yes, sah; d'reckly, sah."
+
+"Look ye here, 'Pollo, old mate," said Oakum; "you and I have had some
+rum voyages in our time, old nigger."
+
+"You call me ole mate, sah," said 'Pollo, angrily, "I answer hundred
+tousan queshtum.  You call me nigger, sah, I dam if I say noder word."
+
+"It's all right, 'Pollo, I won't any more.  You're a coloured gentleman;
+and, though I chaff you sometimes, I know that I can always depend on
+you, fair weather or foul."
+
+The black nodded, showed his white teeth, and his eyes twinkled.
+
+"Now look here, 'Pollo, old man; do you remember being in the little
+brig off Caraccas, when we had the gold?"
+
+"Yes, sah, I membah well; and membah when we had do tree hundred lilly
+women aboard de big ship, and de big horse alligator woman.  Yah, yah,
+yah!"
+
+"So do I, 'Pollo; but what did we do when we were in the brig?"
+
+"Catch de fish," said 'Pollo.
+
+"To be sure we did; but what did we find lying down fathoms deep in the
+clear water?"
+
+"You mean de ole 'Panish gold ship, sah?"
+
+"There!" said Sam Oakum, turning round with a grim smile on his mahogany
+face; "Ain't that there corroborative evidence, sir?"
+
+"We find two ole ship, sah, and one on de shore," said 'Pollo, volubly,
+"and I dibe down, sah."
+
+"Did you find anything?" said Mr Parkley, eagerly.
+
+"No, sah, him too deep down, but I membah perfect well, sah, all about
+'em.  All 'Panish ship, sah."
+
+"That will do, 'Pollo," said Mr Parkley.  "Now go and see to the
+dinner.  By-the-way, 'Pollo, will you come into the cabin after dinner,
+and join Mr Oakum in drinking a glass of wine to the success of our
+voyage?"
+
+"I hab great pleasure, sah," said the black, with his eyes twinkling;
+and as he went away bowing and smiling, Mr Parkley turned to the Cuban.
+
+"Now, Mr Lorry, or Laure, or whatever your name is, will you have the
+goodness to step ashore?  This is my ship, and this expedition belongs
+to me and my partner.  You have refused to carry out your contract
+before twenty witnesses, and now you see that I can do without you."
+
+"But," said Laure, "the man is mad.  He cannot take you; but I will not
+carry my revenge so far.  Make me a good concession and I will consent
+to go."
+
+"I thank you, Senor Laure, for endorsing the statement of our old
+friend, Oakum, and the ship's cook, and since you are so kind, I will
+make you a concession."
+
+"You consent," said the Cuban, more eagerly than he intended.
+
+"Yes," said Mr Parkley.  "You shall be allowed to walk off the ship
+instead of being kicked off.  Captain Studwick, see that man off this
+deck."
+
+A look that was almost demoniacal overspread the Cuban's face, and
+shaking his fist menacingly, he stepped on to the wharf and disappeared
+through the crowd.
+
+"Now, then," said Mr Parkley, triumphantly, "we are ready.  Captain
+Studwick, westward ho!  Hallo, what now?  What is it, Rasp?" as that
+individual came panting up.
+
+"Are you sure as you've got all your company aboard?" said Rasp.
+
+"Yes, I think so.  Eh, captain?"
+
+"My crew is all right, certainly," said the captain.  "I don't know
+anything about yours."
+
+"To be sure, I did not think to look after them as they had promised to
+be aboard in good time.  Where are John Tolly and James Morrison?"
+
+"What, them?" said Oakum.  "Oh, they came aboard at nine this morning."
+
+"Yes," said one of the sailors, "but they went ashore again about ten; I
+saw 'em go."
+
+"There," said Rasp, "where would you have been without me?  I see John
+Tolly go by the orfice half-an-hour ago, so drunk he could hardly walk,
+and Morrison as well, and--"
+
+"Tut, tut, tut! we must have them," exclaimed Mr Parkley.  "The
+scoundrels! to deceive us like this.  Pugh, come ashore, we must get the
+police to help us."
+
+"Then we shall not sail to-day," said the captain, with a shrug.  "Never
+mind, we shall have the more time for getting ship-shape."
+
+"Nonsense!" said Mr Parkley eagerly; "we shall soon be back."
+
+The captain shook his head, for he knew better; and night had fallen,
+and no more had been seen of the two divers on whom so much depended.
+
+As the day wore on, Mr Parkley and Dutch returned to the ship two or
+three times to report progress, if such it could be called, for nothing
+was heard of the two divers.
+
+"Dutch Pugh," said Mr Parkley, on one of these meetings, "I shall never
+forgive myself.  Here am I, as I thought, such a business-like man, and
+what do I do but go and forget to look after the very mainspring of my
+works.  I fit all my wheels together, and then when I want to wind up
+there's no springs.  What should we have done without divers?"
+
+Night closed in without success, and a little party assembled in the
+cabin, for as the ship might sail at any time, those who occupied the
+place of passengers felt that it was hardly worth while to return
+ashore.  Mr Parkley kept a bright face on the matter, but it was
+evident that he was a good deal dispirited, though he chatted merrily
+enough, and talked to John Studwick and his sister of the beauties of
+the land they were about to visit.
+
+"If we get off, Mr Parkley," said John Studwick, quietly.
+
+"Get off, sir; why of course we shall.  These two scoundrels will come
+off to-morrow morning, penniless, and with sick headaches.  The
+rascals!"
+
+Mr Parkley was reckoning without his host, for at that moment the two
+divers, each with twenty pounds in his pocket above the advance pay he
+had drawn, were on their way to London, and the man who had given the
+money was now forward in the darkest part of the deck, crouching beneath
+the high bulwarks of the large three-masted schooner, whispering with
+one of the men.
+
+Their discussion seemed to take a long time, but it ended in the other
+man of the watch joining them, and the conversation still went on.
+
+It was interrupted by the coming on deck of Captain Studwick, and
+silence ensued, while the captain took a turn round the deck, and gave
+an eye to the riding lights, for, as evening had come on, the vessel had
+been warped out of dock, and lay a couple of hundred yards out in the
+great estuary, fast to one of the buoys.
+
+"We might have some of the lads taking a fancy to go on shore," he had
+said to Mr Parkley, when he complained of having to take a boat to come
+off; "and we shall be all the more ready to drop down with the tide.  I
+don't want to find my crew like yours to-morrow morning--missing."
+
+Finding all apparently quite right, and the lanterns burning, brightly,
+Captain Studwick took another turn round the deck, peeped down into the
+forecastle, where the men were talking and smoking, then went right
+forward and looked over at the hawser fast to the buoy, said a word or
+two of warning to the men, and went below.
+
+It was now ten o'clock, and excessively dark--so dark that it was
+impossible to see across the deck, and the lights hoisted up in the
+rigging seemed like great stars.  The buzz of conversation in the
+forecastle had grown much more subdued, and then suddenly ceased, though
+a dull buzzing murmur could be heard from the deckhouse, where the dim
+light of a smoky lantern, hung from the roof, shone upon the bright
+cooking apparatus with which the place was furnished, and upon the
+glistening teeth of 'Pollo, the black cook, and Oakum, the old sailor,
+both smoking, and in earnest converse.
+
+"Yes, 'Pollo," said Oakum, "it seemed to bring up old times, and some of
+our vyges, so I thought I'd come and have a palaver before we turned
+in."
+
+"I glad to see you, Mass' Sam Oakum, sah, and I hope you often gin me de
+pleasure ob your company during de voyage.  I 'spect you, Mass' Oakum,
+and you always 'spect colour genlum, sah, dough we use quarrel some
+time."
+
+"Only chaff, 'Pollo."
+
+"Course it was, sah, only chaff, and nuffum at all.  And now I tink ob
+it, sah, I hav 'plendid 'rangement here, and supply for de cooking; and
+when, by an' by, you find de beef too salt, and de biscuit too hard,
+juss you drop in here, sah, after dark, and 'Pollo most likely find
+lilly bit ob somefin nice leff from de cabin dinner."
+
+"Thanky, 'Pollo, thanky," said Oakum.  "But what do you say, eh
+ship-mate?  I think we can find the old galleons again?"
+
+"I quite 'tent, sah, to put dis ship in de hands ob such sperienced
+navigator as Mass' Sam Oakum, who know all ober de world quite perfeck.
+You tink we sail in de morning?"
+
+"If they catch them two skulking scoundrels of divers, 'Pollo.  I'd just
+like to ropesend that Mr John Tolly.  Gets three times the pay o' the
+other men, and is ten times as saucy."
+
+"'Top!"
+
+"Eh?" said Oakum.
+
+"What dat, Mass' Oakum, sah?" said the black, whose eyes were rolling
+and ears twitching.
+
+Oakum listened attentively for a few moments, and then went on.
+
+"Nothing at all, my lad, that I could hear."
+
+"I sure I hear somefin, sah.  Let's go and see."
+
+They both stepped out on to the deck, and stood and listened, for it was
+impossible for them to see, though the light from the deckhouse made
+them stand out plainly in view if anyone else was on the watch.
+
+They saw nothing, for as they stepped out, a man, who was stealing aft,
+dropped softly down and crouched under the bulwarks.
+
+The hawsers creaked softly as they swung in the tide, and a faint light
+shone up from the forecastle hatch, while from aft there was a tolerably
+bright glow from the cabin skylight.  Here and there the riding lights
+of other vessels rose and fell as they were swayed by the hurrying
+waters, while the lights of the shore twinkled like stars on a black
+background, but, saving the rippling noise of the tide against the great
+schooner's side, all was perfectly still.
+
+"False alarm, 'Pollo," said Oakum, leading the way back.
+
+"No, sah," said 'Pollo, reseating himself, cross-legged, beneath the
+lantern.  "I sure I hear somefin, sah, dough I no say what it was."
+
+"I've often wished for you as a mate in a dark watch, 'Pollo," said
+Oakum, hewing off a quid of tobacco, and thrusting it into one cheek.
+"You would not go to sleep."
+
+"Not ob a night, sah," said 'Pollo, complacently, "but I no so sure bout
+dat if de sun shine hot; I go sleep den fass enough."
+
+They had hardly resumed their conversation when the man who had dropped
+down under the bulwarks rose, and went softly by the deckhouse, walking
+rapidly aft to the side, where he climbed over, after running his hand
+along and finding a rope, slid down, and took his place in a large boat
+already half-full.
+
+A few moments later and another man crept softly along the deck, went
+over the side, and slid into the boat.
+
+Another and another followed, and then one man who had been waiting by
+the forecastle hatch, instead of going aft, opened a sharp knife and
+crept forward to where the stout coir hawser was made fast to the buoy.
+It was drawn very tight, for the tide was running in fast, and a few
+sharp cuts would have divided the strands, with the result that the
+schooner would have drifted up with the current, and, if it had not
+fouled, and perhaps sunk some smaller vessel in its course, have run
+ashore.
+
+The man listened attentively but all was still, and raising his knife he
+began to saw through the strands, when, rising, he shut the knife with a
+snap and exclaimed:
+
+"No, hang it all, I won't.  It's too bad; and there's a woman aboard.
+Bad enough as it is."
+
+Then following the example of those who had gone before, he went softly
+aft, feeling his way along the bulwarks till his hand came in contact
+with the rope, and he, too, slid down into the boat.
+
+"Well, did you cut the great rope?" whispered a voice.
+
+"Yes, gov'nor, all right.  But not deep," added the man to himself.
+
+"Quick then, quick then," whispered the former speaker, "undo this
+little rope and let the boat float away."
+
+The boat's painter was loosened--but not without rattling the iron ring
+through which it was run--dropped over the side with a splash, and just
+faintly grating against the vessel's side the boat glided away,
+appearing for a few moments in the faint glow cast from the stern
+windows, and then seeming to pass into a bank of utter darkness.
+
+"I no care what you say, Mass' Oakum, sah," said 'Pollo a few moments
+before; and his great black ears seemed to start forward like those of a
+hare, "I sure I hear de rattle ob a rope; and you see if dare isn't a
+boat under de side."
+
+He leaped softly up, and ran on deck, followed by Oakum.
+
+"Dere, I sure I right," whispered the black, pointing astern.  "Boat
+full ob men."
+
+"I can't see nowt," growled Sam.  "Let's go forward and ask the look-out
+if they heerd anything.  Hear a boat touch the side, mates?" he said
+aloud.
+
+There was no answer.
+
+"The lubbers are asleep," he cried, angrily; and hurrying to where the
+men should have been, he found that they were missing, and ran to the
+hatchway.  "Below there!" he shouted.  "On deck here, some of yer!"
+
+All silent, and he lowered himself down to find a lantern burning, but
+not a soul there even in the bunks, the men's kits being also gone.
+
+"Deserted, by jingo!" cried Oakum, slapping his thigh, as he began to
+ascend the ladder.  "Here, 'Pollo, run and call the skipper."
+
+"What's wrong?" cried Captain Studwick, from out of the darkness.
+
+"Not a blessed man, sir, left aboard;" and the captain brought his foot
+down with a savage stamp upon deck.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TEN.
+
+OFF AT LAST.
+
+The outcry brought the doctor, Mr Wilson, and John Studwick on deck the
+latter panting, and evidently in a terrible state of alarm.
+
+"Quick, father, the boat, save Bessy, don't mind me," he gasped.
+
+"There's nothing to fear, my boy," exclaimed the captain, catching the
+young man's arm.  "Only the men have gone ashore--forsaken the ship.
+Now go below.  Here, you Oakum, what do you mean, you scoundrel?
+Where's Mr Jones?"
+
+"Here, sir," said the mate, who had hurried from his berth.  "What's
+wrong?"
+
+"Wrong?" exclaimed the captain, stamping about the deck in his rage.
+"Why, the men have forsaken the ship.  What were you about?"
+
+"I beg pardon, Captain Studwick," said the mate, sharply; "but it was my
+watch below.  You said you would see to the first watch with Oakum."
+
+"So I did, so I did," cried the captain.  "Here, Oakum."
+
+"You said I could go below, Capen," said Oakum, gruffly.
+
+"Did you know anything of this?"
+
+"If I'd know'd anything of it, I should have come and told you," growled
+Oakum.  "Didn't I give the alarm as soon as I know'd?"
+
+"Yes, yes, yes," cried the captain.  "There, I beg your pardon, Mr
+Jones.  Don't take any notice, Oakum.  It's enough to make any man mad.
+How am I to face Mr Parkley and Mr Pugh when they come off in the
+morning?"
+
+"Lads on'y gone off to have a good drink, p'raps, sir," suggested Oakum.
+
+"Drink?  No.  They've been got at and bribed, or persuaded not to go.
+The scoundrels!  I'll have them before the nearest magistrate and punish
+them for this."
+
+"Got to ketch 'em first," growled Oakum to himself.
+
+"Look here, when did you find this out?" exclaimed the captain.
+
+"When you heerd me shout," said Oakum.  "'Pollo here thought he heard a
+noise, and we came and looked."
+
+"And I see de boat go astern wif all de men in, sah," said 'Pollo,
+importantly.
+
+"It's a planned thing, or the men would not have gone off like that,"
+said the captain.  "Mark my words, John, that foreigner's at the bottom
+of this.  Did either of you see him come near the ship?"
+
+"I did, sah," cried 'Pollo.
+
+"You did?" exclaimed the captain.
+
+"Yes, sah, jus' 'fore dark I see um get in boat 'low de wharf, and two
+men row boat wif um."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Yes, sah, I quite sure.  I see um sit in de stern wrap up in um cloak,
+and smoke cigar.  But he nebber come nigh de ship."
+
+"I thought as much," groaned the captain.  "Here, go below, John.  The
+night air's chilly.  There's nothing the matter, my child," he continued
+tenderly, "only some of the crew have absconded."  For just then Bessy
+Studwick, very quiet and trembling, had come to his side.  "Well,
+gentlemen, I'm very sorry, but I could not help it, and now I shall have
+to ask you to share the watch with Mr Jones and myself.  Oakum and
+'Pollo, go below.  Oakum, you will take the next watch with Mr Jones;
+Mr Meldon, or you Mr Wilson, will, perhaps, join me in the morning
+watch."
+
+Both gentlemen expressed their willingness, and the night passed off
+without further misadventure.
+
+Captain Studwick was quite right, for the Cuban had hovered about the
+schooner until darkness set in, when, watching his opportunity, he
+caught the attention of one of the men, who absolutely refused to listen
+to him at first, but as Laure bribed higher, and vowed that it was a mad
+voyage, of which he had himself repented, as he would not expose the men
+to the risks of the deadly coast where the treasure lay, the man began
+to listen.
+
+"There are fevers always on those shores, of the most deadly kind," he
+whispered; "and I shall feel as if I had sent a party of good British
+seamen to their death."
+
+At last his words and his money began to tell.  This man was won over,
+and when the others were brought under the persuasive ways of the Cuban,
+the dread of punishment for desertion was mastered by another sovereign
+or two, and after his last words they gave way.
+
+"Take your choice," he had said at last; "a dog's death and your body
+for the sharks in that pestilent clime, or the money I give you.  You
+can take the night train for London, have your run there, and then get a
+good vessel afterwards."
+
+An additional sovereign to the man he felt most likely to be his tool
+made him promise to cut the hawser, and then all went well for the
+infamous design, except that this man repented of part of his bargain,
+and the crew of stout, able seamen was taken off, and landed a mile or
+so above where the schooner lay in the tideway.
+
+By eight o'clock in the morning Mr Parkley and Dutch came off to
+announce that they had discovered through 'Pollo that when he saw Tolly
+and the other diver they were on their way to the station, and had taken
+tickets for London.
+
+"Did you ever have worse news?" said Mr Parkley, bitterly.  "It may be
+months before we can get others who will go, for Layman, my other man,
+is ill."
+
+"Yes," said the captain, quietly.
+
+"What do you mean?" exclaimed Mr Parkley, aghast.
+
+"Our friend the Cuban has seduced all the men away, and stopped the
+expedition."
+
+"I'll be--No, I won't swear," exclaimed Mr
+
+Parkley, turning red with fury.  "Stopped the voyage, has he!  Got my
+divers away, and the crew, has he!  Look here, Dutch Pugh; look here,
+Captain Studwick.  I'm a man who takes a good deal of moving, but when I
+do move it takes more to stop me.  I'll move heaven and earth to carry
+this plan out, and I'll spend every sixpence I've got, but what I'll
+beat that scoundrel."
+
+"You will apply to the magistrates about the men?" said the captain; "at
+least, shall I?"
+
+"No," said Mr Parkley, sharply.  "Might just as well commence
+proceedings against that scoundrel.  Waste of time.  Dutch Pugh, you'll
+stand by me?"
+
+"Indeed I will, Mr Parkley," said Dutch, calmly, as he held out his
+hand.
+
+"And I'm sure I will," exclaimed the captain.
+
+"I knew you would," said Mr Parkley, warmly.  "I'm determined now, for
+it's evident that that rascal will try all he can to thwart me.  Come
+down in the cabin, and let's see what's to be done.  We'll have a
+meeting."
+
+They were all seated round the cabin table soon after, and the matter
+was discussed in all its bearings, Captain Studwick saying that he had
+no fear of being able to get a dozen good men in a day or two, if they
+were prepared to pay pretty highly.
+
+"Then you must pay highly," said Mr Parkley; "but look here, every step
+you take must be with the knowledge that this Laure is trying to thwart
+you."
+
+"I will not boast," said Captain Studwick, "but if I get a crew on board
+here again, I think it will take two Laures to trick me."
+
+"Good!" said Mr Parkley, beginning to brighten up.  "What I want is to
+get off at once.  It will be horrible to stay, for we shall be the
+laughing-stock of the whole town.  The chaff was beginning last night."
+
+"But about divers?" said the captain.
+
+"Yes, there is the difficulty.  It is not every man who will train for
+it, as it is a risky thing.  Perhaps I may be able to train one or two
+of the men we get.  At all events, go I will, and I will not be beaten."
+
+"I'm afraid that would be but a poor chance," said Dutch, who sat there
+pale and troubled, but had hardly spoken.
+
+"Don't throw cold water on it, Pugh, for Heaven's sake," cried Mr
+Parkley, testily.
+
+"I do not wish to do that," said Dutch.  "I wish to help you."
+
+"Well, then," cried Mr Parkley, sharply, "I shall take old Rasp.  He'll
+go to oblige me, old as he is; and if it is necessary I will go down
+myself.  I've not been down for years now, but sooner than that
+scoundrel shall crow over me I'll do all the diving myself."
+
+"There will be no necessity," said Dutch, quickly.
+
+"What do you mean?" exclaimed Mr Parkley.
+
+"I will go with you myself," said Dutch.
+
+"What!" cried Mr Parkley, joyfully.  "You?  You go with me?  My dear
+Pugh, I shall never forget this."
+
+He rose and grasped the young man's hand with both of his own, and his
+face flushed with pleasure.
+
+"Yes," said Dutch, quietly, "I will go, and with old Rasp I think we can
+manage."
+
+"Manage!" cried Mr Parkley, "why, you are a host in yourself.  But look
+here, my dear boy.  Gentlemen, you will excuse us.  Come on deck."
+
+He led the way, and Dutch followed him to the side of the schooner,
+where he took him by the button.
+
+"I'm so grateful, Pugh," he exclaimed, "you can't think; but it won't
+do.  The business would be all right with another, but I can't take you
+away."
+
+"Why not?" said Dutch, sharply.
+
+"Your poor little wife, my boy, I could never look her in the face
+again."
+
+"For God's sake don't mention her," cried Dutch, passionately.  "There,
+there," he cried, mastering himself, "you need not consider that."
+
+"But, my dear Pugh, are you not too hasty--too ready to believe?  No,
+no, it won't do, you misjudge her.  I won't let you go.  In a few days
+all will be well again."
+
+"Parkley," exclaimed Dutch, hoarsely, "it will never be all right again.
+I speak to you as I would speak to no other man.  Heaven knows how I
+have loved that woman.  But I have no home now.  I shall never see her
+again."
+
+"No, no, no, don't speak like that, my dear boy.  You are too rush.
+Come, have patience, and all will be right.  You shall not go."
+
+Dutch smiled bitterly.
+
+"You are mad just now, but it will pass off; and look here, my dear boy,
+it was all my fault for getting you to take the cursed scoundrel in."
+
+"Don't speak of it, pray," cried Dutch.
+
+"I must, my dear boy.  Now, look here.  After being guilty of one wrong
+to that poor little woman of yours, how can I do her another by taking
+her husband away?"
+
+"I am no longer her husband, and she is no longer my wife," said Dutch,
+sternly.  "I tell you I shall go."
+
+"No, no; I will not let you."
+
+"I am your partner, and I shall insist upon it.  Stay at home and let me
+take the lead in the expedition.  You may trust me."
+
+"Better than I would myself," said Mr Parkley, warmly.
+
+"Then let me go.  It will be a relief to me from the torture I have
+suffered these last weeks.  Parkley, you cannot dream of what I have
+felt."
+
+"Do you really earnestly mean all this?" said Mr Parkley, gazing in the
+other's troubled face.
+
+"Mean it?  Yes, it would be a real kindness."
+
+"Time cures all wounds," said Mr Parkley, "so perhaps it will be best,
+and you will make arrangements for her while you are away."
+
+"She has the house," said Dutch, bitterly, "and what money I have.  I
+shall write to her mother to join her.  Is that enough?"
+
+Mr Parkley held out his hand, and the two men grasped each other's for
+a moment, and then turned back to the cabin.
+
+"Mr Pugh goes with us, Studwick; Rasp I know will come when he hears
+that Mr Pugh is with us."
+
+"Indeed," said Dutch, "I should have thought not."
+
+"You'll see," said Mr Parkley, writing a few lines in his pocket-book
+and tearing off the leaf.  "Now, then, about Rasp.  Whom can we trust to
+take this ashore?"
+
+"Let me go," said Mr Meldon, the young doctor, "I will deliver it in
+safety."
+
+"You will?" cried Mr Parkley.  "That's well; but mind you don't get
+tampered with, nor the man this is to fetch."
+
+Mr Meldon started, being rowed ashore in a boat they hailed.  The
+captain was ready to suspect everyone now, but in an hour old Rasp come
+grumbling aboard, with a huge carpet bag, which dragged him into the
+boat in which he came off, and nearly pulled him back into it when he
+mounted the side.
+
+"Oh, yes, I'll go," he said, as soon as he encountered his employers on
+the deck.  "Hain't got enough clean shirts, though.  I allus thought
+that Tolly was good for nowt, and the forrener a bad un."
+
+"And now, Rasp, I want you to go ashore again for me," said Dutch.
+
+"I'll take him with me," said the captain, "and keep a sharp look-out.
+Mr Parkley is going too."
+
+"I don't want no sharp look-outs," said Rasp, gruffly.  "I can take care
+o' mysen'."
+
+Rasp's mission was a simple one, namely, to purchase certain articles of
+outfit, for, with stern determination, the young man had set his face
+against revisiting his home.  Moreover, as if distrustful of himself, he
+stayed on board, meaning to remain there for good.
+
+The captain and mate both left for the shore, leaving Dutch in charge of
+the vessel, and so earnestly did they work that by nightfall they had
+secured six fresh men, and were hopeful of obtaining another
+half-dozen--all they required--by the following day.
+
+The new-comers were of a rougher class than those who had been wiled
+away, but for all that they were sturdy, useful men, and, anxious as the
+leaders of the expedition were to start, it was no time for choosing.
+
+That night, little thinking that every action in connection with the
+vessel had been closely watched with a powerful glass from the upper
+window of a house overlooking the estuary, Captain Studwick returned
+with the mate, taking the precaution to give the men plenty of liquor,
+and placing them under hatches for safety.
+
+Rasp had long been back with the necessaries Dutch required, bringing
+with them a letter, which the young man read, tore to shreds, and then
+sent fluttering over the side; and at last the party, feeling hopeful of
+success on the morrow, retired for the night, saving such as had to keep
+watch.
+
+The next day, however, brought no success; not a man of those unemployed
+could be induced to undertake the voyage, and to Captain Studwick's
+great annoyance he found that by some means the whole business of the
+voyage had been turned into ridicule, and the men he addressed responded
+to his questions with a coarse burst of laughter.  With the
+determination, then, of sailing the next morning with the crew he had,
+and putting in at Plymouth with the hope of obtaining more, he returned
+on board, and was in the act of relating his ill-success, when Oakum
+hailed a boat, pulled towards them by a couple of watermen, with
+half-a-dozen sailors in her stern.
+
+It was growing dark, but those on deck could make out that the men had
+their long bolster-like kits with them, and the captain's heart beat
+with joy as he heard, in answer to the hail, that the men had come from
+one of the sailors' boarding-houses, having arrived there that
+afternoon.
+
+"Simpson's, on West Quay," said one of the watermen.  "He heerd you were
+looking out for hands, and he gave me this."
+
+He handed a up letter in which the boarding-house keeper asked for five
+pounds for securing the men and talking them into coming, and as the
+sailors came on deck, and proved quite willing to sign for the voyage,
+the money was paid and the boat pushed off.
+
+They were not a handsome set of men, three being Englishmen, one a Dane,
+and the other two Lascars, one a long black-haired fellow, the other a
+short-haired, closely-shaven man, with a stoop, and a slight halt in one
+leg.  He was nearly black, and did not look an attractive addition to
+the party; but the men declared he was an old ship-mate, and a good
+hand, evidently displaying an inclination, too, to refuse to go without
+him, so he was included.
+
+"I think we can set our friend at defiance now," said the captain,
+rubbing his hands as the men went below.
+
+"I don't know," said Mr Parkley.  "He's one of those treacherous,
+cunning scoundrels that will steal a march on us when it is least
+expected.  It's a fine night, and not so very dark; the tide serves; so
+what do you say to dropping down at once, and putting a few miles of sea
+between us and our friend?"
+
+"The very thing I should have proposed," said the captain; "and, what's
+more, I say make all sail for our port, in case our friend should
+charter a fresh vessel and be before us."
+
+"He would not get the divers."
+
+"No, perhaps not; but he might make up a party who could overhaul and
+plunder us.  I shall not be happy till we are well on the way."
+
+"Good, then, let's make our start.  It will astonish Pugh when he comes
+up from his berth to find us full-handed and well on our way."
+
+"Is he lying down, then?" said the captain.
+
+"Yes, I persuaded him to go, as he was the watch again to-night.  The
+fellow is ill with worry and anxiety, and we can't afford to have him
+knocked up.  You'll start, then, at once."
+
+"In a quarter of an hour or so," said Captain Studwick.  "Here's a large
+barque coming up, and we may as well let her clear us first."
+
+Giving the word to the mate, the first half-dozen men were called up,
+and a couple of sails made ready for hoisting, so as to give steerage
+way, and the motions of the dimly-seen barque were watched.
+
+"I don't want her to run foul of us," said the captain, "for if she did,
+I should be ready to swear that it was one of the Cuban's plans."
+
+"Hardly," replied Mr Parkley.  "If any fresh hindrance is to come to
+us, it will be from the shore.  If you take my advice, you will not let
+a boat approach the ship to-night."
+
+"I don't mean to," said the captain.  "All right, she'll give us a
+pretty good wide berth.  Hallo!  What's that?" he said, crossing over to
+port.
+
+"Boat from the shore, sir," said one of the men; and at the same moment
+came a hail out of the darkness.
+
+"Ahoy there!  Heave us a rope."
+
+Oakum stepped forward, and was about to cast a rope down, when the
+captain stayed him.
+
+"What is it?" he said sharply.  "Keep off, or you may have something
+through your planks;" and as he spoke he peered down into the boat.
+"Here, Jones, keep a sharp look-out on the other side, and see that no
+boat comes up."
+
+"Is that Captain Studwick?" said a woman's voice.
+
+"Yes, and what then?" said the captain.  "Now, it won't do.  The trick's
+too clear.  How many have you in that boat?"
+
+"No one but myself," replied the same voice.  "Pray, pray let me come on
+board."
+
+"Who are you, and what do you want?" exclaimed the captain.  "Quick!
+I've no time to waste."
+
+"Let her come on board," cried Mr Parkley, hastily.  "Don't you know
+her?" he whispered; "it's Mrs Pugh."  Then leaning over the
+side--"Hester, my child, is that you?"
+
+"Yes," was the hoarse reply.  "Mr Parkley, for Heaven's sake, take me
+on board."
+
+"There, I told you so," exclaimed Mr Parkley; "let down the steps."
+
+"I tell you it's some ruse of that cursed Cuban," cried the captain,
+angrily.  "If you give way we shall be stopped again.  Keep that boat
+off below there."
+
+"No, no!" cried Mr Parkley.  "Stop.  Studwick, I take the
+responsibility on myself.  Oakum, lower the steps, and throw that rope."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," said the old sailor.  "Am I to do it?" he continued to
+the captain.
+
+"Yes, if he wishes it," was the testy reply; and then in a low voice he
+said to the mate, "Slip the hawser, and haul up the jib and staysail.
+I'm going to the wheel."
+
+His orders were rapidly executed, and the long, graceful vessel began
+almost imperceptibly to move through the water.
+
+"If it is any trick," said the captain, as he went aft to the man he had
+stationed at the wheel, "it shall take place at sea.  What's that?"
+
+He turned back instantly, for at that moment what sounded like a slight
+scuffle was heard by the gangway he had left.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+IN BESSY'S CABIN.
+
+So determined was Captain Studwick not to be lightly trifled with that a
+pistol was in his hand as he ran back to the side, but his alarm was
+unnecessary, for the scuffling noise was caused merely by Mr Parkley
+catching their visitor as she tottered and nearly fell on the deck.
+
+"Let me see my husband, Mr Parkley," she moaned, "for pity's sake let
+me see my husband.  If I saw him and spoke to him, he would listen to
+me."
+
+"But, my dear child," began Mr Parkley.
+
+"I shall die if I do not see him," she moaned again.  "I have been so
+ill--I have suffered so much, and this evening the news came that he was
+going away--away without seeing me.  Oh, God, what have I done that I
+should suffer so!"
+
+"My dear child--my dear Mrs Pugh."
+
+"I must see him--pray, pray take me to him," she sobbed, "it is more
+than I can--more than I can bear."
+
+Mr Parkley caught her again just in time, for she swooned away, and
+laying her upon the deck he tried hard to restore her.  Then looking up
+he became aware that the lights of the town were fast receding.
+
+"Why, Studwick," he exclaimed, "the schooner's moving."
+
+"Yes," said the captain.
+
+"But the boat this poor girl came off in?"
+
+"Ashore by this time."
+
+"But we can't take her.  Hang it, man, we cannot have domestic
+differences on board.  She must go back."
+
+"We must now land her at Plymouth," said the captain.  "Send for my
+Bessy, man, she will soon bring her to.  How foolish of the little woman
+to come aboard."
+
+"Shall I fetch the young lady, sir?" said Sam Oakum gruffly, as he stood
+with a look of disgust upon his face.
+
+"Yes, for goodness' sake, do.  Quick!" exclaimed Mr Parkley, whose
+efforts to restore animation were all in vain.
+
+Just as Sam went aft, though, Mrs Pugh began to revive, stared wildly
+about, and sitting up saw the captain bending over her.
+
+"Captain Studwick," she cried, catching his hand and drawing herself
+upon her knees to cling to him, "don't send me back--don't send me away.
+Let me go too.  I could not bear to part from my husband like this.  He
+is angry with me," she whispered, "I cannot tell you why, but he has not
+spoken to me for days, and I have been so--so ill."
+
+"Yes, yes, you shall see him, my dear, but stand up.  You must not make
+a scene."
+
+"Oh no," she exclaimed, rising hastily, "I will do anything you say,
+only let me see him and explain.  Let me go with, you.  If I could talk
+to him he would believe me, and all would be well again.  If not," she
+said with a hysterical cry, "I shall go mad--I shall go mad."
+
+"Come, let me take you below," said the captain, for she was clinging
+tightly to his arm.
+
+"Yes, yes," whispered the poor trembling woman.  "I could not help that;
+I am trying so hard to be calm, but my poor breast is so care-laden that
+a cry would escape.  Let me go with you, Captain Studwick.  I will be so
+quiet--so careful."
+
+"It is impossible, my dear child," he said in a husky voice, for her
+agony affected him.
+
+"No, no, don't say that; I will help Bessy nurse your poor son.  She
+loves me, and believes in me, and I will give no trouble.  If you set me
+ashore I shall die of grief.  I cannot live to be separated from my
+husband--for him to leave me like this."
+
+"Well, well, well, I'll see what I can do," said the captain in the
+quieting way that one would speak to a child; but she peered instantly
+into his face.
+
+"You are deceiving me," she cried.  "You are trying to calm me with
+promises, and you mean to set me ashore.  Mr Parkley," she wailed,
+turning to him, "you know me, and believe in me: you know the cause of
+this trouble.  Take me to my dear husband, and help me to drive away
+this horrible belief of his, or I shall die."
+
+"My dear child--my dear child," he said, drawing her to him, "I will try
+all I can."
+
+"But you will set me ashore again when I strove so hard to get to him.
+I was so ill in bed, and he has not been near me.  I found out that you
+were taking Dutch from me, and I could not stay.  Let me see him--oh,
+let me see him!"
+
+"You shall, my dear, as soon as you are calm."
+
+"But he is here," she whispered, not daring to raise her voice lest, in
+her excited state, it should get the mastery over her, and she should
+burst forth in hysterical wails.
+
+"Yes, my child, he is here.  He is asleep below."
+
+"Poor Dutch!" she whispered to herself; and then with a faint, weary
+smile she laid her hands in those of her old friend.  "There, you can
+see how calm and patient I will be," she continued.  "No one shall
+suspect any trouble.  I will be so quiet and patient, and if he will not
+listen to me, I will not complain, so long as I am near him--only wait
+till God changes his heart towards me."
+
+"There, then, you shall stay--till we get to Plymouth," exclaimed Mr
+Parkley, hastily passing his hand across his eyes.  "Don't let the men
+see that anything's the matter, my dear."
+
+"No: oh, no," she replied.  "I'm quite calm now.  Ah, here's Miss
+Studwick."
+
+"You here, Mrs Pugh!" exclaimed the captain's daughter, who believed
+that she was coming to her father.
+
+"Yes, I could not stay," Sobbed Hester.  "I was obliged to come.  Oh,
+Bessy, dear Bessy, don't shrink from me," she wailed, as the men gladly
+drew away and left them together.
+
+"Hush! don't say a word here," said Bessy, glancing round, and speaking
+hoarsely; "come down to my cabin."
+
+Hester tottered, and would have fallen, but Bessy caught her arm and led
+her below, where, as soon as they were alone, the former fell upon her
+knees, and held up her hands, catching those of Bessy as she stood
+before her.
+
+"Listen to me, Miss Studwick," she moaned.  "Don't condemn me unheard.
+I thought you believed in me, but you shrank from me just now."
+
+Bessy did not speak, but gazed down on the sobbing woman with a look of
+pity.
+
+"My dear husband has allowed cruel suspicions to creep into his heart,
+and he wrongs me--he does, indeed.  Oh, Bessy, Bessy, you loved him
+once, I know, I know you did, and you must have hated me for taking his
+love from you."
+
+A low sigh burst from Bessy's breast, but she did not speak.
+
+"You know," sobbed Hester, "how true and noble and frank he is."
+
+"I do," said Bessy softly.
+
+"Then, what would the woman be who could betray him, even in thought?
+Would she not be the vilest, the most cruel of wretches?"
+
+"She would, indeed," said Bessy coldly.
+
+"Bessy--Miss Studwick," cried Hester, with a low wail of misery, "if I
+have committed any sin it is that of loving my dear husband too well.
+God--God knows how innocent I am.  Oh! it is too hard to bear."
+
+She sank lower on the cabin floor, weeping silently, but only by a great
+effort, for the heavy sobs kept rising to her lips, and in her agony the
+intense desire to obtain relief in uttering loud cries was almost more
+than she could master.
+
+Bessy stood looking down upon her with brows knit and lips pressed
+together, for her heart whispered to her that this was a judgment on
+this woman, who had robbed her of her love, and that she ought to
+rejoice over her downfall.  Then, too, the thought came that, this idol
+fallen, she might, perhaps, herself be raised up in its place, and a
+flash of joy irradiated her mind, but only for a moment.  Then her
+better nature prevailed, and bending down she lifted the prostrate woman
+with ease, and laid her upon the couch-like locker that filled one side
+of the cabin, kneeling down beside her, and drawing the dishevelled head
+upon her bosom.
+
+"Hester," she whispered, "I did hate you, very, very bitterly, as
+intensely as I once loved Dutch Pugh; but all that is passed.  When I
+came to your house, and began to know you better, I used to go home and
+kneel down and pray for his happiness with you, while, when I heard of
+his trouble, my hatred began to fight its way back, so that the last day
+or two I have felt ready to curse you for the wreck you have made."
+
+"Oh, no, no, no," sobbed Hester, clinging to her; "I am innocent."
+
+"Yes, I know and believe that now," said Bessy; "and I will help you to
+win him back to the same belief."
+
+"But you will bring him to me quickly, or they will set me ashore,"
+wailed Hester, clinging tightly to her companion as she uttered a sigh
+of relief.  "If I could but stay only to see him sometimes, and know
+that he was safe, I should wait then patiently until he came to me and
+told me that all this dreadful dream was at an end."
+
+"And you believe that he will do this?"
+
+"Believe!" cried Hester, starting up, and gazing full at her companion.
+"Oh, yes, I believe it.  It may be long first, but the time will come,
+and I can wait--I can wait--I can wait."
+
+She sank back quite exhausted as she repeated the last words again and
+again in a whisper, the last time almost inaudibly; and then, holding
+Bessy Studwick's hand tightly clasped to her bosom, her eyes closed, and
+she sank into the deep sleep of exhaustion, the first sleep that had
+visited the weary woman for three nights; while, as the light from the
+cabin lamp fell athwart her pretty troubled face, Bessy knelt there
+watching her, passing her soft white hand across the forehead to sweep
+away the tangled locks.  Then as the time wore on, and the rippling,
+plashing noise of the water against the ship grew louder, and the
+footsteps on the deck less frequent, she listened for the catching sighs
+that escaped at intervals from the sleeping young wife's lips, her own
+tears stealing gently down from time to time, as Hester murmured more
+than once the name of which she had herself loved to dream.
+
+"Poor Dutch! and he might have felt the same trouble, perhaps about me,"
+thought Bessy, as she bent over and kissed Hester's cheek, to feel the
+sleeping woman's arms steal round her neck for a moment, and then glide
+softly down again.
+
+"No, no, it could not be true," she whispered again, as she knelt there
+watching hour after hour for Hester to awake, till her own head sank
+lower and lower, and at last she fell asleep by the suffering woman's
+side.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+THE DOCTOR'S DECREE.
+
+As the morning broke bright and clear, the large three-masted schooner
+was running down the Channel under easy sail, and the men were beginning
+to fall into their places, though all was at present rather awkward and
+strange.  Captain Studwick and Mr Parkley had gone below,
+congratulating themselves on having succeeded so far, and placed
+themselves out of the reach of Laure's machinations, while Mr Jones,
+the mate, had taken charge, and was now pacing the deck in company with
+Dutch, who was trying hard to master his pain by throwing his whole soul
+into the adventure.
+
+In spite of himself, though, a little suffering face constantly
+presented itself before him; and again and again he found his conscience
+smiting him, and charging him with cruelty in forsaking his wife--asking
+him, too, if he was sure that his suspicions were just.
+
+At such times he recalled the shadows on the blind, set his teeth, and
+thought of Laure's sneering laugh of triumph, and then his blood seemed
+to boil up, and it was only by a strong effort that he was able to
+master the agony he felt, mingled as it was with a desire for revenge.
+
+"If I don't get to work at something," he muttered, "I shall go mad."
+
+Just then the sun rose bright and clear, sending a flood of wondrous
+radiance over the dancing waters, flecking the distant land with golden
+radiance and dark shadows, while the soft mists gradually rose higher
+and higher, gleaming like transparent silver, as they floated over
+woodland and down.
+
+"I wonder whether I shall ever see you again," muttered Dutch to
+himself, as he leaned over the bulwark, and gazed at the beautiful
+panorama by which they were swiftly gliding; and then, turning away with
+a sigh, he came full upon the dark-skinned mulatto sailor, busily
+coiling down a rope, and Dutch started slightly, half feeling that he
+had seen the lowering countenance before, but the man paid no heed to
+him, only went on with his task with his tarry hands, and finally limped
+off to another part of the vessel.
+
+Just then Captain Studwick and Mr Parkley came on deck, talking
+earnestly, and when he went forward to shake hands they looked troubled,
+and there was an air of constraint in their manner that he could not
+understand.
+
+"Well, gentlemen," he said, with an affectation of ease which he did not
+feel, "we are out of our troubles now."
+
+"I don't know so much about that," said Mr Parkley.  "Eh, Studwick?"
+
+"No," said the captain, "I don't know either."
+
+"Why, what do you mean?" said Dutch, and his eye involuntarily fell upon
+the dark-skinned sailor, who was close at hand.  "You don't suspect that
+the Cuban can interfere now?"
+
+"You'd better tell him," whispered Mr Parkley.
+
+"No, no, you tell him," said the captain uneasily, "known him longer,
+and so on."
+
+"What are you whispering about?" exclaimed Dutch.  "Pray speak out."
+
+Mr Parkley looked at the captain for help, but he began to whistle, and
+walked away to give an order.
+
+"Well, my dear Pugh, the fact is," said Mr Parkley, taking hold of his
+special button.
+
+"Pray go on," exclaimed Dutch, "not anything serious?"
+
+"N-no, not serious, but awkward.  The fact is your wife came on board
+last night."
+
+"My wife!" exclaimed Dutch, and a flash of joy lit up his face.  Then
+the sombre cloud overshadowed it again, and he exclaimed bitterly, "I
+have no wife," and walked away.
+
+"Well, my lad," said Captain Studwick sharply, for the mulatto had
+ceased working, and, half bent down as he was, stood listening intently
+to all that passed, "you've nothing to do with what those gentlemen are
+saying."
+
+The man made a deprecating motion with his hand and bent to his work
+again.
+
+"We may as well understand each other at once," said the captain
+sharply.  "Stand up."
+
+The mulatto stood up, but in a half-averted way, and displayed a curious
+sinister expression, caused by what appeared to be a scar across his
+cheek, while his eyes seemed shifty and unable to meet the speaker's
+gaze.
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"Tonio," said the mulatto.
+
+"Well, Tonio, mind this: You are engaged here for good pay.  I always
+see that my men are well supplied in their mess, and, in return, I
+expect smart work and strict obedience.  Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes, captain," said the man, in a tone half sulky, half-full of
+humiliation.
+
+"That will do.  Now go and help that fellow to take a pull at the jib."
+
+The man went limping off, but with great alacrity, passing Dutch, who
+came back looking very stern and angry.
+
+"Captain Studwick, I must ask you to put in at Plymouth.  Mr Parkley,
+she must be set ashore."
+
+"But, my dear boy, had you not better see her first.  I'm--I'm afraid
+she will object to go without."
+
+"No," said Dutch sternly, and he gazed at both in turn.  "She must be
+set ashore as soon as possible."
+
+Captain Studwick walked forward again, whistling, and then pulling out
+his glass he took a look at a fast steamer astern.
+
+"Parkley," said Dutch, as soon as they were alone, "I could not say it
+before him, but I have not the manly strength to see her.  I am weak as
+water, and I could not bear to see her agony.  Tell her," he added with
+his lower lip working, "that I forgive her, and will pray for her, but I
+can never see her again."
+
+"But, my dear Pugh, you must--"
+
+"Good morning, gentlemen," said a voice that made them start; and
+turning sharply round, it was to find Mr Meldon, the young doctor.  "I
+wanted to see you, Mr Pugh."
+
+"To see me?"
+
+"Yes, about Mrs Pugh.  You know she came on board last night."
+
+"Yes, I know," said Pugh, coldly.
+
+"She must have left her sick bed to come and see you, I suppose.  It was
+a very ill-advised course, for she was ill."
+
+"Yes," exclaimed Dutch, with an eagerness he could not conceal.
+
+"And I am sorry to say that she is now in a high state of fever."
+
+"Fever!"
+
+"Yes, and quite delirious."
+
+"We must put back, then," exclaimed Dutch.  "She must be set ashore--
+taken home."
+
+"I should not like to take the responsibility of having her moved," said
+the doctor.  "If you will take my advice, you will let her remain."
+
+"Let her remain?" gasped Dutch.  "Impossible!"
+
+"No," said the doctor, smiling; "the removal is impossible."
+
+"Is she in danger?"
+
+"Not necessarily now; but she would be in great danger if moved.  I'm
+afraid I must ask you to leave her to me.  It is fortunate that I was on
+board, and that she has so good a nurse with her as Miss Studwick."
+
+Dutch essayed to speak, but no words came, and drawing in his breath as
+if in intense pain he walked to the side and stood with his head resting
+upon his hand, looking out to sea, and wondering how this tangle was to
+be ended.
+
+"Poor fellow! he seems a good deal cut up about it," said Mr Meldon,
+who was a dark, earnest-looking man of three or four-and-thirty.
+
+"Yes," said Mr Parkley.  "She was to have gone ashore at Plymouth."
+
+"Ha?" said Meldon.  "Poor young thing.  Great trouble about parting from
+her husband."
+
+"Ye-es," said Parkley.  Then, to turn the conversation, he said with a
+smile, "Lucky thing for us bachelors, Mr Meldon.  We never have to
+trouble our heads about the women."
+
+"N-no," said the doctor, looking sharply at his companion, with a broad
+red stain of blood suffusing his cheeks.  "Quite a novelty, though, a
+voyage with ladies on board.  He didn't hear me," he continued, as Mr
+Parkley obeyed a sign from the captain to come and have a look through
+his glass at the steamer astern.
+
+"No, sir, he's gone to have a good look at that steamer, as seems as if
+she meant to overhaul us," said Sam Oakum; "but I heard you, and you're
+right."
+
+"Let's see, you are the second mate, aren't you, Mr Oakum?"
+
+"Sir, to you, I am," said Oakum.
+
+"But what do you mean by being right?" said the doctor with a smile.
+
+"'Bout having ladies on board, sir.  I know I've been voyages before
+with women aboard twice or three times mayhap, and no good can come of
+it."
+
+"Ah, you're a croaker, I see," said the doctor, nodding and laughing.
+"Your liver's out of order."
+
+"Hope I am, sir; and as to my liver, I don't believe I've got one,
+leastways I can't say as I knows I've one.  Ay, ay, sir, coming."
+
+He trotted forward to obey a call from the captain, and more sail was
+hoisted, the steamer still overhauling them, and both the captain and
+Mr Parkley watched her intently, fully expecting to find that this was
+some new trick of the Cuban, but to the satisfaction of all concerned it
+proved a false alarm, and the schooner continued her way onwards towards
+the west.
+
+It soon became evident, even to the greatest doubter, that the doctor
+was in the right, and, accepting it as fate that Hester must remain on
+board, Dutch devoted himself to the preparations for their cruise,
+rather avoiding the cabins when possible, and dividing his time between
+reading to the invalid John Studwick, and long talks with old Sam Oakum
+about the coast and the places where he swore the old plate-ships lay.
+
+"Lor' bless you, Mr Pugh, sir, and you, Mr Parkley," Oakum said one
+day, when Land's End had long been left behind, and all was open water,
+"I'm as sure of the place as can be.  I remember all the bearings, too,
+so well.  Don't you be skeart about that; I'll take you, sure enough."
+
+"Well, Oakum, we are going to trust you," said Mr Parkley, "and if you
+lead us to success you shall not go unrewarded."
+
+"I don't want no reward, sir," said the old man gruffly.  "If it turns
+up trumps, you give me a pound or two o' bacco, and I shall be
+satisfied."
+
+Mr Parkley laughed, and after a time left them together, Dutch seeming
+to find solace in the old sailor's company as, in a grumbling way, he
+began to talk about the state of those on board.
+
+"Seems to me, sir, as it warn't wise to bring that there poor fellow
+aboard here, just to die and be wrapped in a hammock, for a sailor's
+funeral: he's allus in your way, and gives a fellow low spirits to see.
+Look at that steward as the skipper must have, just as if we wanted a
+steward when we've got 'Pollo, as is as good a cook as ever came to.
+Great fat fellow to go walloping down just when I wanted some rope
+coiled down, and set to blubbering like a great gal because he's left
+his wife behind."
+
+Dutch winced slightly, and turned away to light a cigar.
+
+"By-the-way, sir, how's your missus?" said Oakum.
+
+"Better, decidedly," said Dutch shortly.
+
+"Glad on it, sir.  Not as I likes women aboard; but I don't want 'em to
+be ill.  Good job we've got the doctor here, to see as everybody takes
+his salts and senny reg'lar; but what in the world the skipper meant by
+shipping that great long chap, Mr Wilson, for I don't know.  He won't
+go into one o' your soots, Mr Dutch, I know."
+
+"Oh, no," said Dutch, smiling; "he's a naturalist, and going to collect
+birds."
+
+"And take 'em out too, sir.  He is a long-legged 'un.  Why, I see him
+hit his head twiced up agen the cabin ceiling, and he's allus knocking
+his hat out o' shape.  Nattalist, eh?  Well, he's about the
+unnattalist-shaped chap I ever see, and all corners.  It's my opinion,
+sir, as when he was made Natur begun him for a geerarf, and when she'd
+done his legs altered her mind and turned him into a man.  You don't
+mind me going on talking, sir?"
+
+"No, Oakum, I like it," said Dutch, though he hardly took in a word.
+
+"Well, sir, he's got a couple of cages full of birds, robins, and
+sparrers, and starnels, and all sorts, as he says he's going to set free
+out in South Amerikee, and bring back the cages full of other sorts."
+
+"Naturalists have queer ideas, Oakum," said Dutch, moving himself.  "But
+about this place we are going to.  The sea is always calm, you say?"
+
+"'Cept in stormy times, sir, when, of course, she gets a bit thick.  But
+there, don't you worry about that; we'll take you right to the spot, and
+lay you just where you can have the long-boat out with the pumps and
+traps, or maybe even get the schooner anchored right over the place, and
+you and Master Rasp there can go down and crowbar the gold and silver
+out in heaps."
+
+"But suppose some one has been there before us," said Dutch.
+
+"Not they, sir: first place, no one knows of it 'cept that furren
+gentleman; second place, where's the air-pumps and divers' togs, to go
+down and get at it?  I get wondering now why I never thought of a trip
+out there, after being with Capen Studwick here, but I never did.  And
+now, sir, if you'll give me a light I'll have a quiet smoke."
+
+Dutch took out a match-box, and was going to light up, but Oakum held up
+his hand to command silence; and before the young man could make out
+what he was about to do, he stepped softly to the side, where a large
+tarpaulin covered one of the boats lying in its chocks, gave one end of
+the cover a sharp snatch, and the mulatto started up.
+
+"Now then, out o' that," said the old sailor, menacingly.  "If you want
+a caulk, just you take it below in your bunk."
+
+The man bent his head, as he leaped lightly out, gave Oakum a curious
+look from beneath his half-closed eyelids, and then limped forward.
+
+"I don't like the looks o' that chap, Mr Dutch.  He's one o' the sort,
+that if you hit him, he'd out with a knife and sheath it in a man's
+ribs.  That chap was listening, that's what he was a-doing, though he
+pretended to be asleep.  I don't like the look on him, nor of some more
+o' them as come aboard with him, and if the skipper don't look out
+there'll be mischief."
+
+"I'm afraid you are given to prophesying evil, Oakum," said Dutch, with
+a smile.
+
+"Well, sir, I on'y says what I thinks, but, mind you this: if we get
+back safe, I shall be surprised, for never yet, when I've gone out to
+sea with petticoats on board have we got back without an accident."
+
+"Nonsense, man."
+
+"'Taint nonsense, sir; it's fate," said Oakum, "and what's more, look
+here, I ain't a sooperstitious man, but the speerits o' them sailors as
+was lost in the olden times along o' the treasure ships ain't a-going to
+let us get hold o' what they've been watching all those hundreds o'
+years without making a bit of a how-de-do."
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+THE CAPTAIN'S SUSPICIONS.
+
+The next day it came on to blow--and for quite a week tempestuous
+weather set in, the schooner skimming along almost under bare poles, but
+progressing well on her voyage.  Captain Studwick had some trouble with
+his men, but on the whole they were pretty good sailors, and his strict
+discipline kept them well to their work, so that, from showing at first
+a little insubordination, they went pretty willingly to their duties.
+
+On the tenth day out, the sun rose over a sea just rippled by a pleasant
+breeze.  The men were busy drying clothes, and all the ports and hatches
+were well open, and as the day wore on Mrs Pugh, looking very weak and
+pale, came on deck, leaning on Bessy Studwick's arm, the latter leading
+her to where Dutch was talking to Mr Parkley.
+
+Dutch started as he saw them coming up, then, bowing coldly, he walked
+to the other side of the deck to where John Studwick was sitting,
+impatiently watching his sister; and as soon as he saw Mr Parkley lead
+Mrs Pugh to a seat, he called to Bessy sharply to come to him, keeping
+her jealously by his side, as he saw Mr Wilson and the doctor come up
+and begin walking up and down, and frowning as they both raised their
+hats, and smiled at his sister.
+
+"I wish you would not notice these men, Bessy," he exclaimed in an
+impatient whisper.
+
+"I only bowed courteously to them, John dear," she said sadly; "and I
+will not speak to them if you do not wish it."
+
+"I don't like it," he said, hastily.  "Come and read to me."
+
+She glanced across at Hester Pugh, and saw her white lips working as her
+eyes followed her husband, and then, taking up a book, began to read to
+her brother.
+
+"Look at that, Bob," said one of a little group of men, busy overhauling
+a large sail which had been split during the late gale.
+
+"Yes, he looks bad enough," said another.  "A couple more days like
+we've had would about finish him."
+
+"Get out," said the other; "I don't mean him, I meant the gal."
+
+"Yes, she ain't bad to look at," said the first.  "That's her as Oakum
+was talking about."
+
+"That it warn't," said the other; "'twas the little pale one."
+
+"Just you two get on with that sail, will you," said a gruff voice
+behind them; "and leave the women passengers alone."
+
+One of the men looked across at the other, and grinned, and they went on
+with their work, while Sam Oakum walked grumbling forward.
+
+"I wish they wouldn't have no women aboard," he muttered half aloud.
+
+"Why not?" said the doctor, who overheard him, and, facing round, Sam
+found him standing there with the tall young naturalist, whom the men,
+with their tendency at sea to nickname everyone, had christened Pigeons.
+
+"Why not?" growled Oakum, scowling across at old Rasp, between which two
+a deep dislike had sprung up.  "Because--though someone here as I won't
+name will contradict every word I says--they ain't no good.  They sets
+the men talking about 'em instead of doing their work; they consooms the
+stores; they causes the ship to be littered with green stuff and fresh
+meat; and, what with them and invalids, my deck's always in a mess.  Why
+here's a cow and chickens, and a goat and ducks, and 'Pollo milking
+every morning to get some thin blue stuff like scupper washings, and the
+whole place turned into a farm-yard, and all because of the women.
+Blame 'em!  I wish there warn't one on the face of the blessed earth."
+
+"Hear him," said one of the two sailors who had just spoken; "hear him,
+Bob," for they were dragging the sail aft as Oakum spoke.  "He was
+crossed in love when he was green."
+
+"Women's right enough at times," said Bob, a dull heavy fellow, with a
+dreadful squint, one of those distortions of the eyes which cause the
+owner to look behind his nose, which in this case was a very thick one.
+"I'm right sorry for that little one there, though, for she seems mighty
+bad."
+
+"Let me introduce one of our protectors to you, Miss Studwick," said the
+doctor, stopping by where she sat, book in hand.
+
+John Studwick gave an impatient twist in his chair.
+
+"This is Mr Oakum, the second mate, a gentleman who is a confirmed
+hater of your sex."
+
+"No I arn't," said Sam gruffly; "I only said as ladies hadn't no
+business on board ships, even if they is captain's daughters.  They only
+get listening by accident to people's tongues going a deal too fast and
+free."
+
+"That's meant for me, I suppose," said the doctor, laughing.  "Never
+mind, Oakum, we shall not quarrel.  I think you'll like Oakum, Mr
+Studwick."
+
+"Thank you," said the young man, sharply, "but I only take your medical
+advice, Mr Meldon.  Come, Bessy, it's chilly here."
+
+"But the sun is getting warmer every moment, John," said his sister,
+gently.  "I think you will be all the better for staying on deck."
+
+"I'm sure you will," said the doctor, smiling, and passing on.
+
+"I'm sure I shall not," exclaimed the invalid, pettishly, while his eyes
+looked jealously and brightly at the young doctor.  "Take me below,
+Bessy.  There--I can walk; come along.  Mr Oakum is right--men's
+tongues do go too freely here."
+
+Bessy looked at him sadly, and then smiling pleasantly as he raised his
+eyes, walked with him to the cabin door.
+
+"I hope you will not take any notice of my son's sharp remarks, doctor,"
+said Captain Studwick, overtaking the two young men, for he had heard
+what had passed.
+
+"Not I, indeed, captain," said the doctor, frankly.  "I think I
+understand what it means, and I should be a poor student of human nature
+if I visited his petulance upon him.  We shall be the best of friends
+before long, I'll be bound."
+
+"I hope so, I'm sure," said the captain, gloomily, "for it's quite
+possible that we may need to hold well together before our trip is
+over."
+
+"Do you anticipate any danger, captain?" said Wilson, turning pale.
+
+The captain hesitated, and then said--
+
+"Voyages are always dangerous--that's all."
+
+"He means more than he says," thought the doctor; and he followed the
+captain with his eyes as he went forward, stopped, and spoke a few words
+to Hester and Mr Parkley, who were still sitting together, and then
+joined Dutch, who was, according to his wont, gazing over the bulwark
+far out to sea.
+
+"Pugh," he said, holding out his cigar-case, for several of the men were
+standing about, and he thought it better not to seem to be making a
+communication, "I've got something on my mind, and of all the men on
+board you are the one I have chosen to make my confidant."
+
+Dutch's eyes brightened, and he turned to the captain eagerly.
+
+"What can I do?" he asked.
+
+"Nothing--only listen.  Perhaps this is only a mare's nest; but I've had
+so much to do with men, that I am rather a keen observer."
+
+"Is there any danger--anything wrong?" exclaimed Dutch, glancing
+involuntarily towards his wife.
+
+"Danger or no danger," replied the captain, "life is very uncertain, and
+if you will excuse me for saying it, I don't think you would like to
+die, or see her die,"--he nodded in the direction of the spot where
+Hester was sitting--"without clasping hands once more."
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+A MAN OVERBOARD.
+
+Dutch turned pale as ashes, and closed his eyes for a few moments; then
+turning an angry look upon the captain, he exclaimed--
+
+"You have no right to intrude in this way upon my private feelings,
+Captain Studwick."
+
+"Not, perhaps, between man and man, Pugh; but I speak as one who would
+give all he has to recall his poor wife, who died while he was at sea,
+after parting from her in anger."
+
+"For heaven's sake, be silent!" panted Dutch, grasping his arm.
+
+"She looks, poor little woman," continued the captain, paying no heed to
+his appeal, "as if a few weeks' neglect from you will kill her."
+
+"I cannot, I will not listen to you," said Dutch, hoarsely, and with the
+veins in his temples swelling.
+
+"I will say no more about that, then," said the captain, "but confide to
+you what I wish to say."
+
+"Go on."
+
+"Well, I may be wrong, but I have been trying to think it out ever since
+we started, and I have said nothing to Parkley because I am so
+uncertain."
+
+"I do not understand you," said Dutch, looking at him curiously.
+
+"I hardly understand myself," replied the captain; "but I will try to
+explain.  In the first place, you or we have made a deadly enemy in our
+Cuban acquaintance."
+
+"Undoubtedly," exclaimed Dutch.
+
+"One who would do anything to serve his ends--to stop us from getting to
+the place Oakum professes to know."
+
+"I am sure he would."
+
+"He would atop us at any cost."
+
+"If he could; but we were too quick for him, and he has not stopped us."
+
+"That's what troubles me."
+
+"How troubles you?  Why should that cause uneasiness?" said Dutch.
+
+"Because he strikes me as being a man of such diabolical ingenuity that
+he would have found, if he had wished, some means of circumventing us
+before we started; and hence, as you know, I have carefully scanned
+every ship we neared, or steamer that passed us."
+
+"Yes, I know all that," said Dutch, growing excited; "but we have been
+too much for him."
+
+"I fear not," said Captain Studwick.
+
+"Then you think we are in danger from him still?"
+
+"I do, and that he would not stop at murder, or sinking the ship, to
+gain his ends."
+
+"I believe not," said Dutch, moodily.  "But you have found out
+something?"
+
+"Not yet."
+
+"You know of something, then, for certain?"
+
+"Not yet."
+
+"Speak, man," exclaimed Dutch, impatiently.  "You torture me with your
+riddles.  What is it you think?"
+
+"Don't speak so loud," said the captain; "and don't look round and start
+when I tell you, but smoke quietly, and seem like me--watching those
+bonito playing below."
+
+Dutch nodded.
+
+"Go on," he said in a low voice.
+
+"I will explain, then," said the captain.  "But first I believe this: we
+have not been stopped or overtaken by Laure, because--"
+
+"Because what?"
+
+"We have the danger we shunned here on board."
+
+In spite of the feelings that had troubled him, the deep fervent love
+for his wife asserted itself at the words of Captain Studwick, and Dutch
+Pugh made a step in her direction, as if to be ready to protect her from
+harm, before he recollected himself, and recalled that there could be no
+immediate danger.
+
+"What do you mean?" he exclaimed then, eagerly.
+
+"That's a larger one than I've seen yet," said the captain, pointing
+with his cigar down into the clear water.  "Oakum, ask Mr Jones to get
+up the grains, and let any of the men who like try to strike a few of
+the fish."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," exclaimed Oakum.
+
+"Didn't I warn you to be quiet?" said the captain.  "Our safety and
+success depend on keeping our enemy in ignorance that we suspect him."
+
+"I beg pardon," said Dutch, taking his double-glass from its case,
+adjusting it, and watching the fish play about; by its help seeing them
+swimming together, rising, diving, and chasing one another through the
+water, which was of all shades, from the faintest aquamarine and pale
+turquoise to the richest, deepest sapphire blue.  "I am impulsive; but I
+will control myself.  Go on.  Whom do you suspect?"
+
+"That Cuban, of course."
+
+"But he is two thousand miles away."
+
+"Possibly, but his influence is with us."
+
+"What do you think, then?"
+
+"There's a much finer one still," cried the captain, pointing to an
+albicore, which kept pace exactly with the schooner, as she careened
+over to the soft breeze and surged through the sparkling water.  "No
+one."
+
+"Yes, I see him," said Dutch, aloud.  "But you think that Laure has
+emissaries on board?"
+
+"May be yes, may be no.  Lend me your glass, Mr Pugh.  Thanks."
+
+"Pray be a little more explicit.  What do you think, then?"
+
+"I hope they will strike a few of these fellows," said the captain,
+returning the glass.  "I can get on better without it, thank you.  Look
+here, Pugh," he said, in a lower tone, "I am all suspicion, and no
+certainty.  One thing is certain--those treasures have an existence; the
+Cuban's acts prove that, and he will never let us get the spoil if he
+can prevent it.  The colours of those fish are magnificent," he said,
+aloud, as the mulatto limped by.  "The ladies ought to come and look at
+them.  Every act of that man," he continued, "that I saw, proved him to
+be a fellow of marvellous resource and ingenuity."
+
+"Yes," said Dutch, nodding, with his eyes to the binocular.
+
+"And unscrupulous to a degree."
+
+Dutch nodded again.
+
+"If the _Wave_ was a steamer, instead of a fast three-masted schooner,
+it's my impression that we should have gone to the bottom before now."
+
+"How?  Why?"
+
+"He would have had a few sham lumps of coal conveyed into the bunkers--
+hollow pieces of cast iron, full of powder or dynamite; one or two would
+have been thrown into the furnace in firing, and the poor vessel would
+have had a hole blown in her, and gone to the bottom before we knew what
+was the matter."
+
+"Diabolical!" exclaimed Dutch, below his breath.
+
+"Oh, here is the grains," said the captain, as Oakum came along with an
+implement something like an eel spear, or the trident Neptune is
+represented as carrying, except that in this case, instead of three, it
+was furnished with five sharp barbed teeth, and a thin, strong cord was
+attached to the middle of the shaft.  "Would you like to try?" he
+continued, turning to Tonio, who stood close at hand.
+
+"Yes, I'll try," said the mulatto, in a guttural voice.
+
+"Let him have the grains, Oakum," said the captain, to the great
+disappointment of several of the men.  "These fellows are, some of them,
+very clever this way."
+
+The mulatto eagerly took the spear, fastened the cord around his wrist,
+and, followed by several of the men, went forward to the bowsprit,
+climbed out, and, descending, stood bare-footed on one of the stays,
+bending down with the weapon poised ready to dart it at the first likely
+fish that came within range.
+
+"I am all impatient to hear more," said Dutch, still watching the fish
+that played about in the blue water.
+
+"And I am all impatient to find out more," said the captain; "but we
+must be patient."
+
+"Then you know nothing?"
+
+"Nothing whatever.  I only feel sure that the Cuban is at work, trying
+to checkmate us; and, of course, I suspect.  Now, I want your help."
+
+"Of course," replied Dutch, both speaking more freely, for the attention
+of all was taken up now with the scene being enacted in the bows of the
+swift craft.  "I feel sure that you must be right; but I have had so
+much to think of that these things did not trouble me.  He must have
+started, and will get there before us."
+
+"I don't think that possible," said the captain, "but I have thought
+so."
+
+"But suppose that he has some of his men on board, scoundrels in his own
+pay."
+
+"That is far more likely," said the captain; "and that is why I am so
+careful."
+
+"Of course, that must be it," exclaimed Dutch.  "The villain!  He bribed
+your crew to desert, and has supplied others--his own miscreants."
+
+"That is one thing I suspect."
+
+"That last party there--the mulatto and the black."
+
+"That is the most natural supposition at the first blush; but the men
+are all strangers, and for this very reason I am half disposed to think
+it was the first lot.  One is so disposed to judge wrongly."
+
+"You are right," said Dutch, thoughtfully, "and we have no common
+plotter to deal with.  You remember the man who wanted to hide an
+important letter from the French spies?"
+
+"No," said the captain, watching him intently.  "What did he do?"
+
+"He placed the letter somewhere so as they should not find it, knowing
+full well that they would come and ransack his chambers as soon as his
+back was turned."
+
+"Well," said the captain, impatiently.
+
+"Well, the spies of the police came; and in his absence searched the
+place in every direction, even trying the legs of the chairs and tables
+to see if the document was rolled up and plugged in one of them; but
+they gave up in despair, finding nothing."
+
+"Where was it hidden, then," said the captain.
+
+"It was not hidden at all," said Dutch, smiling.  "The owner came back
+at last, after having been waylaid and searched, even to the linings of
+his clothes; and then, feeling secure, took the letter from where he had
+placed it, the French police feeling that it must be in other hands."
+
+"But where was it?" said the captain again.
+
+"Why, where he left it: in a common envelope, plain for everybody to
+see, just stuck half behind the looking-glass over the mantel-piece, and
+had probably been in the searchers' hands half-a-dozen times."
+
+"That is just the trick that the Cuban will try with us," exclaimed the
+captain.
+
+"I think so," said Dutch; "otherwise one might look upon that mulatto as
+a suspicious character."
+
+"Yes, of course," replied the captain.  "I was ready to pitch upon him
+at first, but I changed my mind, and am more disposed to suspect those
+two quiet English fellows, Lennie and Rolls, the men Oakum was talking
+to some time back."
+
+"I know," said Dutch.  "One of them is a dark fellow, with an outrageous
+cast in his eye."
+
+"In both his eyes, you mean," said the captain.  "That is Rolls.  The
+other fellow seems as thick-headed and stupid as an ox.  He has a
+perpetual grin on his face, and looks simplicity itself."
+
+"I know the men," said Dutch.  "But now what do you propose to do?"
+
+"Nothing but wait.  I had thought of putting the others on their guard;
+but by doing so I might defeat my own ends.  Perhaps, after all, I am
+wrong, and we shall never hear more of Master Laure, except, if we are
+successful, he may attack you by law for a share."
+
+"But you could take precautions," exclaimed Dutch, who again glanced
+involuntarily at his wife, who sat there watching him in a sad appealing
+way that went to his heart.
+
+"Every precaution with respect to the arms, which I always keep under
+lock and key.  And now, what I want you to do is to keep about at all
+times, night or day, as the chance may serve, picking up such facts as
+you come across, and communicating them to me; while, for my part, I
+shall keep every possible stitch of canvas set, and reach the place as
+soon as I can."
+
+"For it may turn out a false alarm," said Dutch.
+
+"I trust it may; but I feel sure it will not," replied the captain.
+
+"I'm afraid I must agree with you," said Dutch.  "Depend upon it, there
+is some deeply-laid plot ready to be sprung upon us.  However,
+forewarned--"
+
+"Man overboard!  Man overboard!" shouted half-a-dozen voices in chorus;
+and directly after, Mr Jones, the mate, was heard to cry hoarsely to
+the man at the wheel--
+
+"Hard down, my lad, hard down; steady, my lads.  Quick to those
+braces--'bout ship."
+
+"Here, four of you lower down this boat," cried the captain, as
+excitedly as the rest, for the fact was plain enough for comprehension.
+Tonio, the mulatto, had been darting his spear with more or less success
+at the bonito, and had at last sent it down with such precision in the
+back of a large fish that he had buried it far beyond the barbs, when
+his prey made a tremendous rush, gave the cord a violent jerk, and,
+being attached to the thrower's wrist, it literally snatched him from
+his precarious position, and, in spite of his being a good swimmer, he
+was rapidly being drowned by the frantic efforts of the fish.
+
+Dutch saw in an instant that long before the boat could be lowered the
+man would be exhausted, unless he was freed from the cord that jerked at
+his wrist as he swam, and by means of which he was dragged again and
+again beneath the water.  There was no time for thought: a
+fellow-creature was in deadly peril, and he felt that he could give
+help, so, throwing off the loose jacket he wore, and kicking off his
+shoes, he took out and opened his knife, and climbed on the bulwarks.
+As he did so, he caught a glimpse of Hester tottering with outspread
+arms towards him, and heard her wail his name, but as he did so he was
+leaping from the schooner's side to plunge deep down in the bright
+water, sending the shoal of bonito flying in all directions as his body
+formed a curve, and he came up twenty feet from where he had dipped, and
+then began swimming lustily towards the drowning man.
+
+A loud cheer saluted him as he turned on his side and swam hard, as the
+preparations for lowering the boat went on, with the schooner becoming
+each instant more distant, while it soon became evident with him that
+unless something unforeseen occurred the mulatto must be drowned; for,
+in spite of all Dutch's efforts, the fish took him farther and farther
+away, the man's struggles, as he rose on the long swell of the Atlantic,
+growing evidently feebler and feebler, till in its frantic dread and
+pain the fish suddenly turned, making back for where Dutch, with long
+slow strokes, urged himself rapidly through the water.
+
+He hardly knew how it happened, for as he made a dash to cut off the
+pain-maddened creature, it leaped over him, dived down, and, to his
+horror, Dutch found that the rope was over his body, and that he was
+being towed rapidly down into the awful depths of the ocean.  The light
+above him seemed to be dimmed, and he half lost consciousness.  Then,
+with one vigorous application of the knife, he was free, and a few kicks
+brought him breathless to the surface, where, as he panted, he paddled
+about looking for the mulatto, and had almost given him up when
+something rose up slowly to the surface, and one hand appeared clutching
+vainly at the air.
+
+Half-a-dozen strokes took Dutch to his side, and, catching the drowning
+man's wrist, he turned him over, and tried to get behind him.  But he
+was not quick enough, for, in the strong desire for life, the mulatto,
+as soon as he was touched, clasped the swimmer with arms and legs,
+completely crippling him, and, after a brief struggle, they sank
+together.
+
+As they rose once more, Dutch saw that the boat was quite two hundred
+yards away, and that his case was hopeless unless he took some
+high-handed manner of saving himself; so, turning as well as he could,
+he struck the drowning man a tremendous blow upon the temple with his
+doubled fist, stunning him effectually; his clasp loosened, and, shaking
+himself free, Dutch now turned him on his back, floating by his side as
+he sustained him, till, with a loud hurrah, echoed from the schooner,
+which was now coming down upon them hand-over-hand, the pair were
+dragged into the boat, and soon after lay in safety upon their vessel's
+deck.
+
+The first upon whom Dutch's eyes fell was his wife, kneeling by his
+side; and, as their eyes met, she took his hand, trembling, and raised
+it to her lips, those quivering lips seeming inaudibly to say--
+
+"Don't repulse me.  I love you so dearly, and so well."
+
+The next moment Bessy was leading her away, and, after swallowing a
+glass of stimulant handed to him by the doctor, Dutch rose, went below
+and changed, returning, little the worse for his immersion, to find that
+the doctor had succeeded in restoring the mulatto to consciousness,
+while Dutch himself was received with a hearty cheer.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+THE SILENT SEA.
+
+The schooner sped on, and nothing troublous disturbed the progress of
+the voyage as the days glided by.  So free from suspicion was everything
+on board, that the captain was beginning to be lulled into a sense of
+security, and a change had come over Pugh.
+
+A reconciliation had not taken place between him and Hester; but he did
+not avoid her now, but in a quiet, stern way watched over her, attending
+her as she struggled back to health under the unremitting charge of the
+doctor; and her lips daily grew less pale as the light of hope began
+once more to shine in her eyes.
+
+The routine of the ship went on in a regular way, and the men smoked and
+idled as they entered the tropics, and neared the object of the voyage.
+The doctor made himself specially agreeable to Sam Oakum, chatted with
+him, gave him cigars, which Sam cut up and chewed, ending by talking
+about John Studwick; at which Sam winked to himself as he thought that
+the doctor would not have taken so much interest in the case if it had
+not been for the sister.  Then, to use Oakum's own words, Mr Wilson
+would "come and fold his back," so as to lean his elbows on the
+bulwarks, and chatter about his birds and the natural-history objects
+Sam had seen in his travels--that worthy not forgetting to shoot the
+birds he described with the long bow; and all the while Mr Wilson, who
+was an exceedingly meek individual, would be smoothing his light, towey
+hair, which the winds blew about, altering the set of his tie and
+collar, and brushing the specks off his clothes.
+
+"He's a poor, weak, soft Tommy sort of a chap," said Sam to himself, as
+he watched him out of one corner of his eye, and saw that he was
+constantly on the look-out to see if Bessy Studwick came up on deck,
+content to watch her from a distance, for her brother had taken quite an
+antipathy to him.
+
+"Heigho!" he'd sigh, as he shook his head, and gazed down at the water,
+as if wondering whether he had not better emulate Dutch's plunge, and
+not come up again.  "Heigho! this is a strange world, Mr Oakum."
+
+"It's a rum 'un, sir, all round, and always was.  But I say, sir, it's
+easy to see what's the matter with you."
+
+"Oh, nonsense, nonsense, Mr Oakum!" said the tall fellow, blushing like
+a girl.
+
+"It's only natur', sir," said Sam, sympathetically, as he gave a good
+twist to his quid, and winked at one of the blacks.  "It ain't nothin'
+to be ashamed on."
+
+"Ah; Mr Oakum, I wish I was in such favour as you are over yonder."
+
+"You would not like to pay the cost, sir, I know."
+
+"Pay the cost, Mr Oakum; what do you mean?"
+
+"It's only we ugly ones as enjoys these privileges with the fair sect.
+You wouldn't like to be old and ugly like me, to be talked to as I am."
+
+"Ah, Mr Oakum, I would be her dog if she would be fond of me--or a
+bird," he said, enthusiastically.  "Ah, if I had only thought of it
+before I started."
+
+"Thought o' what, sir?" said Sam, winking at the black again.
+
+"Of bringing a few canaries.  They are such nice presents to give a
+lady."
+
+"Do you want to send a present to her, sir?"
+
+"Oh, yes, Mr Oakum."
+
+"Well, sir, if I were in love with a lady, and wanted--"
+
+"Oh, hush!  Mr Oakum."
+
+"Wanted, I says, to find her a present, I shouldn't send whistling
+canaries, but a pair o' cooing doves."
+
+The young naturalist stared at old Oakum, as if he wished to penetrate
+his inmost thoughts; but the old sailor never flinched, looking as
+serious as a judge outside, but laughing heartily within at the other's
+expense.
+
+"I will," he exclaimed; and hurrying away he was busy the rest of the
+day painting up one of his old cages, in which he placed a pair of
+doves, and called the old sailor down to him in the evening.
+
+"Take those to Miss Studwick, Mr Oakum, with my compliments, and--er--
+by the way--er--you would not feel offended if I offered you
+half-a-crown to buy tobacco?"
+
+"Not in the least, sir," exclaimed Oakum, earnestly.  "I'd do owt to
+oblige you."
+
+"Take them directly, then," he exclaimed; and with the two soft-plumaged
+birds sitting close together as the old fellow swung the cage, the
+present was taken to where Bessy Studwick sat by the side of her
+brother, reading to him on deck.
+
+Oakum was gone some time, and meanwhile poor Wilson fidgeted about
+amongst his birds, hardly able to bear the suspense, turning first red,
+and then pale, as Oakum came back, cage in hand, and set it down before
+him.
+
+"Miss Studwick says she's werry much obliged to you, sir," said Sam;
+"but she can't werry well keep the birds, as Mr John thinks they'd be
+too much for him to bear when they took to cooing."
+
+"It don't matter, Oakum--set them down," he said, huskily, with his back
+turned to the old sailor.  "I only thought the birds might amuse them,
+as Mr John is so ill.  Dick, Dick, pretty Dick," first to one bird and
+then to another, to hide his confusion.  "Come, little tame bird--come,
+Jenny," he continued, opening one of the cage doors, when a pretty
+little red-poll came hopping down from one perch to the other, and then
+stood at the door looking out, with its head first on one side and then
+on the other, and its little beady eyes directed first at Oakum, then at
+its master.
+
+"Why, bless its little heart, it looks as knowing as a Christian," said
+the old sailor.  "Why didn't you send that one, sir?  That would have
+pleased the young lady, and would have made no noise."
+
+Wilson shook his head as he held out his finger, and the bird uttered a
+loud twitter and flew to him, sitting on its living perch, and then,
+raffling its throat and crest, jerked out a little song, suffering
+itself afterwards to be stroked, and ending by picking a crumb from the
+naturalist's mouth, and then flitting back to the cage in which it was
+duly secured.
+
+But all of the birds were more or less tame, being ready to peck at the
+young man's fingers; and a robin, setting up his feathers and making a
+playful attack as it fluttered its wings, and pecked and fought, ended
+by hopping on its perch, and bursting into a triumphant song, as if it
+had conquered some fierce rival.
+
+"I wonder how many of them'll live in a foreign country, sir, when you
+gets 'em there," said Oakum.
+
+"Well, not all," said Mr Wilson; "but many of them.  Mind the paint on
+that cage, Mr Oakum.  I'm so much obliged.  Er--you won't take any
+notice about that cage and the birds?  Not that it matters, only Mr
+Meldon or Mr Parkley might laugh, perhaps."
+
+"Not I, sir.  You may trust me," growled Sam.
+
+"Some people have a habit of laughing at natural history, you know, er--
+er--because they don't understand."
+
+"You may trust me, sir," exclaimed the old fellow, as he went up the
+steps; and then to himself, "Yes, some folks has a habit of laughing at
+that kind o' nat'ral history when they see it.  For only to think of a
+thin, wobbling chap fancying as our Miss Bessy would take up with the
+likes o' he.  Hah! its a curus thing this love, and them as has got
+spliced don't allus seem to fit."
+
+He went on deck to find Bessy Studwick still reading to her brother; and
+her voice sounded so hoarse that the old fellow trotted to the steward's
+pantry for a glass of water and a couple of lumps of sugar, squeezing in
+afterwards the two halves of a lemon, bearing the drink himself to where
+John Studwick lay back gazing at the setting sun, his face lit up with a
+calm, placid smile; and, though his sister read on, he evidently hardly
+heard a word that was read.
+
+He started slightly as Oakum came up with the tumbler.
+
+"What is it?" he said, harshly.  "Has that Mr Meldon sent me more
+medicine?  I will not take it."
+
+Bessy Studwick must have turned her face more to the setting sun, for
+her cheeks grew crimson at her brother's words; and, seeing this, he
+looked at her angrily.
+
+"Lor' bless your 'art, no, sir," said Oakum.  "I thought you and our
+young lady here might be a bit thirsty after so much book, so I brought
+you some lemonade."
+
+They gave him a grateful look, each thanking him for the attention to
+the other, and as he walked back with the empty glass Mr Meldon, who
+was standing talking to Hester Pugh and Mr Parkley, turned, sighed to
+himself, and looked after the old man with a feeling of envy.
+
+"If I had paid that little attention," he thought, "it would have been
+refused with some harsh remark.  Poor fellow! even though he's her
+brother, I do not wonder at his feeling jealous of every look."
+
+Days of sailing over bright, sun-flecked seas, evenings of gorgeous
+sunsets, and nights of black violet skies, with the great stars
+sparkling overhead, and reflected in myriads on the smooth surface of
+the wondrous phosphorescent water, all aglow with pale fire wherever
+fish darted, while the schooner's bows seemed plunging through foaming,
+liquid moonbeams.  Mornings with such wondrous tints of orange and
+scarlet, crimson and gold, that those who gazed upon them did so in awe
+of the mighty works of the grand world.  Then came heat so intense that
+the brass rails burned the hand, the pitch oozed from the seams, and the
+passengers lay panting beneath the awning spread aft, and longing for
+the evening breeze.
+
+Now and then the cocoanut-fringed islands were seen, but no stoppage was
+made; for, on consideration, it was decided that such a step might
+afford the Cuban a clue to their whereabouts, while now both Captain
+Studwick and Dutch felt satisfied that their suspicions had been without
+foundation--that they had indeed eluded him, and all they had to do now
+was to make the best of their way to the treasure, and secure their
+prizes.
+
+So southward and westward went the schooner, past reef, key, and island
+towards the El Dorado of their hopes; the two invalids much better; in
+fact, Hester's colour had been pretty well restored, and all she waited
+for was the day when her golden hopes would be realised--not those of
+finding ingot or bar long buried in the sea, but the restoration,
+complete and full, of her husband's love and trust.
+
+The Caribbean Sea had long been entered, and its sheltering chain of
+islands left behind; and now, with Oakum in consultation with the
+captain, the vessel's course was altered to due south, with the result
+that one evening, after gradually creeping along the forest-clad coast
+of Venezuela, and land that seemed almost weird in its silence and wild
+grandeur, anchor was cast for the night, for the voyage was almost at an
+end.
+
+A long debate took place that night, in which Oakum and the black took
+part, the result being eminently satisfactory to Mr Parkley and Dutch,
+for both the above spoke positively as to their being now within
+certainly a mile east or west of the spot where one of the wrecks could
+be found.
+
+"I don't say, you know, as I've put the schooner right on the spot; but
+she's here close, and we must out boats and cruise about, looking down
+through the water, which is as clear as glass, till we get right, and
+then we can sail or tow her up."
+
+As the stars came out, and the adventurers stood by the bulwarks, gazing
+at the thick black wall of forest beyond the rocks and snowy sand, where
+the waves broke in lines of phosphorescent gold, they could easily
+understand how it was that these treasures had lain untouched so long.
+For here the beasts of the forest had sole dominion; and even the
+Indians of the country showed no sign of ever visiting the grand
+solitudes.  All seemed as nature had left it when her handiwork was at
+an end; and, driven by some furious hurricane upon one or other of the
+rocks that abounded, a ship would fill and sink, and be forgotten.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+OAKUM AT FAULT.
+
+There was a silence almost awful, affecting those on board so that they
+spoke in whispers; but every now and then some strange howl or wild cry
+made sailors and passengers start, and listen again for the weird
+whispers and noises that arose.
+
+The solemnity of the scene had its effect on the men, who gathered
+together talking of supernatural visitations, haunted ships, and the
+ghosts of the old buccaneers who watched over their buried treasure,
+till they were all more or less infected with fear; and the squinting
+sailor expressed his opinion that no good would come of meddling with
+what was evidently meant to lie buried, he was sure--a declaration that
+excited the laughter of Tonio, who ended by calling him a cowardly fool.
+
+Meanwhile, on deck the excitement of being at last so near the goal of
+their hopes kept the leaders of the expedition from seeking their cots,
+and Dutch was gazing thoughtfully at the breaking sea falling back in a
+murmur in golden foam, when he started, for a little cold hand was laid
+upon his, and he found that Hester was by his side.
+
+"What do you want?" he said, coldly; but his voice had lost its former
+harshness.
+
+"My husband to tell me that he believes and trusts me once again," she
+said, piteously.  And she sank on the deck to embrace his knees.
+
+Dutch Pugh was a stern man, but he could not long resist this appeal.
+He had fought against the piteous glances now for many days.  He had
+turned a deaf ear to Bessy Studwick's rebukes and insistance upon
+Hester's innocence; but now, in the soft darkness of that tropic night,
+in the silent grandeur of that mysterious sea, he felt his heart beat
+wildly with its old love.  But there was that damning scene that he had
+witnessed from the garden seeming to rise up like a grim shadow between
+them, and, with a sigh, he raised her and led her weeping to the cabin
+stairs.
+
+"Good-night, Dutch, dear Dutch," she filtered, clinging to his arm.
+
+"Good-night, Hester," he said, coldly.
+
+"Pray, pray do not let us part like that," she whispered.  "Dutch, dear
+Dutch, if you could only read my heart, you would know how unkind are
+your suspicions, how cruel to me.  Let me explain.  Question me--
+anything."
+
+"Good-night," he said.  "Go down below.  I will not have a scene here."
+
+"I will obey you, Dutch," she said, quietly, as by a great effort she
+mastered her emotion.  "Some day, dear, you will find out the truth.
+Till then I will wait patiently and unchanging.  Don't be angry with me
+for coming.  I should have died if you had left me behind."
+
+She spoke with so sweet a pathos in her voice that Dutch's heart beat
+painfully, and the words were on his lips to say, "Come to me, darling,
+I do believe you;" but they were not spoken, for she slowly descended
+the stairs to the cabin, leaving him gazing wistfully after her.  Then,
+walking to the side, he leaned his head upon his hands, praying in the
+bitterness of his heart that this painful time might end, and listening,
+as it were, to adverse promptings of his spirit, seeming to hear the
+sweet innocency of her life proclaimed to him on the one side, while on
+the other, in hateful repetition, came the scenes he had witnessed, the
+dreamy vision, the strange alteration in her manner, Laure's triumphant
+sneers, and the shadow on the blind.
+
+"If heaven had but given me the strength of mind that has been given to
+my outward frame, I could have been happy," he groaned.
+
+"If you lean there and doze, so close to these forests, friend Pugh, we
+shall have you down with fever," said the captain, laying his hand upon
+his shoulder.
+
+Dutch started up, for he had not heard him approach.
+
+"I was only thinking," he said, hastily.
+
+"I know what about, Pugh; and, from what my girl Bessy has said to me, I
+should like to talk to you.  But I can't help feeling that matters are
+coming right without my interfering.  There, I'll say no more.  I only
+wanted to have a chat with you quietly.  I've been talking to Parkley,
+and I wanted to tell you that I have made the strictest arrangements for
+guarding against surprise.  Regular watch will be kept, just as if we
+were at sea; for, of course, before long it is probable that we may have
+many thousand pounds' worth of metal on board.  But at the same time I
+think we have circumvented the enemy."
+
+"You have seen nothing to excite your suspicions, then," said Dutch.
+
+"No.  Nor you?"
+
+"Nothing whatever."
+
+"That's well; but, all the same, we will not relax our watchfulness.
+Parkley and the doctor have both promised, and you must do the same."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"Whenever you wake in the night, get up and come and have a turn round
+the deck.  It will keep the men well to their work if they feel that at
+any time they may be overhauled."
+
+"What was that?" said Dutch, softly; and he laid his hand upon the
+captain's arm.
+
+They both stood listening intently, and gazing in the direction whence
+the sound had come.
+
+The night was now intense in its darkness, and for reasons of their
+own--being, of course, far out of the track of ships--no lights whatever
+were shown; even those in the cabins were out, or so arranged that they
+would not attract attention if a wandering savage should have drawn up
+his canoe on the beach.  The stars glittered overhead, but the greater
+part of the sky was overcast, and the heat seemed to portend a storm;
+but all was perfectly still, except the low, soft wash of the water as
+it broke upon the sands, and bathed them with the pale gold
+phosphorescence.
+
+"I heard nothing," said the captain, softly.  "I'm afraid, Dutch Pugh,
+that we have frightened ourselves rather too much.  All we need fear now
+is the weather.  Perhaps we might have a little trouble with the Indians
+if they found us out; but we could easily keep them at bay."
+
+"I certainly heard an unusual sound," replied Dutch.  "Let's walk
+quietly forward."
+
+They walked towards the bows, and as they did so a dark figure that had
+been lying a couple of yards from Dutch, close beneath the bulwarks,
+glided softly away, like some huge snake.  So dark was it that it was
+hard to distinguish the outlines, and to trace where the figure went,
+while its movements were so silent that the two watchers saw nothing.
+
+They went and spoke to the man leaning over the bows, who proved to be
+Dick Rolls.
+
+"Heard anything?" said the captain, going up so silently that the man
+started.
+
+"Lord's truth, capen, don't do that!" he exclaimed, in an injured tone.
+"It's skeary enough here listening to the things creeping about in the
+wood there.  No, I ain't heard nothing else."
+
+"Keep a sharp look-out," said the captain, and the man uttered a growl.
+
+Walking softly aft, they found the man on the watch to be Bob Lennie,
+who was seated on the bulwarks, making a sort of humming noise to
+himself, under the impression that he was singing.  He, too, allowed
+himself to be so closely approached that they almost touched him before
+he spoke.
+
+"No," he said, slowly, "I ain't seed nor heered anything; only the
+lights over yonder in the woods, and the black things crawling in and
+out of the water where that there patch o' yaller sand is."
+
+"You must have been mistaken, Pugh," said the captain.  "All's right;
+let's go and turn in."
+
+Dutch followed him down the cabin stairs, and the deck was left to the
+watch.
+
+For quite half an hour all was perfectly still, except when some strange
+forest cry arose, and then two figures stole softly out from under the
+bulwarks, and went forward, to find that Dick Rolls had joined his
+fellow-watcher for company's sake.
+
+That was sufficient.  The next minute the falls were seized, and the
+little dingy which hung from the davits was softly lowered into the
+water; two men slid down the ropes, unhooked the boat as it rose with
+the swell, and, without attempting to use the sculls, let the current
+drift them slowly away into the bank of darkness that closed the vessel
+round.
+
+Before dawn every man was on deck waiting for the rising of the sun, for
+there was not one who did not look forward with great excitement to the
+coming day, which might bring large wealth to some, and to all an
+increase of pay, besides which there was a certain fascination in the
+search.  The mystery and uncertainty of the adventure had their charms,
+while to the more ignorant there was a thrill of excitement in the
+superstition with which their minds mingled the project.  Those who had
+in their lives toiled hard to obtain the treasure must, they felt,
+return to the place in spirit where it was lost, and try to guard it
+from sacrilegious touch.
+
+The subject had been well discussed in the forecastle, and there was
+hardly one who did not feel the childlike desire, mingled with dread,
+that is felt by the ignorant over some ghost story--the shrinking and
+the desire to know.
+
+It was, indeed, felt to be an eventful morning, and Mr Parkley looked
+pale as he stood on deck in the cool grey mist talking to Dutch, and
+wondering whether good fortune was to attend their venture.  As for
+Oakum and 'Pollo, they, too, were both on their mettle, for on them
+depended a good deal; while old Rasp also appeared among the excited
+group on deck, where he had been seen but little during the voyage after
+the first few days, for he had spent most of his time below, polishing
+helmets and oiling and re-oiling valves in the cabin he shared with
+Oakum, and where they had squabbled and disagreed all through the
+voyage.
+
+There was a complete change in Rasp as he came up to where his employers
+stood, for his listless way was thrown off, and a look of importance
+overspread his features as he gave a side glance at Oakum, which plainly
+said, "There, your reign is over, and mine has begun."
+
+"Shall I be getting up the tackle, Mr Pug?" he said, "so as to be well
+ready."
+
+"No, Rasp, we shall not want you yet," replied Dutch.  "Wait till we get
+to the spot."
+
+Oakum gave a chuckle which made Rasp turn upon him angrily; but the old
+fellow's face was as hard and solid as if carved out of wood, and with
+not the vestige of a smile thereon; but 'Pollo, who stood close by, was
+showing his white teeth to the fullest extent.
+
+"What are you grinning at, old ebony?" snarled Rasp, glad to have
+somebody upon whom he could turn.
+
+"I just tink, sah, dat as I go to be berry busy find de treasure ship
+'long o' Mass' Oakum, you like to come and 'joy yourself, poke de galley
+fire all day."
+
+"Yah!" ejaculated Rasp, angrily; and he walked to the side, and began
+spitting viciously at the rippling waves under the schooner's counter.
+
+"How is it that boat's down in the water?" exclaimed the captain,
+suddenly, as he crossed to where the dingy was swinging by her painter.
+
+"I left her hanging to the davits last night," said the mate.  "Do you
+know, Oakum?"
+
+"Wasn't my watch," said that worthy, "but the skipper's.  Dick, 'Pollo,
+and Bob Lennie was on deck for one spell."
+
+"Do you know why the boat was lowered?" said the captain, turning to the
+men, who had just left their hammocks.
+
+Bob Lennie the quiet shook his head, and Dick Rolls' eyes nearly
+disappeared under the thick bridge of his nose as he stared down with
+his head first on one side, then on the other.
+
+"No, I dunno," he growled.  "I never knowed it was lowered."
+
+The question was passed round, but no one knew anything about it; and
+the men shook their heads, and seemed to think it was very mysterious.
+
+For there seemed to be no reason why it should have been let down.  Had
+it been missing altogether, and a man or two with it, the cause would
+have been plain; but every man of the crew was on deck, and one and all
+denied knowledge of the boat having been touched.
+
+This excited the suspicion of the captain again; but the busy events of
+the morning chased the feeling away, and it was soon forgotten.
+
+For Sam Oakum was to all intents and purposes now captain of the
+schooner, and 'Pollo his mate, as the former took the direction, had the
+anchor heaved up, and, consulting again and again with the latter, the
+vessel was allowed to drift with the current a few hundred yards.
+
+"Do you feel pretty certain, Oakum?" said the captain, after a time, for
+the old sailor's actions did not inspire him with much confidence.  In
+fact, after running half a mile with the current, he suddenly gave
+orders for a couple of sails to be hoisted, put the schooner about, and
+began to beat back.
+
+"You let me alone," growled Oakum.  "I'm a-doing the best I can.  You
+see, it's a good many years since I was here, and the bearings ar'n't so
+fresh in my mem'ry as they was."
+
+The captain said nothing, only glanced at Dutch, who had heard every
+word, and as the eyes of these two met they seemed to say to one
+another, "Suppose that this--trust of ours should be a foolish one,
+after all."
+
+Mr Parkley went up to Oakum once and spoke, but he received so sharp a
+reply that the old fellow was left alone.  It was evident that he was a
+good deal puzzled, for in the course of an hour he renewed his quid of
+tobacco half-a-dozen times, and literally scraped the perspiration off
+his face with his rough finger, as he stood by the wheel giving
+directions to the man who was steering.
+
+It was a most interesting time to all on board; the passengers were on
+deck, and even listless John Studwick stood leaning over the bulwarks,
+with his eyes brightening, and Mr Wilson and the doctor seemed to be as
+eager as the rest to find the buried treasure.  Even the mulatto and the
+black sailor seemed roused from their slow-going apathy, and watched
+Oakum as he changed the course of the vessel from time to time, running
+amongst rocks, now close in shore, and once so near to a point that the
+waving cocoanut and other palms almost touched the rigging, and Captain
+Studwick stood ready to seize the wheel himself, for it seemed as if the
+schooner would be run aground.
+
+If the thirst for gold had been less strong, no one there could have
+failed to revel in the beauty of the scene; for now, in the
+ever-increasing heat of the morning sunshine, the black mystery of the
+forest seemed to be swept away, and they gazed upon a belt of wondrously
+tinted green, with leafage of every variety and shape, seen beyond a
+narrow strip of golden sand, while sometimes, where rock took the place
+of the sand, the strange tropic trees waved right over the limpid sea
+which washed their roots.  So close were they at times that the very
+veins of the great leaves could be traced, and the beauty of the various
+tints and lovely flowers of parasitic growth, which climbed up and then
+hung down their great trumpet-shaped bells with lavish prodigality to
+swing in the hot breeze, was reflected in the little creeks and inlets
+of the coast.
+
+Wilson was in raptures, and wanted to form an expedition directly to go
+in pursuit of the gorgeously-feathered birds that came down to the edge
+of the forest, and then, uttering strange cries, flitted back into its
+shades.  John Studwick looked earnestly at the leafy paradise, with its
+brilliant blossoms, and longed to lie and dream away his hours in the
+delicious shade, and even the doctor ceased to watch intently every
+motion of Bessy Studwick, and gazed with delight at the beauteous scene.
+
+But there was the adverse side to the beautiful picture; for here and
+there in the inlets black, rugged, weird-looking forms could be seen
+lying apparently asleep on the sand, but ready to scuffle back into the
+water on the vessel's approach--alligators looking as dangerous as
+loathsome.  There were dangers, too, in the sharp-edged rocks, around
+which the pale blue sea rose and fell so placidly; and a score of times
+it seemed as if the schooner's planks must be pierced by the sharp
+points that were so threateningly near.  Always, however, in the most
+threatening times, a turn of the wheel sufficed to send the graceful
+vessel clear, and so skilfully was she handled that Captain Studwick
+grew more satisfied on that point, as he felt doubts of Oakum's other
+knowledge grow stronger every hour.
+
+His doubts were shared, too, by Dutch and Mr Parkley, and it was very
+evident that he was at fault, for 'Pollo was severely snubbed upon
+several occasions when he hazarded a remark, and the men began to talk
+in whispers as they saw the schooner retrace her path again and again.
+
+"Can't you find it, Oakum?" said Dutch at last, as he dragged his eyes
+from the group composed of his young wife, Bessy Studwick, and her
+brother, all seated in the mellow shade cast by an awning; for the sun
+was now sending down a shower of silvery, white-hot arrows upon the
+deck.
+
+"Don't you be in such a mighty fuss, Mr Dutch," was the tetchy reply.
+"These here things ain't done in a hurry.  I'm a-working as hard as ever
+I can; its hereabouts somewhere, on'y the bearings don't seem to be the
+same."
+
+"Can I be of any assistance to you?" said Dutch.
+
+"Yes; just get out of the way, sir.  There, be smart ahead there.  Be
+ready to let go the anchor when I cry let go."
+
+As he spoke he gave the man he had placed for the time at the wheel an
+impatient look, took the spokes in hand himself, ran the vessel in
+towards the shore, then gave the word; there was a dull splash, the
+chain rattled out through the hawse-holes, and was stopped; the sails
+flapped and shivered in the gentle breeze, and the schooner softly swung
+round, with a motion hardly perceptible, till she lay with her head to
+the current, now so slow that its effects on the vessel could hardly be
+seen.
+
+"Is this the place, then?" cried Mr Parkley, eagerly, as he ran to peer
+over the side, where half the men were already similarly engaged.
+
+"No 'taint," said Sam, crossly, as he let go the spokes, and, taking off
+his straw hat, began scratching his bald head in a vicious way.  "It's
+somewhere about here, but the bearings is altered.  There was four tall
+cocoanut trees on a bluff, and you had to bring them in a line with a
+bit o' rock sticking out o' the water like a wet monkey, and they're
+gone."
+
+"But are you sure this was the piece of coast line?" said the captain,
+rather sternly.
+
+"Course I am.  This is one of the places, and there's two more--one on
+'em ashore, 'bout fifty miles from here."
+
+"Had we not better try that first?" said Dutch.
+
+"What's the good o' your talking like that, sir, when you've brought
+diving things o' purpose to go down?  No, I ain't half done yet.  Here,
+I've finished my bacco; some 'un lend me a bit."
+
+The mate handed him some, and Sam stood staring about, while the men
+were evidently laughing at his failure.
+
+"Think, Mass' Oakum, sah--"
+
+"No, you don't," said Sam, who wanted some one on whom to vent his
+spleen.  "You don't think, and you never did think, and never will with
+that thick skull of yours.  So hold your tongue."
+
+'Pollo held his tongue, put all the little nose he had in the air, and
+stalked off with great dignity to his galley.
+
+"What do you propose doing?" said Captain Studwick.
+
+"Lower down the jolly-boat," said Sam, after indulging in another good
+scratch.
+
+This was immediately done, and with four men at the oars, and Dutch, Mr
+Parkley, the captain, and Oakum for freight they pushed off from the
+schooner.
+
+Oakum took his place in the bows with Dutch, and then, directing the men
+to row very softly as he directed, they went slowly forward over the
+limpid waters.
+
+"You keep a good lookout over the side, Mr Dutch Pugh," said Sam, "and
+I'll do the same.  It's so clear that you can see seven or eight fathoms
+down; and if you see anything particular, give the word, and we'll
+stop."
+
+Heedless of the blazing sun--which, however, made their task very easy,
+lighting up, as it did, the clear waters below--they zigzagged for hours
+in all directions from the schooner, seeing below groves and trees of
+coral of the most wondrous tints, among which darted and played fish
+banded with gold, vermilion, and azure, silvery-sided, olive, green, and
+blue of the brightest and every tint.  Great shells, almost as gay in
+colour, were slowly kept in motion by their inhabitants as they crawled
+over the surface of the many-hued rocks.  Shoals of fish played amongst
+the moving seaweeds, and then flashed away like some brilliant silver
+firework as the shadow of the boat approached them, its shape being
+plainly seen on the sand below; and on every side new objects of beauty
+came into sight.  Treasures of natural history there were of every kind,
+but not the treasure they sought; and at last, worn out with heat and
+disappointment, Mr Parkley proposed that they should return.
+
+"What an opportunity," thought Dutch, as, after a growling protest, Sam
+Oakum seated himself in the bottom of the boat and began viciously to
+cut off a wedge of tobacco--"what an opportunity we have given those on
+board for a rising, if there are any suspicious characters there."  And
+then his heart leaped and his hand involuntarily sought his pistol as he
+thought of his wife and the danger to which she would be exposed.
+
+"Suppose," he thought, as he shaded his eyes with his hand, and gazed at
+the distant vessel, "those two scoundrels should assume the command, and
+set us at defiance, we could never get back on board."
+
+Me shuddered as these thoughts gained stronger power over him, and
+looked from one to the other; but it was evident that no such thoughts
+troubled them, for as the oars of the four sailors lazily dipped, and
+made the water flash and sparkle, he could see that his companions,
+listless with the heat, were leaning back and troubled more with
+disappointment about the failure.
+
+"Look here everybody," cried Sam, suddenly, in a voice that, heard in
+that wonderful solitude, made every one start.  "I'm not beat, you know;
+not a bit of it.  Them there ships is to be found--what's left of 'em--
+and I'm going to find 'em."
+
+"I hope you are, Oakum," said the captain, quietly; "but don't boast.
+The first effort has not been a successful one."
+
+"I never said as I'd find 'em the first time," said Sam, sharply.
+"'Taint likely as a man's going to sail a ship thousands o' miles and
+put her right on the spot.  You wait a bit."
+
+No one answered; and, to Dutch's great delight, they were soon back on
+board, to find everybody half asleep, and no sign whatever of danger;
+and though far from being disposed to greet his wife in the old way, he
+felt, in spite of himself, obliged to say a few kind words as she
+pressed forward to meet him, her eager eyes telling of her joy to see
+him back.  Then he shrank away with a frown, for it seemed to him that
+the mulatto was watching them curiously, though the second time he
+glanced at the man he was busy arranging a brightly-coloured kerchief
+over his head, before leaning back against the bulwark with half-closed
+eyes.
+
+Nothing had taken place in their absence, and a dead calm had fallen.
+The heat was excessive, for not the faintest breath of air came from
+land or sea; but the beauty of the surroundings seemed to have its
+effect upon all, even to the lowest sailor; for as the evening came on,
+and the stars were lighted aloft, there was a dreamy delight in the
+darkening forest shore, where fireflies flitted; and once more strange
+whisperings, rustlings of trees, and splashes in the water were heard.
+But they did not excite the superstitious dread of the previous night;
+and at last, when most careful arrangements had been made by Captain
+Studwick to guard against internal and external surprise, watch was set,
+and the silence of death seemed to tall upon the schooner.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+THE PROTECTORS OF THE TREASURE.
+
+That night passed away quietly enough, after a discussion as to future
+proceedings, when it had been decided to leave Sam Oakum to his own
+devices; for they were so solely dependent upon his success that it
+would have been folly to interfere.
+
+"It was easy enough at Ramwich to talk about sweeping the sea till we
+found what we sought," said Mr Parkley, dolefully; "but now we are here
+it seems as if we might hunt for our lifetimes without success."
+
+"And yet that scoundrel discovered the old wrecks," said Dutch, firmly.
+"What one man has done another can do.  For my part, now we are out upon
+the adventure, I mean to stop till we succeed."
+
+Mr Parkley patted him on the back, and looked up smilingly at him; and
+Dutch's words seemed to impart spirit to all present.
+
+Sam Oakum had insisted upon taking the first watch, declaring that he
+was not tired, and wanted to think; and the consequence was that the sun
+was well up before he put in an appearance on deck after his breakfast.
+
+"Now, Oakum," said Captain Studwick, rather impatiently, "what do you
+propose doing?  Shall we up anchor and run along the coast a little way,
+and then anchor and have a fresh search?"
+
+Sam did not reply, for he had his cake of tobacco in one hand and his
+knife in the other, and he was going to take a piece off for his morning
+refreshment.  But knife and cake remained unemployed as his attention
+seemed fixed by something ashore.  Then the cake was thrust back into
+one pocket, the knife closed with a snap and thrust back into the other,
+and he took a glance round.
+
+The ship was now swinging in a different direction to that which it had
+occupied on the previous day, and this seemed to puzzle Sam for the
+moment.  The tide was low, too, and that made a difference in the
+surroundings--rocks standing clear of the water that were invisible
+before, and there was a ravine opened out that was not visible on the
+previous day.
+
+"She's dragged her anchor a bit, hasn't she?" said Sam, at last.
+
+"No," said the captain, "we were too close to those rocks, so I up with
+the anchor this morning, and let her drift a couple of hundred yards
+before dropping it again."
+
+"Just hand us that double-barrel spyglass o' yourn, Mr Pugh, will you
+please?" said Oakum quietly; and when he had set it to the right focus
+for his eyes, he took a long look at the shore, shut the glass up,
+returned it, sat down on the deck, and taking out his tobacco and knife
+hewed off a good piece of the hard cake, and thrust it into his mouth
+without a word.
+
+"Well, Mr Oakum," said the captain, at last, with a look of annoyance
+on his face, "what is to be done next?"
+
+"Send forrard for 'Pollo," said Sam, coolly.
+
+The captain gave an impatient stamp, but turning to the mulatto, who was
+by the bulwark, sent him for the black cook.
+
+"You want me, sah?" exclaimed 'Pollo, showing his white teeth.
+
+"So I do, 'Pollo," said Sam, borrowing the glass again from Dutch, and,
+after focussing it, placing it flat on the bulwarks, and bringing it to
+bear on some object ashore.  "Now, come here, 'Pollo," he continued;
+"stoop down and take a squint through this here glass, and tell us what
+you see."
+
+'Pollo stooped down to look through the glass.
+
+"Not that way, you lubber," cried Sam.  "What are you shutting one eye
+up for?  Don't you see it's a double spyglass?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sah--I see, sah," said 'Pollo, bending down for another look.
+
+"Now you're a-shutting up tother eye," cried Sam, sharply.
+
+"Was I, sah?  Well, so I tink I was.  Now, den, I try bofe open
+togedder.  Dat's him; I see beauful now.  All de lubbly trees shinin' in
+de sun, and four big long trees lie down top o' one anoder.  All blow
+down by de wind."
+
+"And what's that, 'Pollo?" cried Sam, giving him a slap on the back, as
+he pointed to a rock lying under the shade of a point right aft.
+
+"Dat am de rock like de wet monkey, Mass' Oakum, sah.  Dere, genelmen, I
+tell you I find de place easy 'nough."
+
+"Don't you think it might be me as has found it?" said Sam, with a grim
+laugh.  "There, gentlemen, I couldn't answer for those trees being blown
+down by a hurricane.  I looked out for them to take my bearings, and
+they were gone.  I must have seen the rock, too, at low water."
+
+"Then you think we are near the place?" cried Dutch, eagerly.
+
+"Well, sir," said Oakum coolly, "I won't be too cocksure to a foot or
+two in a few thousand miles; but if the capen here will send out a kedge
+anchor in the boat, and drop it about a dozen fathoms towards that rock
+to port there, and haul upon it till the schooner's bowsprit pynts dead
+for them two rocks, so as we has them in a line, I'll eat my hat if we
+ain't right over some part or other of the old wreck."
+
+A dead silence ensued for a few moments as if every man's breath was
+taken away, and then giving his orders sharply a little anchor was
+lowered down into the jolly-boat; and to Mr Jones was given the task of
+carrying out the manoeuvre.  This was soon done--the anchor dropped over
+the boat's side with a splash, taking firm hold directly, and then the
+hawser was hauled upon by the men on board, till the position of the
+schooner was altered so that she lay with her bowsprit pointing right
+across the two rocks indicated by Oakum.
+
+"That will do," the latter shouted--"not another foot.  Make fast."
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+OVER THE TREASURE.
+
+The hawser was secured and, as the jolly-boat lay alongside, a second
+small anchor was lowered into her, and carried out and dropped on the
+other side, the rope hauled taut and made fast, and the schooner now
+moored in a position which the light current could not affect, though a
+storm would doubtless have made the anchors drag.
+
+"That's my job 'bout done, capen and Mr Parkley, sire.  I said as I'd
+put the schooner over the spot; and there she is."
+
+"But do you really think, Oakum--" began Mr Parkley.
+
+"I don't think nothing, sir.  There's the place and that 'ere's the rock
+as 'Pollo dived off into the deep water.  Ain't it, 'Pollo?"
+
+"Dat's true, sah," cried the black, laughing boisterously.
+
+"Then its 'bout time I browt up the helmets and things, eh?" said Rasp,
+who had been looking on with inquiring eye.
+
+"Not yet, Rasp," exclaimed Dutch, who now hurried to the side, and
+peered down into the brightly illumined depths, an example followed by
+the captain and half the crew.
+
+The result was disappointing, and Dutch and Mr Parkley descended into
+the boat, waiting till it was perfectly motionless, and then making use
+of a large tube which they thrust some feet down into the water, and
+gazed intently at the rocks, sands, and wonders of the sea below.
+
+This process they followed up as they slowly shifted the boat round from
+place to place; and each time that Dutch looked up to answer some
+question from the deck it was to encounter the sinister face of the
+mulatto, with the scar plainly marked in the sunlight, gazing intently
+down.  For the matter of that so was the face of 'Pollo, the other
+black, and the rest of the crew; but the countenance of the mulatto
+alone seemed to strike him, for the peculiarity of its looks, and the
+eagerness with which, in a partial way, its owner seemed to watch his
+every action.
+
+"Well, gentlemen," said John Studwick, in a half-mocking way, "can you
+see the El Dorado through that piece of brass pipe?"
+
+"Not yet," said Dutch, quietly.  And he went on with his research,
+seeing fish as brilliant as any he had before noticed, rocks covered
+with olive green and scarlet weed, that floated out and played in the
+water, many yards in length; great stones covered with shells and acorn
+barnacles; sea anemones, whose petals were more delicately beautiful
+than any flowers he had beheld; but no trace of old ship timber, in the
+shape of ribs, stern-post, keel, or stem.  Nothing but sand, rock, and
+seaweed; and at last the two sat up in the boat and looked at one
+another.
+
+"What's the good o' you humbugging?" said Rasp, on deck, to
+self-satisfied Oakum, who stood leaning his back against the bulwark,
+and staring at the landmarks by which he had found the spot.
+
+"Who's humbugging?" said Oakum, roughly.
+
+"Why, you.  It's all sham.  There ain't no wreck below there."
+
+"Bah!  How do you know?" growled Oakum.  "I know there is, but don't say
+as there ain't been no one near and cleaned it out."
+
+Hester was standing close by, and heard all this.  Her face flushed with
+anxiety, and her heart rose and fell, as she eagerly listened to the
+opinions expressed, and thought of the bitter disappointment Dutch would
+feel if the search was without success.
+
+Just then her husband said something hastily, which drew the attention
+of all on board; and taking hold of a rope, she leaned forward to try
+and catch a glimpse of what was going forward, when she started back
+with a faint cry of alarm, for a pair of burning lips were placed upon
+her hand, and as she snatched it away, and faced round it was to meet
+the glittering eyes of the mulatto fixed upon her, with so fiercely
+intense a gaze that she shrank away trembling, but not before he had
+whispered to her--
+
+"Silence, if you value your life!"
+
+She felt sick with horror as the man glided away, for the tones of his
+voice seemed familiar, and her very first impulse was to call her
+husband; but the mulatto's words had such an effect upon her, weakened
+as she was with long illness, that she dared not speak even to Bessy, to
+whose side she crept as an eager buzz of conversation went on.
+
+For, after sitting thoughtfully in the boat for a few minutes, Dutch had
+leaned over the side once more, placing his face in the water, and gazed
+down at the beautiful submarine grove, when he saw a long, grey body
+pass slowly out from amongst the weeds, and woke to the fact that there
+were sharks in those waters, this creature being fourteen or fifteen
+feet long.
+
+He shuddered at the sight, and thought of the helplessness of any diver
+if one of these monsters attacked him.  He raised his face to breathe,
+and then looked down again, to see the monster part a bed of seaweed,
+and as it did so his past troubles were forgotten in the thrill of
+delight he felt: for Oakum was certainly right as to the wreck.  As the
+shark glided slowly on, it parted the weeds more and more, leaving bare,
+plainly to be seen, what looked like a stump standing out of the sand,
+but which his experienced eye knew at once to be one of the ribs of a
+ship, black with age where it was not grey with barnacles and other
+shells.
+
+He rose from the water again, with his face dripping, inhaled a long
+breath, and once more softly stooped and peered down into the clear,
+ambient depths, where the waving seaweed and multitudinous growths
+seemed ever changing their colours as they waved gently in the current.
+
+The weed parted by the shark had closed up together once more, and not a
+vestige seemed left of the piece of wreck wood; in fact, it might have
+been a dream, only that close by where he had seen it before,
+half-hidden in the weed, lay the shark, its long, unequal-lobed tail
+waving slightly to and fro a few moments, and then the monster was
+perfectly still--so quiet that the sharpest eye would have passed it
+unnoticed, so exactly was its back in hue like the sand upon which it
+lay.
+
+But Dutch knew, dreamer as he had been, that this was no piece of
+imagination; and taking the tube once more, and recalling the peculiar
+bend of the piece of timber, he began again to examine the bottom,
+especially the portion that lay in the shadow cast by the schooner's
+hull.  According to the bend of the timber, he knew that the wreck, if
+wreck it belonged to, must be lying in the opposite direction to the
+schooner; and, tracing its imaginary shape, he concluded that there must
+be a succession of ribs embedded in the sand, though not visible in the
+lines he marked out with his eye.
+
+And so it seemed, for as he looked he could make out that the weeds lay
+in thick clusters in the position they should occupy if they were
+attached to the timbers of an old ship.  Huge corals were there as well,
+forming quite a submarine forest, but evidently they took the form of a
+ship where they were most dense; and, to Dutch's great surprise, the
+vessel must have been one of nearly double the size of the schooner.
+
+"See anything?" said Mr Parkley, as the young man rose for a few
+minutes and wiped his brow.
+
+"Yes," said Dutch, bluntly.  "Shark!"
+
+"Ah, there are plenty, no doubt," said Mr Parkley.
+
+But Dutch did not hear him, for he was once more eagerly trying to trace
+out in the weeds the shape of the old galleon.
+
+Yes, there it was, undoubtedly; and, to make assurance doubly sure,
+another shark slowly glided out, about thirty feet to the left of where
+Dutch saw the first, setting the weeds in motion, and displaying, black
+and grey with encrustations, three more of the nearly buried ribs of an
+old ship.
+
+With this help to locality, he could now make out plainly where the
+galleon lay, and see that she must have been nearly a hundred feet long,
+and that her stem had struck on the mass of rocks described as those off
+which 'Pollo had dived; while her stern lay off behind the boat in the
+dense forest of sea growth.  And as Dutch looked on he became more and
+more aware of the fact that there were watchers over the treasure--if
+treasure there was--in the shape of sharks.  He had already seen two,
+and now, dimly visible in their lairs, lay no less than five more, of
+which he could just make out a fin of one, the snout of another, the
+tail of another, and so on, one gliding slowly out into the sunshine,
+turning right over so as to show its white belly and great teeth-armed
+jaws, before dashing after a shoal of bright-coloured fish which had
+tempted him from his lair.
+
+So powerful were the strokes of the monster's tail that the water was
+all of a quiver, and the long strands of the seaweed waved and undulated
+to and fro, displaying here and there more blackened stumps, and showing
+how possible it was for anyone to sail a boat over the wreck a hundred
+times without catching a glimpse or dreaming of its existence.
+
+"Well," said Mr Parkley, "when you're tired of shark-gazing, we may as
+well go on board."
+
+There was only one man of the crew looking over the side now, and that
+was the mulatto, who, with half-closed eyes, lazily watched their
+actions; the others, finding the business uninteresting, having
+adjourned to the shade.
+
+"I'm ready to go on board," said Dutch, quietly.  "When shall we begin
+work?"
+
+"Oh, at once.  Let's ask Studwick to weigh anchor, and try one of the
+other places.  Ah, my lad, I'm afraid I let my anger get the better of
+my judgment.  We shall do nothing without the cursed Cuban."
+
+"Think not?" said Dutch, with a smile.
+
+"I am sure of it," said Mr Parkley.  "How can we hunt over the whole of
+this sea?  It would be madness."
+
+"I meant get to work with the apparatus," said Dutch, smiling.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" said Mr Parkley, impatiently.
+
+"At your despondency," replied Dutch.  "Old Oakum was right.  The
+schooner's lying right athwart the galleon."
+
+"What!" cried Mr Parkley, excitedly.  "Nonsense!--you are half-mad."
+
+"Over some things, perhaps," said Dutch, gloomily; "but sane enough over
+this.  Mind, I don't say that there is any treasure there, but the old
+fellow has anchored us right across an old wreck."
+
+"Give me that tube," cried Mr Parkley, and he thrust it down into the
+water excitedly, looking in all directions.
+
+"There's nothing there," he cried.  "I examined that place before."
+
+"But it did not occur to us that the weeds had grown up and hidden the
+timbers.  Now you watch that clump lying just under the schooner's keel.
+Do you see what I mean?"
+
+"Yes, I see."
+
+"Then keep your eye upon it," said Dutch, as he crept softly to the bows
+of the jolly-boat, and, taking one of half-a-dozen great boulders that
+were used for ballast, he heaved it overboard with a good splash, and
+then watched its effects.
+
+As he expected, from half-a-dozen weed masses out darted as many sharks,
+to make a dash at the stone as it descended rapidly through the clear
+water, and first one and then another turned over to show its white
+under-parts before going away sulkily and in disgust.
+
+"Well, what did you see?" said Dutch.
+
+"Sharks!  Ugh, the beasts!" exclaimed Mr Parkley, with a shudder.
+
+"What else?"
+
+"Rough stumps of timber amongst the weeds."
+
+"Timbers of the old galleon, no doubt, preserved by the shelly
+concretions that have formed upon them and held them together."
+
+"But it's impossible, my dear boy.  No man dare go down there; the
+sharks would rend him limb from limb.  Who could go down?"
+
+"I shall, for one," said Dutch, calmly.  "So now let's get on board."
+
+They climbed the side, and, as the news of their discovery spread
+through the ship, the excitement became great.  Rasp began to bring up
+helmets and leaden weights, and ordered a couple of the men to come and
+assist with the air-pump, which had to be got up from below.
+
+"But, my dear Dutch," exclaimed Mr Parkley, in despair, "it is
+impossible--no one can go down."
+
+"Not at present," said Dutch, smiling, as he looked round and saw that
+nearly everybody was gazing over the side.  "Perhaps, when I have set
+the example, Rasp will not mind following it."
+
+"But the sharks, my dear boy--they would tear you to pieces."
+
+"Let them, if they can," said Dutch, grimly.  "I'm not going to be
+deterred from the search by a few sharks.  And if, as you say, I was
+torn to pieces," he added, bitterly, "what then?"
+
+"I tell you I shall not let you risk your life," said Mr Parkley,
+firmly.
+
+"And I tell you I shall go down.  If anything happens--"
+
+"That sweet little woman will be a widow," said Mr Parkley.
+
+"And who would care?" said Dutch, bitterly.  "My dear Mr Parkley, we
+are anchored over the treasure, and sharks or no sharks, torn to pieces
+or left alone, I go down--Hester!"
+
+He started and turned sharply round, just in time to catch the fainting
+woman as she was falling senseless on the deck.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+PEPPER FOR THE SHARKS.
+
+Dutch felt a pang at his heart as he raised and carried the fainting
+woman below--Bessy Studwick joining him as he laid her on the little
+couch in the cabin; and he was about to leave her in the latter's care,
+when she began to revive, and called him by name.
+
+For a moment he was about to run to her, but the old and bitter
+suspicions hardened his heart, and he turned away.
+
+"Oh," exclaimed Bessy Studwick, bitterly, "if he had been my husband,
+and behaved to me like that!"
+
+"Pray, hush!" said Hester, feebly.
+
+"I can't," exclaimed Bessy, clasping the weeping woman in her arms.  "I
+know you must have felt horribly jealous of me once, dear, and I really
+did of you; but as for Dutch Pugh now, I absolutely hate him, and I'm
+sure you must ever so much more."
+
+"I never loved him so dearly as I do now," sighed Hester.  "Some day he
+will believe in me again."
+
+She covered her face with her hands, and thought of her little adventure
+upon the deck, one which puzzled as well as alarmed her; and once or
+twice she was on the point of confiding in Bessy, but the thoughts of
+her husband's peril drove others away, and, making an effort, she rose
+to go on deck again.
+
+"I'm sure you are not fit to go on deck," exclaimed Bessy, trying to
+restrain her.
+
+"Yes," she said, gently.  "I am better now, and I could not bear to stay
+here if he is in danger."
+
+Feeling that it would only cause an extra strain on nerves already
+weakened, Bessy made no further opposition, but accompanied Hester on
+deck, where a bustle of preparation was going on, the captain and doctor
+both working in subordination to Dutch and Mr Parkley.  The air-pump
+was being fixed in a convenient spot, diving suits were in readiness for
+use, and tubes coiled in great snake-like rings.  With an oily rag in
+his hand, and his cheeks blown out with importance, Rasp was fussing
+about and giving a touch here and a touch there; while no less
+important, and evidently feeling as if his task were done, Oakum sat on
+a coil of rope, chewing his tobacco, and looking on.
+
+But to Hester's great relief the diving apparatus was not yet going to
+be put in use.  For Dutch, Mr Parkley, and the doctor were busy at work
+with sundry jars, wires, and plates.  In fact, they were placing a
+galvanic battery ready for action, and making some mysterious
+preparations that the sailors did not understand.
+
+There was a small white canister, too, over which the doctor kept guard,
+ordering back any of the sailors that approached.
+
+At last, when the battery was ready, and emitting a low, hissing noise
+from the zinc and platina plates immersed in a solution, a long coil of
+thin wire was unwound and attached to the little white canister.
+
+"For heaven's sake be careful, Dutch!" said Mr Parkley, who had
+performed the latter operation.  "Don't connect the wire till I give the
+word."
+
+"Don't be alarmed," said Dutch, quietly, as he held the other end in his
+hand.  "I shall be careful."
+
+"But I am alarmed," said Mr Parkley to himself.  "He thinks life of no
+more value than the snuff of a candle, and I want to live as long as I
+can."
+
+"Now, are you nearly ready?" said the captain, who came up, followed by
+'Pollo grinning, and having on a tin three great pieces of beef.
+
+"Yes, quite ready," said Dutch.
+
+"Bring the meat here," exclaimed Mr Parkley; and, choosing the largest
+piece, he half cut it in two, placed the white canister in the opening,
+and bound the meat round it firmly with a fresh piece of wire.
+
+"Am dat mustard, sah?" said 'Pollo, with his eyes wide open.
+
+"No, 'Pollo, it's pepper--pepper for the sharks," said Mr Parkley,
+smiling.
+
+"Ho!" said 'Pollo thoughtfully.  "I no see de good to gib de shark
+pepper, sah."
+
+"Wait a minute and you will, 'Pollo," said the captain, smiling.
+
+"All ready now," said Mr Parkley.  "Every one stand back."
+
+The crew shrank away, some of the men, though, climbing the rigging to
+get a good view of the proceedings, and John Studwick being helped into
+a sure position in the main chains.  Then one of the pieces of coarse
+beef was taken and jerked out half-a-dozen yards from the ship.
+
+As it struck the water and began to sink there was a rush and commotion
+as dark-grey forms and white streaks seemed to rise from below.  The
+water bubbled and foamed, and the lump of beef was seized, torn asunder,
+and two huge sharks gorged the pieces, and then could be seen swimming
+backwards and forwards, and round and round, in company with others.
+
+"Cut the next up into small bits, 'Pollo," said the captain, who was
+standing on the bulwarks, holding on by the main shrouds.
+
+"Yes, sah, I cut um small and easy for mass' shark 'gestion," said
+'Pollo grinning; and he cut the beef into pieces of the size of his fist
+with the large cook's knife he wore in a sheath at his belt.
+
+As he passed them up the captain threw them to the hungry sharks, each
+piece being snapped up by one or the other, as the monsters, not
+disdaining such morsels, turned half over and gorged each fragment as it
+fell.
+
+No less than seven could now be counted, all evidently made more savage
+and eager by the taste of meat, and ready to leap out of the water as
+they glided one over the other in a space not many yards square, where
+the water was still impregnated with the odour and juices of the beef.
+
+"That will do for them now," cried Mr Parkley, mounting beside the
+captain with the lump of beef bound round the can in his lingers,
+holding it in one hand, whilst with the other he took a good grip of one
+of the rattlins.
+
+"Are you ready, Pugh?"
+
+"Yes," was the reply.
+
+"Is the wire all clear for a run?"
+
+"Yes, perfectly.  Stand back, man," cried Dutch, as the mulatto stood
+eagerly watching what was done.
+
+"Then I shall throw it into the midst of them, and when I cry _now_,
+make the connection--not before."
+
+"I understand," said Dutch.
+
+"One moment," said the captain; "will it endanger the ship?"
+
+"No," said Mr Parkley, "because it will be too far away, and too deep.
+It will rock her, of course."
+
+"All right," said Captain Studwick, nodding his head; and, giving the
+beef a swing to and fro, Mr Parkley launched it through the air, so
+that it fell with a heavy splash some fifty feet from the schooner, and
+began to sink rapidly.
+
+There was a tremendous swirl in the clear water directly, as the sharks
+dashed at it, going over one another like dogs in their eagerness to be
+first, for this was a piece of fourteen or fifteen pounds weight.
+
+The next moment they were tearing at it, but baffled somewhat by the
+strong wire binding, while it sank rapidly, and the thin copper wire,
+that had fallen on the smooth surface like a line of light, ran rapidly
+over the side.
+
+"_Now_," cried Mr Parkley loudly.
+
+As the word left his lips, Dutch applied the other end of the wire to
+the galvanic battery, an invisible spark darted along the thin copper to
+the case of dynamite; there was a dull rumble; the ship shivered as if
+struck by some heavy blow; a column of water rose in the air and sank
+back; and the schooner rolled from side to side as a large wave lifted
+her, let her down, and then rushed onward over the rocks to the shore,
+running up the sands in a line of foam, and laving the trunks of the
+palms beyond the narrow strip.
+
+The men clung to the bulwarks, looking startled, but seeing that the
+danger was over, they uttered a loud cheer, for as the water subsided
+the clear limpidity was gone--sand, blood, fragments of weed and flesh,
+all combined to make it murky; and, what set the men off cheering again,
+there were the bodies of the seven sharks, four of them in scraps, the
+other three apparently uninjured, but floating back downwards quite
+dead, and with the foul pieces gliding slowly off with the hardly
+perceptible current.
+
+"Well, I confess, Dutch, I should never have thought of that," exclaimed
+Mr Parkley.  "It was a good idea."
+
+"So the men seem to think," said the captain, as a couple slipped down
+into the jolly-boat, and, sculling it about, secured about a couple of
+dozen large fish that had also been killed by the dynamite.  "But that
+was too near the schooner for safety: a shock or two like that would
+shake the masts out of her hull."
+
+"It was more powerful than I expected," said Dutch.  "We will fire the
+next from the boat with a good length of wire, and the schooner must be
+fifty or a hundred yards away."
+
+"But you will not fire another unless you are troubled with sharks?"
+queried the captain.
+
+"I intend to fire a canister exactly beneath where we stand," said
+Dutch, "so as to sweep away the growth and sand and shingle that have
+been accumulating for the last two hundred years.  One of those charges
+will do more in an instant than the men could do under water in a week."
+
+He raised his eyes as he spoke, and found that the mulatto was listening
+intently to every word, but with his eyes half-closed and a bitter look
+upon his face.
+
+By this time the water was fast growing clear, and the change beneath
+the schooner was remarkable.  The canister of dynamite must have sunk
+nearly to the bottom before it was exploded, and so great was the
+lateral sweep of the concussion that the seaweed seemed to have been
+levelled down in one direction, like a plantation after the passage of a
+hurricane; and grim and stark stood up now a series of dark stumps, the
+relics of the timbers of the ill-fated Spanish galleon, if such it
+really proved to be.  Some of these were black and nearly level with the
+sand; some were worn to a point by the attrition of the current; but
+there, plainly enough now, could be traced out in timbers the shape of
+the vessel; but not for long, since the weed began once more to float
+into its normal position; but enough was known now, and Oakum took a
+fresh plug of tobacco as he said to Rasp--
+
+"There, old 'un, your work's cut out for some time to come."
+
+No time was lost.  A couple of dynamite canisters were lowered down in
+the most suitable spots where the sand and weed seemed to be thickest,
+and Mr Parkley held one thin coil of wire, and Dutch and another, at
+opposite sides of the schooner, the kedge hawsers were buoyed and
+slipped; and, as the vessel slowly went with the current, the wire was
+payed out till the schooner had swung right round, and was riding by the
+anchor from her bows, and eighty or ninety yards away from the sunken
+wreck.  The wire was sufficiently long to render the use of the boat
+unnecessary, and all being ready the battery was once more brought into
+use, the wires being connected, and this time the water surged up as
+from some volcanic eruption, a great wave ran towards the schooner,
+which rode over it easily, and it passed on towards the shore, washing
+right up again amongst the trees.
+
+The men went to work with a will, getting ropes to the buoys, hauling
+upon them, and gradually working the schooner back, and mooring her in
+her old position; but it was a good hour later before the water was once
+more clear, and they gazed down upon quite a different scene from that
+of the morning.
+
+So effective had been the force of the explosion that sand, weeds, small
+rocks and shingles, had been completely swept away, and lay at a
+distance, while the interior of the old wreck seemed to have been
+scooped right out.
+
+The most careful search with the eye, though, failed to show any traces
+of that which they sought, and as evening was now fast drawing on, any
+further investigations were left till the following day.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+A DISCOVERY.
+
+So far as they had been able to make out, there was no trace of
+inhabitants near the place where the schooner was moored; but the
+adventure was of so important a nature that Captain Studwick felt it his
+duty to keep the most careful watch; and he was not sorry that afternoon
+to yield to the pressing request of Mr Wilson and the doctor to go on
+shore with their guns for a couple of hours' shooting.
+
+"I consent," he said, "on condition that you are back here by nightfall,
+and that you take a couple of the men well-armed with you."
+
+This was agreed to, and the party of four was rowed ashore, Dutch and
+Mr Parkley both declining to accompany them, on the score of fatigue;
+while, though John Studwick longed to be of the party, he felt that he
+was too weak, and watched them from the side, as the boat rowed through
+the sparkling water, landing the party on the golden sands.
+
+As the boat was returning to the side, the longing to go on shore proved
+too strong for John Studwick, and he beckoned his sister to his side.
+
+"Bessy," he said, "I must go and have an hour's walk under those shady
+trees, where the sand seems to be so smooth and soft."
+
+Bessy started, partly at his saddened way of speaking, and partly that
+he, who seemed to hate the very idea of her being anywhere near Mr
+Meldon, should propose to go ashore after him.
+
+"You mean alone?" she said, quickly.
+
+"Alone?  No," he cried, petulantly.  "I mean with you.  Mrs Pugh would
+like to go too, perhaps."
+
+"I will speak to father," she said, eager to please him in every way;
+and she went forward to where Captain Studwick was chatting with Mr
+Parkley and Dutch about the morrow's arrangements.
+
+"John wishes to go ashore, father," she said, "to sit under the trees."
+
+The captain stood thinking for a moment or two, and then, after a little
+hesitation--
+
+"Well," he said, "I see no harm.  The men shall row you ashore, and stop
+there.  Don't go out of sight, nor far from the boat.  I don't think
+there can be any danger, and, poor fellow, he will soon want to be
+back."
+
+By the time Bessy returned to her brother, the keen desire was growing
+blunted, and he felt almost ready to resent what he looked upon as his
+sister's eagerness to get ashore, where the young doctor had gone.
+
+"The boat is waiting, John dear," she said, holding out her hand.  "You
+will go, too, Hester?"
+
+Hester glanced towards Dutch, but he made no sign, and, yielding to
+Bessy's implied wish, she followed them to the boat, Oakum helping them
+down, and receiving his instructions from the captain as to keeping a
+sharp watch.
+
+As the boat pushed off, the men just dipping their oars, and Oakum
+standing up and steering, for the distance was only about fifty yards,
+the captain turned quietly to the mate.
+
+"Lower down the other boat quietly," he said, "and have the rest of the
+men ready to jump in and row ashore at a moment's notice.  Parkley, Mr
+Pugh, I think it is better to be too particular than not particular
+enough, so we will get our revolvers and a rifle or two ready.  Where's
+Mr Pugh?"
+
+"He went to the cabin directly," said Mr Parkley; and on their
+following him they found him loading his rifle, and saw the butt of his
+revolver sticking out of his breast.
+
+"Actuated by the same thought," said the captain.
+
+"Well, yes," said Dutch, "there may be no danger either from beast or
+Indian, but it is as well to be on the safe side."
+
+Taking rifles on deck, they went and leaned over the bulwarks, talking,
+to see the little party land, and Oakum help out the ladies, who walked
+slowly up with John Studwick towards the trees, while the sailors sat
+about close to the boat, or threw themselves down upon the sands.
+
+"We seem to have been suspicious enough over this affair," said the
+captain, taking off his cap, so as to let the soft breeze that was now
+beginning to blow after the heat of the day, fan his brown forehead.  "I
+wonder what has become of the Cuban."
+
+"Home by this time, I should say," replied Mr Parkley, while Dutch,
+with an uneasy feeling creeping over him, leaned there, rifle in hand,
+watching the shore.
+
+"I had my suspicions at first," continued the captain, "and really
+hardly expected to get out here without some hindrance."
+
+"What did you suspect?" said Mr Parkley, lighting a cigar, and handing
+one to the captain, who lit up in turn.
+
+"Anything--nothing.  I had got it into my head that this fellow wanted
+to stop us, and I was prepared to be overhauled by a swift steamer; for
+a mutiny on board; to find him here first--there, it is always the way;
+once give your imagination its head, and away it goes."
+
+"Well, nothing could have gone better than the trip has since we
+started, and if it should prove that there is treasure below us here,
+all we have to do is to dive and get it all."
+
+"If the sharks will let you," said the captain.
+
+"Well, at first I thought we were completely checkmated, but you saw
+what Pugh did to-day," he continued, in a low tone.  "It's my belief
+that if obstacles ten times as difficult offer themselves, he would
+surmount them."
+
+They both glanced at Dutch, and then followed his eyes to see that the
+ladies were gathering flowers, the men fruit and shellfish, and that all
+on shore looked so peaceful and lovely that the longing came upon them
+to join the little party.
+
+"It is so easy to imagine danger," said the captain; and then, lulled by
+the peaceful aspect of matters into security, they went on talking in a
+low tone about the various incidents of the day, while Dutch kept stern
+watch alone.
+
+Meanwhile, John Studwick's jealous fancies passed away as his feet
+touched the sand, and it was with a thrill of delight that he pointed
+towards the lovely tropic scene before him.
+
+"Flowers, fruit, mossy carpet," he said fervently.  "Why, it is really
+Eden--a paradise.  I could live here, I think."
+
+There was an inexpressible sadness in his words, and Bessy's eyes filled
+with tears as she glanced at Hester, for she knew but too well that her
+brother's days were numbered.
+
+Hester's heart was full to overflowing, and these words and her friend's
+sad look had touched the spring ready to gush forth.  It was only by a
+great effort that she could keep from a hysterical fit of crying, and
+she was obliged to turn away.
+
+John Studwick smiled lovingly upon his sister, though, directly after,
+for his heart smote him for many little harsh words directed at her in
+regard to Mr Meldon; and he began to chat earnestly to her about the
+flowers, calling one of the men to get down a cocoanut or two for them,
+and sitting down to watch the man make a gasket or band of twisted cane
+with almost boyish pleasure, Bessy's eyes brightening as she saw his
+eagerness, and remembering the bright happiness of that scene for years
+to come.
+
+For the spot was lovely, and in the shade of the densely foliaged trees
+the wondrous blossoms of gaily tinted bellflowers hung in wreaths and
+garlands as they festooned the undergrowth and offered their nectary
+cups to the humming birds that flashed in and out of the sunshine to
+poise themselves on invisible wings, while each moment some new object
+struck the eye.
+
+It was, indeed, a scene of loveliness to the sick man and his sister as
+they rose and wandered here and there, now gazing into beautiful green
+glades, now looking up at the delicate lacework of some wonderful
+tree-fern against the sky, or toward the deep blue sea, with the
+schooner doubled before them as it lay mirrored in its breast.  But
+bright as it was to them, the beauteous scene was, as it were, covered
+with ashes to Hester Pugh.  The sky might have been dark, and the sun's
+light quenched even as was the light of hope in her breast.  She had
+thought that Dutch would have listened to her before now, and that this
+dreadful cloud of suspicion would have been swept away; but no, he had
+let her come ashore without a word, as if careless of her fate, and at
+last, blind with the gathering tears, she had wandered slowly away
+unnoticed amongst the trees, as she thought, to find some place where
+she could relieve her bursting heart and throbbing brain of the tears
+that she had kept back so long.
+
+She sank down at last upon the trunk of a fallen tree, sobbing as if her
+heart would break, and, as her head sank down upon her hands, she moaned
+in the bitterness of her spirit.
+
+All was silent for a time, and in her grief she did not hear the
+rustling amongst the trees, and it was not until her hands were taken
+and drawn gently from before her face that she looked up, to see, with
+the blood chilling in her veins, the mulatto upon his knees before her,
+gazing with glittering eyes, full in hers.
+
+She was too much surprised and frightened to cry out, but she tried to
+start up and flee.  The effort was vain, though, for, tightening his
+hold of her hands, the man rested his arms upon her knees and kept her a
+prisoner.
+
+"Hush!" he said; "for your own sake be silent."
+
+"Let me go," she panted, hoarsely.
+
+"No, no, beautiful Hester," he whispered, his voice low with passion.
+"Why do you pretend that you do not recognise me, when you know me so
+well?"
+
+"How dare you!" she began, in a loud voice, when the glittering eyes
+fixed upon hers seemed to fascinate her, and her tongue refused its
+office.
+
+"How dare I?" he laughed; "because I love you more than even I loved you
+the first day I saw you in that dark office in miserable, cold England;
+I loved you when, in those dear ecstatic days, I hung over you in your
+little home, when that jealous fool, your husband, interrupted our
+_tete-a-tetes_ with his hateful presence; and now, in this nature's
+paradise, I love you more--more dearly than ever, even though I have
+lived these many weeks only to hear your sweet voice."
+
+"Laure!" she panted, with dilating eyes.
+
+"Yes, Laure, your Manuel, who loves you," he whispered, his face now
+transformed, and the dull, drooping look of the mulatto gone, to give
+place to the flashing eyes of the Cuban.  "Pish! you have known me all
+along.  You are the only one that my disguise could not deceive.  I
+might have known that no darkened skin, no false scar, no assumed limp
+or cunning disguise could deceive the woman I love and who loves me."
+
+Hester struggled once more to rise, but she was powerless in his grasp,
+and in the horror she felt at the discovery of this man's presence she
+could not cry for help.  It was to her like some terrible nightmare;
+there were the voices on the sands, help was so near, and yet she could
+not claim it.
+
+"I was afraid that you would betray me at first, dearest," he whispered,
+with his face close to hers, and his hot breath fanning her cheeks; "but
+I need not have feared, and I waited and suffered.  There, do not
+struggle, little one, you are so safe with me.  Have I not watched him
+and his cold, brutal cruelty to you--the way he has neglected, scorned
+one who is to me all that is bright and beautiful, and for whose sake I
+have hacked and disguised myself, working with a set of coarse sailors,
+eating their wretched fare, sleeping in their miserable den.  Hester,
+beautiful Hester, but you will reward me for all this.  You will live
+with me here in one of these beauteous sunny lands, where all is bright,
+and where the very air breathes love."
+
+"Let me go," she panted.
+
+"No, no," he whispered, "you cannot be so cruel.  Only a short time now
+and the object of my mission is over, and then--then--Oh, my darling, I
+love you--I love you."
+
+He clasped her in his arms, and, in spite of her struggles, his lips
+sought hers, when the sound of approaching voices made him start up.
+
+Hester's lips moved to shriek for help, but he laid his hand quickly
+upon her mouth, and held her tightly to him, as he whispered:
+
+"One word--say a word of what has passed, and Pugh, perhaps all your
+friends will die."
+
+She glanced at him and shuddered, as she saw his hand go into his
+breast, and read in his eyes too plainly so fell a purpose, that she
+knew she dared not speak.
+
+"Sit down," he whispered.  "I shall be watching you from close at hand.
+If you betray me, it is some one's death signal.  You are mine, Hester;
+you know I love you; but I would not force that love when I know that
+soon it must be mine."
+
+He pressed her back into her seat, and glided into the low bushes, her
+eyes following till she saw him crouch, and knew that he had his gaze
+fixed upon her face, and read it, so that if she attempted to betray him
+he might keep his word.
+
+The horror was more than she could bear, for this discovery taught her
+of the danger to Dutch, perhaps to all on board.  Partly from his
+passion for her, then, partly to watch the proceedings of the
+adventurers, he had contrived to get on board, and was undiscovered.
+Here, then, was the secret of what she had looked upon as an insult from
+a half-savage sailor.
+
+She let her pale face fall again into her hands, and sat there
+shivering, not daring even to answer, though she heard Bessy's voice
+close at hand.
+
+What should she do?  What should she do?  She dared not speak now, but
+as soon as they were safe on board she would warn Dutch of his danger,
+and if the Cuban slew her, what then?  She would have saved her
+husband's dear life.
+
+But if he killed Dutch instead!
+
+The thought paralysed her, and a death-like perspiration broke out on
+her forehead as she felt that she dared not speak lest ill should happen
+to him she loved.  She essayed to rise, but sank back trembling, with
+her eyes fixed upon the spot where she knew the Cuban was hidden, when
+Bessy came in sight.
+
+"Why, you've been crying, dear," she said, gaily, as she sat down beside
+her on the tree trunk.  "Come, come, dear, be a woman.  All will come
+right if we wait."
+
+"All will come right if we wait," muttered Hester to herself.  Would it?
+Ought she to wait and trust, or should she warn Dutch?
+
+"Yes, she would," she said to herself, as soon as they were on board;
+and, rising, she accompanied Bessy on to the beach, where the first
+person on whom her eyes lit was the Cuban, with drooping eyelids,
+limping slowly along with some shellfish in his hand, so changed once
+more that Hester asked herself whether this scene had indeed been the
+nightmare of some dream.
+
+A shout came now from the schooner, and they moved towards the boat, for
+the sun was beginning to dip, when another shout from behind made them
+turn, to see Mr Wilson, Mr Meldon, and the two sailors coming from
+their expedition, laden with beautifully-plumaged birds.
+
+They were soon on board once more, Hester sick at heart, for the Cuban
+had contrived to whisper to her that one word, "Remember!" and she had
+shrunk away shivering, feeling that she dared not speak.  So great was
+this man's influence over her that she spent the evening in torture,
+feeling that his eyes were following her everywhere, that his face was
+at her cabin window, at the skylight; and she was in both instances
+right, for Laure felt that she might betray him at any moment, and his
+plans were not yet ripe.
+
+He watched, then, without intermission, with the intent of forcing her
+to swear some terrible oath that she would be silent, and this he felt
+that he could exact from her could he get the chance.
+
+"I shall begin to think that you are going to have some relapse,
+Hester," said Bessy at last, as they sat alone, trying to read by the
+light in their little cabin, for John Studwick had gone to rest, and
+Bessy was sitting with Hester alone.
+
+"Oh, no," she exclaimed, with a smile, "I am quite well."
+
+"But you have been acting so strangely, and starting as you looked up at
+the skylight.  Surely you have not caught some terrible fever through
+sitting in that bit of jungle."
+
+"Oh, no; I am quite well," said Hester, making an effort to control her
+feelings.  "The heat, perhaps, makes me nervous."
+
+"I know," said Bessy, "you are nervous about your husband going down
+to-morrow."
+
+"Yes, yes, I am," cried Hester.  "I always fear when I know of his
+taking the work in hand himself.  He is so venturesome."
+
+"I wish he would be a little more kind.  There, I'll say no more.
+Good-night.  He has the watch to-night on deck--the first watch."
+
+"Has he?"
+
+"Yes; and if he were my husband I should go to him and ask him if this
+wicked estrangement was to last, because, if so, it should last for
+ever, for I would never make another advance to him."
+
+"Are you sure he has the watch to-night?"
+
+"Yes," said Bessy, kissing her; "and it's as dark as pitch on deck.
+Shall I go with you, dear?"
+
+"No, no," whispered Hester, eagerly, as her heart began to throb.
+"Good-night, good-night."
+
+"But where are you going?" said Bessy, playfully.
+
+"I am going to speak to my husband," said Hester, whose face was as
+white as ashes, but her voice very firm, for the strength that she had
+prayed for seemed to have come at last, and she felt that at any hazard
+she must go and tell Dutch of the impending danger to them both.  For it
+was evident from the Cuban's words, as much as from his presence, that
+he held some deep design on hand, and perhaps she might be saving others
+as well as her husband by the step she was about to take.
+
+But he had said that he would kill Dutch if she betrayed him, and her
+heart seemed to stand still at the horrible thought.  But no--Dutch was
+so strong and brave, and he would seize this villain, and, by taking
+rapid action, secure safety to himself, perhaps to the ship as well.
+
+"You had better let me go too," said Bessy, smiling.
+
+"No, no," said Hester, shaking her head; "stop here.  I shall be back
+almost directly."
+
+"I am not so sure," said Bessy, laughing.  "There, dear, all happiness
+come of your meeting.  You will find him right forward, I think."
+
+Hester took a step towards the door, and then realised how weak she was,
+for she trembled and felt as if she should drop.  But this was no time
+for hesitation, and she came back to say farewell.
+
+"Put out the light or turn it down.  I do not want any one to see me go
+on deck."
+
+Bessy smiled, and turned down the lamp until it was almost out; and
+then, opening the door gently, Hester stepped to the foot of the cabin
+stairs, where, as she laid her hand upon the cold brass rail, the
+trembling fit again seized her, for her heart whispered that Laure
+should be watching her.
+
+She recovered herself directly and ascended the cabin stairs, leaving
+the deep voices of the captain and the others talking behind her; and as
+she went on her courage seemed to increase, and whispering to herself
+that it was to save him she loved, she stepped cautiously upon the deck.
+
+All was perfectly silent, and the darkness was intense, save ashore,
+where the fireflies glanced and played in scintillations amongst the
+trees.  She turned from them with a shudder, for it reminded her of the
+evening's encounter, and, trying to make out where her husband was
+watching, she went cautiously on, for there was not a sound to be heard.
+
+The distance was very short, but she had to go to the side so as to
+avoid the masts and deckhouse, beyond which she felt that Dutch would be
+standing, and she had already reached the mainmast, when she heard a
+slight cough, which she knew to have been uttered by Dutch.
+
+"He will believe me and love me again," she said to herself, with her
+heart beginning to throb with joy, "and I shall save him from some
+dreadful death--save myself too, from that wretch."
+
+As these words were pronounced silently by her lips a chill of horror
+and a curse made her cower shivering back as something dark rose before
+her, an arm was passed tightly round her quivering form, and a damp,
+cold hand laid upon her mouth checked the shriek with which she was
+about to pierce the darkness of the night.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+THE SHADOW DARKENED.
+
+In the horror of those moments Hester Pugh felt nerveless, and after the
+first spasmodic attempt to shriek there was no necessity for the hand
+pressed so tightly over her lips as she was lifted by a strong arm and
+carried back a few paces, and then held firmly against the bulwarks.
+
+The next moment, as with starting eyes she gazed wildly about in search
+of help, her captor's lips were placed close to her, and words that
+seemed to scorch her brain were hissed into her ear.
+
+"Have I not warned you sufficiently?  But for the intense love I bear
+you, this moment would be your last.  One plunge, and it would be
+impossible to save you in this darkness, and no one would realise who
+did the deed.  Do you wish me to make use of the knowledge I gained
+to-day with those dynamite experiments; because, listen, I have not
+looked on in vain.  One touch of a wire--one that I have laid--and this
+ship and all on board would be in fragments.  That would have happened
+if you had gone forward to-night and betrayed me.  Once more, listen; it
+is useless for you to fight against your fate, for I am not alone here;
+and when I cease watching you others take up the task.  There.  See, I
+release and trust you after what I have said."
+
+He took his hand from the trembling woman's lips, but grasped her
+tightly still, lest she should sink down fainting.
+
+"Now return quietly to your cabin," he continued, "and remember this.
+You think to save Dutch Pugh and the rest by betraying me.  Instead of
+that you will send them to their death.  Now go back without a sound."
+
+Hester felt her arm released, and that she was free.  Her first wild
+thought was to run forward, shrieking for help; her next that Laure
+would keep his word, and, controlling herself she tottered with
+outstretched hands back to the cabin stairs, and reached the little
+cabin where Bessy was already asleep, and then, sinking on her knees,
+prayed for help in this time of need.
+
+That night of agony seemed as if it would never pass away, for Hester
+crouched there sleepless and watching, starting at every sound, and
+trembling lest the Cuban should be already putting some diabolical
+scheme into action.  At length the day broke, and quite exhausted she
+sank into a troubled slumber, from which she awoke affrighted with the
+feeling upon her that Laure was bending down trying to read her face and
+tell whether she was going to warn her husband or not.
+
+A smile of relief crossed her lips, though, as she saw that it was Bessy
+Studwick, and she listened calmly to her chidings, but refused to go to
+bed.
+
+"It was so foolish," said Bessy, "to sit there the night through.  It is
+not the way to grow strong."
+
+From the noise on deck it was evident that preparations for diving were
+rapidly going on, and now another dread assailed Hester.  She felt sure
+that Dutch would be one of the first to go down, and she shuddered as
+she thought of the sharks, and determined to make an effort to dissuade
+him.
+
+She was on the point of going on deck when Laure's words stayed her.
+She was watched, and if she tried to communicate with her husband might
+he not interpret it as an attempt to betray him, and in an instant
+compass his destruction.
+
+"If I only knew what to do?" she moaned.  "If I could but warn him of
+the danger they might seize that villain in time.  I will warn him at
+all hazards."
+
+She was ready to die to save Dutch from peril, but she was so
+circumstanced that her warning would compass his destruction, and she
+sank back feeling at last that she could not betray what she knew.
+
+For the moment she was reassured by hearing Dutch's voice, and directly
+after Bessy came to fetch her into the cabin to breakfast, where all
+save she were in high spirits, no one having a suspicion of the danger
+that threatened them.  The talk was all of the treasure, and the
+specimen ingots that Laure had shown them were mentioned, while to
+Hester's horror she found that the Cuban was apparently forgotten.
+
+It soon became evident to her that all the preparations had been made,
+and she followed the actors in the busy scene to be enacted on deck as
+soon as the hurried meal was at an end.
+
+Dutch had glanced at her once, and her heart throbbed with pleasure as
+she read his look as one more of sorrow than anger, and this last
+determined her to speak to him at all hazards.
+
+The air-pump was ready, with Rasp dictating and ordering the men about;
+and had Hester felt any hesitation before, the sight of Dutch drawing on
+the heavy india-rubber suit determined her to act.
+
+"I don't think their teeth would go through this," he said coolly to Mr
+Parkley, "if they come; but we'll do what we said, and that will keep
+them off."
+
+He went on with his preparations, and twice over, as she saw him nearing
+readiness, Hester approached, but, each time on glancing round, she saw
+that the Cuban had his eyes fixed upon her, and she shrank away.
+
+At last, however, Dutch was ready, all but having the great copper
+diving-helmet screwed on.  A stout leather belt was round his waist,
+heavy leaden-soled boots upon his feet; square weights of lead hung from
+the copper gorget round his neck and breast and back; the long tube was
+attached to helmet and air-pump, and a keen handy axe and a long sharp
+double-edged knife lay ready for placing in his belt, side by side with
+a heavy iron bar.
+
+A stout wooden ladder, in joints, had been fitted together and secured
+to the gangway, its foot being within a few inches of the sand that lay
+in the midst of the sunken wreck, which, seen through the clear water,
+seemed, although five fathoms down, but a very little distance from the
+keel of the schooner.
+
+There too was the signalling rope ready for placing round the diver; and
+to make the preparations more complete, the galvanic battery was
+charged, and half-a-dozen little dynamite cartridges, attached to as
+many thin wires, lay ready for hurling in the direction of any
+approaching shark and exploding in the water.  This, it was considered,
+might kill it, but would certainly scare it away, while the size was not
+large enough to injure the diver, protected by his helmet.  A careful
+investigation had resulted in not one of the monsters being seen, and
+all hoped that the explosions of the previous day had killed and scared
+all that they need fear for the present.
+
+Very good theories all these, but those on board forgot that a good deal
+of refuse food was thrown overboard by 'Pollo every now and then, and
+that this floated away slowly on the current, and might act as an
+attraction to the fish some distance away.
+
+The air-pump was tried, and proved, thanks to Rasp, in excellent
+condition.  Such of the crew as were not to work at the pump were in
+good places for observation, partly to satisfy their own curiosity, for
+the novelty of the coming experiment quite excited them, partly to keep
+watch for sharks and give ample warning; while a portion of the deck was
+marked off, where the apparatus was placed, and no one but those at work
+was allowed to pass the ropes.  Here Rasp had arranged his coils with
+mathematical exactness; the rope for signalling was as carefully
+arranged, and men stationed at the pump, to the use of which he had
+drilled them; and in addition a stouter coil with a spring hook was
+ready, the spring being held in Rasp's hand.
+
+"I think you had better have it attached, Pugh," said Mr Parkley.
+
+"Nonsense!" replied Dutch, smiling; and as his countenance lit up Hester
+thought he had never looked so true and brave before.  "Why, anyone
+would think I was a novice, who had never been down."
+
+"'Taint that, Mr Pug," said Rasp, "it's on account of those long-nosed
+sharks.  You just have it on, and if we sees one o' the warmint coming
+we'll haul you up in a way such as'll startle him."
+
+"I'm not afraid of the sharks," said Dutch, taking up and feeling the
+point of the great dagger-like knife.  "A man can but the once."
+
+"My dear Pugh," exclaimed Mr Parkley, "don't talk in that cynical way.
+Of course, a man can only die once; but do you think I want to go to the
+end of my days feeling that I had murdered you by my neglect.  My dear
+boy, I would not exchange your life for twenty sunken ship-loads of
+treasure."
+
+"Thank you, Parkley," said Dutch, taking and wringing his hand, "I
+believe you."
+
+"Then, come, you will have the rope attached?"
+
+"No, no, it will only be in the way."
+
+"My dear fellow, it will not.  It is not as if you were going down the
+hold of a ship.  All is clear; there is not even a rock in your way,
+only a few upright ribs that you can easily avoid."
+
+"But it is such a childlike preparation," said Dutch, petulantly.
+"Here, give me the helmet, Rasp."
+
+"Yah, you allus was as obstinate as a mule, Mr Pug," said the old
+fellow, handing the great casque with its barred visor.  "If you don't
+have the rope, I won't give you a good supply of wind--there!"
+
+"I'm not afraid of that, Rasp," said Dutch, laughing; and then, as he
+stood with the helmet on his arm, he turned cold and stern again, for he
+saw Hester approach, and as she did so the others involuntarily drew
+away.
+
+"What is it?" he said, coldly.
+
+"Dutch," she whispered, as she laid her hands upon his shoulders, "your
+true, faithful wife, who has never wronged you in thought or deed,
+implores you to take the precaution they ask."
+
+"Pish!" he exclaimed, contemptuously.
+
+"You do not believe me, dear," she continued, with the tears streaming
+down her cheeks; "but God is my judge that I speak the truth.  Oh,
+Dutch, Dutch!" she continued, as she saw his face begin to work, "some
+day you will know all, and your heart will bleed for the agony you have
+caused me."
+
+"Hester," he said, in the same low tone, "I'd give twenty years of my
+life to have back the same old trust in you, but it is gone, gone for
+ever."
+
+"No," she replied, with a bright look beaming in her face, "it is not:
+the truth is coming--coming soon, and when it does, Dutch, you will come
+back to my heart with the knowledge that your little wife has forgiven
+you your injustice from the first, that she loves you more dearly than
+ever."
+
+"You forgive me?" he said bitterly.
+
+"Yes, the wrong you have done me, Dutch.  You have nothing to forgive me
+but for keeping my secret for your sake."
+
+There was such an air of candour and truth in her countenance that had
+they been alone he would have clutched her to his breast, but he knew
+that they were watched by many eyes, and restraining himself he said
+quietly:
+
+"It is enough now.  Tell me this--will you--when I return--"
+
+"You're a-going to have on that rope, ain't you, Mr Dutch?" said Rasp,
+interrupting them.
+
+"Yes.  You can get it ready," replied Dutch.
+
+"God bless you for that," whispered Hester earnestly.
+
+"Now, go back," he said quietly; "there must be no scene here.  You need
+not be afraid for me; I shall incur no risks now, in the hope that, as
+you say, you can make all clear between us.  You will explain all--
+everything to me when I come up."
+
+With a wild look of delight she was about to say yes, when she quailed
+and shrank away, for at a little distance behind Dutch she saw Laure
+apparently busy arranging the rope there around the deck, but evidently
+hearing all that was said.
+
+"You promise?" said Dutch sternly.
+
+"Spare me, oh, my darling," she moaned.  "I dare not--oh I dare not
+speak."
+
+"What," he whispered, "is this your truth?"
+
+"It is for your sake," she moaned, "for your sake," and with drooping
+head she crept away.
+
+"Come, come, little woman," said Mr Parkley, taking her hand; "be firm,
+be firm; he shall not come to harm."
+
+"Not he, mum, while old Tom Rasp is alive to help," growled the old
+fellow.
+
+"Perhaps you'd better go below, my dear," said Mr Parkley.
+
+"No," said Hester firmly, and drawing herself up; "I shall stay."
+
+"Then you shall, my dear; but," he added, with a smile, "woman for ever!
+You've won the day: he's going to have the life-rope."
+
+The old doubts, which had been growing fainter and which would, no
+doubt, have been entirely swept away by an explanation, came back more
+strongly again at Hester's refusal, and with a feeling of rage and
+bitterness Dutch raised the helmet, placed it upon his head, and signed
+to old Rasp to come and screw it on.
+
+This the old fellow did after securing the extra life-line to his belt,
+but not before Dutch had had a few words with Mr Parkley as to the
+management of the dynamite and wires.
+
+The men on the look-out could see no sharks, all being apparently quite
+clear, and at last, when with hatchet and knife in his belt, and the
+wheel of the air-pump beginning to clank, Dutch moved towards the
+gangway, trailing after him the long india-rubber tube, there was a loud
+cheer, and everyone leaned forward in eager excitement.
+
+"Now to solve the problem, Studwick," said Mr Parkley, who was
+evidently excited, and who dabbed his face to get rid of the dripping
+perspiration.  "Is it to be luck or ill-luck?"
+
+"That I'll tell you by-and-by," said the captain, smiling; and like Mr
+Wilson and the doctor, he stood up on the bulwarks to help to keep a
+good lookout for sharks.
+
+"Now look here, Mr Parkley," said Rasp, who had assumed the management,
+and dictated as if everything belonged to him, "just you place Mr Jones
+the mate, here with three men to let that there life-line run softly
+through their hands when it's pulled, and to heave in the slack when it
+isn't; but when I give the word they're to run it in with all their
+might--take hold of it, you know, and run along the deck."
+
+Hester Pugh's breath caught, as now, with dilating eyes, she watched her
+husband, who, as calmly as possible, stepped on to the ladder, and began
+to descend step by step, till his shoulders were immersed, when he
+paused for a moment to alter the way in which the tube hung from his
+helmet; then Rasp, passing it through his hands, and giving a word or
+two of advice to the men at the pump, the helmet disappeared beneath the
+surface, and in place of the hissing noise heard as the air escaped from
+the valve, there came foaming up a continuous stream of bubbles through
+the limpid water.
+
+The men gave another cheer, and the Cuban, who had crept round close to
+Hester, looked down over the bulwark, full of curiosity to see what
+would follow.
+
+Down, down, down went Dutch, armed with a small sharp shovel, made in
+the shape of the ordinary spade of a pack of cards, and so bright was
+the water that his every motion was perfectly plain to those on deck, as
+he stepped from the ladder to the bed of the old vessel, and, after
+taking care that the tube should be clear of the ladder, walked slowly
+between the black ribs of the old galleon towards what had evidently
+been the stern.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+A SUBMARINE EXCURSION.
+
+To those on deck the sight was curious in the extreme, for,
+foreshortened by the clear medium through which they gazed, the diver
+seemed like some hideous water-goblin, with an enormous head, creeping
+about on the yellow sand.
+
+But interesting as it was to those on deck, it was perhaps more so to
+Dutch, who, as soon as he had assumed his helmet and began to descend,
+threw off all thought of his domestic troubles by a strong effort of his
+will, and, feeling that the success or ill-success of the expedition
+depended upon him, he set to work eagerly to solve the question of the
+treasure.  He had been down too many times to feel nervous, but, all the
+same, an unwonted tremor, which he ascribed to disease, oppressed him as
+he slowly went down from round to round; but as he reached the bottom
+this also passed off, and finding that he was well supplied with air,
+and that all worked well, he began to consider how he should act.  This
+confidence arose in a great measure from the knowledge that both Mr
+Parkley and old Rasp were watching over his safety, and feeling that his
+knife could be easily drawn from his belt, he began to look about him.
+
+All was beautifully clear; and though the motion of his heavy boots
+stirred up the sand, it sank down again directly without thickening the
+water.  A few yards away was the ladder, and above it, with the air-tube
+and two ropes plainly seen running up, was the schooner, casting a dark
+shadow on to the bottom.  Even his own shadow was cast behind him, and
+it seemed as if he were only walking in a medium of thickened air.  He
+could even make out the faces of those gazing over the side, but in a
+blurred, distorted way, for the bright bubbles of air that ran up in a
+stream made the water seem heavy overhead, though all around it was
+clearness itself.
+
+His first thoughts were naturally of the sharks, but he could see
+nothing to fear, though he had made up his mind if one should attack him
+to take advantage of its sluggish action, and, instead of trying to
+escape, thrust boldly at the monster with his knife.
+
+As he was looking about there was a flash of many colours through the
+water, and then it seemed as if the gold and silver ingots he had come
+in search of had become animated, for a shoal of fish, whose scales were
+burnished metal in appearance, suddenly darted about him, coming close
+up to his helmet as he remained stationary, as if in wonder at his
+appearance; but on his raising his arm there was a rush, the water
+quivered for a moment, and, like streaks of the rich metals he sought,
+they disappeared.
+
+So beautiful was the scene around him--the soft sunshine, the delicious
+tint of the water, and the long vistas in the distance of wondrous sea
+growths, which ran up six, twelve, and fourteen feet towards the
+surface, all aglow with the most lovely tints--that the desire was
+strong upon him to walk on beyond the portion of the bottom that had
+been swept by the dynamite, and gaze upon the various natural objects
+around.  But he had sterner work on hand, and set himself to investigate
+the appearance of the old hull, in whose interior he was.
+
+For he found now that what had seemed short stumps of blackened wood
+were some of them six or eight feet high; and that while the upper
+portions were encrusted with grey shelly matter, the lower were of an
+intense black, and these had evidently been forcibly denuded by the
+sweeping away of the sand.
+
+As he moved forward, he gave a twitch or two at the life-line to signal
+all well; and then had to make the signal that he required more air.  An
+increased supply of the life-giving stream was forced down directly,
+and, raising his spade, he began to investigate the place more closely.
+In an instant the bottom seemed to have become alive, for curious
+flat-fish, whose sides assimilated so strangely to the sand, in which
+they lay half buried, rose at every step, making little clouds, and
+going off with a peculiar undulating motion to settle down again, flick
+the sand and tiny stones over their sides by a peculiar motion of their
+broad fins, and the next minute they had become invisible.
+
+As to the wreck, there was not much to see beyond the rows of rib
+timbers on either hand, while where he stood was there nothing but sand,
+which covered the whole of the interior, though now, probably through
+the explosions, it was in hillocks, with their accompanying depressions.
+
+Knowing that those above must be anxiously watching, he thrust the spade
+down into the bottom and began to dig slowly and with great excitement,
+to find that the tool penetrated easily through; and as he raised the
+sand, and placed it on one side, it softly flowed back again.
+
+"I ought to have brought an iron rod to probe with," he thought to
+himself, as he gave the spade another thrust down, to find that nothing
+obstructed him, when he became aware of a dull shock, and he was thrown
+down, for the water seemed to rush by him with considerable violence.
+
+The next moment there was a violent pull at the life-line, and he was
+raised from his feet in a most uncomfortable position; and, but for a
+sudden snatch at his signal-cord to signify "All right," one which he
+repeated again and again, he would have been drawn to the surface.
+
+In obedience to his signals, the rope was slackened, but he had hardly
+recovered himself when it was tightened once more, and but for his
+vigorous snatch to show that he wanted no assistance, those on the
+schooner's deck would have drawn him to the surface.  He knew well
+enough now what was the meaning of the shock, and felt how necessary it
+was for a diver to be full of the calm nerve and courage of a man ready
+to battle with difficulties, for his safety depended entirely upon his
+taking the dangers he encountered in the coolest manner.
+
+The conclusion was evidently due to the firing of a dynamite cartridge,
+but, in spite of this, here was the reason for their trying to drag him
+to the surface, in the shape of something dim and large approaching him
+slowly, and apparently without effort.  As he saw it at first coming end
+on, it seemed to him like some very short, thick fish, but as it neared
+him, and grew more distinct, it swerved off to his right, and his heart
+beat fast as he saw from its altered position that it was a shark seven
+or eight feet long.
+
+He signalled again, "More air--all right," and the tightening life-rope
+slackened as he drew the long, keen-bladed knife from its wooden sheath.
+
+It was a terrible weapon, with a fine point, and about eighteen inches
+long beyond the handle, while its two edges were ground as sharp as a
+razor.  Armed with this he awaited the coming of the shark, feeling that
+to it he must prove as he looked, a monster as deadly in his power.  For
+Dutch agreed that to leave the field on this first encounter with one of
+the creatures that infested these waters was to confess to himself that
+he was beaten, and morally to consent to a defeat of their project,
+while could he nerve himself to boldly meet the attack, and so disable
+his enemy by skilful tactics as to kill it, or compel its retreat, he
+would give himself so much confidence, and Rasp as well, that they would
+in the future have little compunction in descending, and scarcely any
+fear of their dangerous enemies.
+
+"If I fail," he said to himself bitterly; "well, it is a horrible death,
+but why should I mind dying?  I have nothing to live for now."
+
+"Bah!  Dying," he went on, mastering his trepidation, and feeling a
+savage energy of will.  "I, a man with reasoning powers, with ingenuity
+enough to help to invent the apparatus by which I can stay down here and
+meet this creature with arms in my hand in his own element.  Pooh! it is
+absurd.  I shall--I will kill it."
+
+He had plenty of time to think, and he had once more to impatiently
+signal "All right," for he became aware of a tightening of the
+life-line, while the shark, with its curious, crafty look, undulated by
+him, its long, unequally-lobed tail waving softly as it nearly passed
+him with the greatest apparent ease, turned, sailed back some little
+distance, and then turned once more as if to pass him on the other side.
+
+"That is where he has the advantage," thought Dutch, as he saw the ease
+with which the creature glided along, on about a level with the top of
+his helmet, and knew for his own part what an effort it needed for him
+to move through the water.
+
+He felt very little alarm now in the excitement of these moments, and as
+he watched the shark's manoeuvres he grew more and more determined to
+make this the test of the future.  He had often read of how the South
+Sea Islanders made no scruple about bathing where there were sharks, and
+how ready they were to attack them in their own element, while protected
+as he was on head, back, neck, and breast, by his copper armour and
+weights, he felt that it would be cowardly to retreat.
+
+"Poor thing!  I hope she cannot see me now," he muttered, as for a
+fleeting moment his thoughts reverted to Hester.  Then, with set teeth
+and knit brows, he waited the coming of the shark, feeling that his one
+most vulnerable point was the air-tube, and dreading lest the creature
+should make a snap at that in passing.  For either that or the
+continuous stream of bright air bubbles had evidently excited its
+attention, and for a few moments it swam up eight or ten feet, giving
+Dutch a good view of its white under-portions, and the great gash of a
+mouth that seemed as if formed by one cut of a large knife.
+
+The creature came down again, though, directly, in the most leisurely
+way gazing full now at the helmet, and, poising itself almost motionless
+in the water, it remained gazing straight at him while Dutch awaited the
+attack.
+
+This was not long in coming, for the shark, after altering its position
+once or twice, and descending to about the level of the young man's
+shoulders, made a forward movement, but with no great rapidity, and
+Dutch gave a sharp signal once more, to ensure liberty of action before
+the shark, as it came gliding through the clear water as if to seize his
+left arm, rolled softly over on its side, opened its great jaws, which
+glistened with saw-like teeth, and was in the act of closing them, when,
+with a thrust like lightning, Dutch buried his knife to the haft between
+the monster's pectoral fins, which offered a fair mark, dragged it out,
+and prepared to strike again.
+
+As the blade entered its yielding body the shark gave a spasmodic jerk
+and shot straight up, with the water becoming tinged with a ruddy hue,
+but, turning, it darted down once more, leaving a red trail behind it,
+and again made to attack.
+
+There was a sudden tightening of the life-line, but Dutch met it with
+the signal, "All right," just before the shark once more approached,
+turned over to seize him, and again received the full length of the
+blade, while as the monster darted forward and dragged itself free it
+was at the expense of so fearful a gash that a cloud of blood darkened
+the water, the shark struggled feebly for a few minutes, and then
+floated, belly up, to the surface.
+
+Dutch gave his knife a wave or two through the water to remove the
+blood, replaced it in his belt, and stood gazing up at the ruddy cloud
+above his head for a few moments, gave a signal or two with the rope
+such as would show them on deck that he was unhurt, and, stooping down,
+once more took his spade to try the sand.
+
+It was with a strange feeling of elation that he resumed his task,
+knowing now, as he did, that by the exercise of ordinary courage a man
+might readily defend himself from any of these monsters.  In fact, so
+far from feeling alarm now, he was ready to encounter another whenever
+it might appear; but now the only one in sight was the creature floating
+far above his head, and more distinctly seen each moment, for the ruddy
+cloud was becoming rapidly diffused, and the outline of the schooner's
+hull and the ladder, which had seemed misty and dull, were now well
+defined and plain to see.
+
+Dutch now began to feel that he must soon ascend once more, but not
+wishing to do so without making some discovery, he thrust down the spade
+here and there, in all directions, but encountered nothing.  It was
+evident that if the treasure existed, it must be far below the sand that
+had gone on accumulating for centuries.
+
+There was one place, though, that he had not tried, and that was the
+depression scooped out by the dynamite, a spot which he had reserved to
+the last.  Wading here, then, a task which necessitated his passing
+right under the schooner and farther from the ladder than he had yet
+been, he began to examine the surface, and detecting nothing, he thrust
+down his spade, working it about so as to make it penetrate farther and
+farther, but still there was no resistance, and, faint and weary, he was
+about to give up when he thought he would try once more.
+
+This he did, thrusting in the spade and forcing it down till his hand
+was nearly on a level with the sand, and then--Yes!  No!  Yes! there was
+a slight obstruction.
+
+He forced it down again, his heart beating painfully the while, for here
+was the test.
+
+It might be only a copper bolt in the rotten old wood, or a stone; he
+might have reached the rock below the sand, but a second thought told
+him that the keel must be eight or ten feet lower, and that the touch
+was not that of stone or rock.  Neither could it be wood.  It was either
+a metal bolt or that of which he was in search.
+
+Dutch forgot now all about the necessity for ascending; his sole thought
+was the sunken treasure, and, working as vigorously as he could in his
+cumbersome garments, he shovelled out the sand, though it was a slow and
+laborious task, as it kept running back into the hole he made.
+
+Still he dug down more and more till he had made a fair-sized
+excavation, when, once more thrusting in the spade, he found it checked
+against something, and his heart sank as he fancied that he might have
+struck upon a bed of old shells.  Still he persevered, not that he
+expected to lift that which he touched, but in the hope that he might
+reach it more easily, and satisfy himself that he was touching metal.
+
+He was getting quite exhausted, and had already been down far too long.
+Nothing but the strong desire to have something definite to say kept him
+toiling on, and at last he unwillingly gave up, when something dark
+amongst the sand he had thrown out took his attention, and reaching down
+he picked up a lump of shells concreted together, and with an impatient
+gesture he was about to throw them down again, when it struck him that
+they were uncommonly heavy.  To an inexperienced man this would have
+passed unnoticed, for the difficulty of telling the difference of weight
+in so dense a medium as the water was not one easily mastered, but Dutch
+had been down too many times not to have a good idea of such matters,
+and, checking himself just as he was about to throw the mass down, he
+raised it to the front of his helmet.
+
+Shells, shells, nothing but shells of several kinds joined together by
+the calcareous deposit of some kind of sea worm; but, all the same, it
+was very heavy, and, wrong or right, determining to take the lump up
+with him, he turned to go under the schooner and reach the ladder.
+
+For, he argued, those little ingots the Cuban had shown them had shelly
+accretion firmly attached, and it was probable that a good deal had been
+knocked off.  At all events, he must ascend now, and going slowly along,
+placing the piece of concrete in a net pouch at his back, he was in the
+shadow of the schooner with its keel nearly above his head, when a
+peculiar sensation that he knew too well suddenly attacked him.  His
+head began to swim, blood seemed to gorge the vessels of his eyes, and a
+horrible sensation of oppression to attack his chest.
+
+Already exhausted by his too long stay and extra exertion, combined with
+the nervous excitement of his fight with the shark, he was not master of
+himself, and in spite of his old experience he literally lost his head,
+becoming so unnerved that he sank down upon his knees, forgetting his
+signal-line, and tugging at the helmet to get it from his head.
+
+One drag at that thin cord should have been sufficient to secure help,
+but it was forgotten, even though he touched it with his hands as they
+went to his helmet, and to make matters worse, he was kneeling now out
+of sight of those on deck; and for the moment all seemed over.  He was
+blind, for a thick darkness had, as it were, come over him, mentally and
+bodily, in the intense horror of the moment, but through that darkness
+flashed scene after scene of the past, and he saw Hester, looking young
+and beautiful, gazing pityingly down at him, but without stretching out
+a hand to save, while, with a smile of triumph upon his countenance,
+there stood Laure, the bane of his existence.  Then came pleasant
+thoughts of his old childish days, mingled with a dull sense of
+drowsiness that it was impossible to fight against, and then a reaction,
+as Dutch made a violent effort to reach his feet, but only to sink down
+prone upon his face.
+
+For though, like some gigantic sea worm, the india-rubber tube meandered
+over the sand, out of the shadow of the schooner into the sunshine, and
+then straight up towards the surface, the supply of air had stopped!
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
+
+A CRAFTY FOE.
+
+It was with a feeling of intense agony that Hester Pugh watched her
+husband as he stepped on to the ladder and gradually descended below the
+surface of the water, and then with beating heart she altered her
+position, going beyond the others and leaning over the bulwark, so that
+she could peer down into the clear water and follow his every motion.
+
+It would have been painful enough if they had parted lovingly, but, with
+the knowledge that his doubts had been strengthened by her refusal to
+explain, her position was doubly painful.  In bygone days, before their
+marriage, Dutch had been one of the most successful and daring of
+divers, more from choice than necessity; but of late he had devoted
+himself to drawing and making plans at her desire, though his old love
+of submarine adventure was strong within him still; and now it almost
+seemed as if his resumption of his old pursuit had been caused by hatred
+of her.
+
+For the time being all thought of the hidden peril to which those on
+board were exposed was swallowed up in the present danger, and, not
+noticing who was her nearest neighbour, she watched the progress of her
+husband with the great drops of anguish starting to her forehead.  Every
+movement he made was plainly to be seen by all on board, and when Mr
+Meldon first raised the cry of "Shark!" so intense was the interest in
+the proceedings that no one paid the slightest heed to her.  Thus it was
+that, in a state that made her ask herself sometimes whether this was
+not some wild dream, she saw the bustle on deck accompanying Mr
+Parkley's efforts to drive off the unwelcome visitors, of which there
+were two.  A cartridge was thrown, and exploded close to one of them,
+with the result that it seemed to sink to the bottom, for they saw it no
+more, while, when the other was seen to be making straight for the
+diver, the cry arose that he should be drawn up, and under Rasp's
+direction the men were starting the life-line with a run, when--
+
+"Hold hard!" cried Rasp, "he's a signalling `All right.'"
+
+"But it is madness," cried Mr Parkley and the captain in a breath.
+
+"He's a signalling `All right,'" cried Rasp sternly.  "You should never
+touch a diver when he does that.  See there."
+
+Rasp quickly pulled the line, so as to tighten it, when the impatient
+jerk at the signal-cord came again.
+
+"Can you see exactly what is going on, Mr Meldon?" said the captain.
+
+"Yes, quite plainly," was the reply, "he has his knife out, and is going
+to fight the shark."
+
+Hester had already seen this, and had shrunk aside, covering her eyes
+with her hands, fearing to listen to the conversation that ensued as Mr
+Meldon described in vivid words what we already know.  She heard, too,
+the various impatient suggestions that Dutch should be drawn up, and in
+an agony of supplication she prayed that this might take place, but
+always, till she felt that she hated him with an intensity of dislike,
+she heard Rasp's harsh voice dominating the others as, with the sense of
+responsibility that he had a diver's life in his hands, he absolutely
+refused.  He was lord of the proceedings, having been invested by Dutch
+with his duties, and he maintained his position after nearly yielding
+two or three times and tightening the life-line.
+
+"There, you may say what you like," he growled, "I know my dooty, and
+I'm a-doing on it.  You should never meddle with a man as is down till
+he asks for help--go on with that pumping, my lads, keep it up," he
+said, interrupting his didactic remarks to admonish the sailors at the
+air-pump--"'cause if you do, you means well p'raps, but you only
+flurries the man, and that's the very thing as you oughtn't to do.  Do
+you know what would make the best divers, Oakum?"
+
+"No," growled that worthy.
+
+"Cowcumbers, 'cause they're so cool.  Now, lookye here everybody, he's
+going on as right as can be.  Mr Dutch keeps on giving the signal `All
+right,' so why should we interfere.  I'm master o' this descent, and he
+shan't be interfered with."
+
+"But, you madman, there's a huge shark just going to dash at him," cried
+Mr Meldon excitedly.
+
+"Then I'm very sorry for the shark," said Rasp coolly.  "Lor' bless you,
+Mr Dutch is too much for any shark as can swim.  Madman, eh, Mr
+Doctor.  What would you say to me if I called you a madman for not
+letting me interfere when you'd got your patient a-going on all right,
+and just because I thought he was in danger?  My patient's a-going on
+all right.  There, he says so himself," he continued, as the customary
+signal passed along the line.
+
+"Rasp is quite right," said Mr Parkley, who stood there with a
+cartridge in one hand, the wire in the other, and the battery between
+his feet.  "A diver should never be interfered with."
+
+"There, hear that?" said Rasp, watching the tube where it descended into
+the water.
+
+"But look!  Good heavens, it is horrible!" cried the doctor.
+
+Hester's hands dropped from her face, and she gazed down now to see a
+thick cloud of blood rising through the water, shutting out the figure
+of him she loved, and white as ashes, with eyes starting, and parted
+lips, but without uttering a word, she gazed on.
+
+"Well, what o' that?" said Rasp coolly, as he held the signal-line
+delicately in his hand, drawing in and slackening out like a man feeling
+with a ground line.  "He's as right as a trivet, and I've felt him all
+along with the line here, and he's give the shark such a one-er.  I felt
+him let go at it."
+
+"I'm afraid it is his own blood," exclaimed Mr Wilson.
+
+"For heaven's sake be silent, Wilson!" cried Mr Parkley.  "There,
+you've made Miss Studwick faint."
+
+In fact Bessy, standing by her brother's side as he watched the whole of
+the proceedings, had sunk down softly on the deck; but when the doctor
+turned to her help, John Studwick angrily repelled him.
+
+"It was your horrible talk began it, and that long fool's finished the
+work," exclaimed John Studwick.  "Now, go back and see the shark killed.
+I can attend to my sister.  Send for some cold water, father," he
+added, as the captain came up.
+
+But it was needless, for Bessy was recovering fast, and after looking
+wildly about for a few moments she sat up by her brother, and held his
+hand with her back turned to the group on deck.
+
+"Bah!" ejaculated Rasp, coolly.  "There, keep clear o' that chube," he
+shouted.  "It's shark's blood, that's what it is, and you'll see him
+turn up by-and-by.  Here he comes; no he ain't turned up yet.  Now he's
+going down again.  There," he cried directly after, as the line glided
+softly through his hand.  "Mr Dutch has given him another.  Look at the
+cloud rising again, and--ha, ha, ha!  What did I tell you?"
+
+As he spoke Hester saw the form of the shark rising slowly through the
+ruddy cloud till its white belly gleamed in the sunshine, and Rasp
+pointed out with delight the two great gashes through which its life
+blood was passing out, while the monster made a few ineffectual
+struggles to recover itself, and then floated slowly to leeward.
+
+"There ain't many about here just now," said Rasp, "or else that blood
+would have brought 'em round.  Ha! there won't be much of him left by
+to-morrow morning.  Serve him right for interfering with divers."
+
+Hester's eyes closed again for a few moments as her heart went up in
+grateful thanksgiving.  Then she was watching the gradually clearing
+water till she could see her husband once again, and as she saw him
+moving it was with a feeling of hope that he would come up now.
+
+But as we know he passed right under the schooner, and there were more
+spectators crossed over to the other side to watch his efforts, while
+she, faint and exhausted with her emotions, sat down on a coil of rope,
+gazing at the tube that passed close by her, Rasp having set a goodly
+length free as soon as he found that Dutch was on the move, and she had
+seen this long snake-like pipe creep out well over the side as the diver
+went farther and farther away, knowing that it was the bond which held
+him to life, and feeling with a kind of fascination that she could not
+explain that it was now her duty to watch the tube and see that it was
+not touched.
+
+As she felt this, she raised her eyes for a moment, to see that Rasp was
+standing with his back to her and that she was alone, for all were now
+intent upon the diver's actions, and commenting upon his work.
+
+"He's found out the place," said one.  "He's got something--no he
+hasn't," and so on.
+
+Just then Hester Pugh became aware of some one standing close by her,
+and turning her eyes it was to find that Laure had crossed unnoticed to
+her side, where he stood as if looking over the bulwarks for sharks, but
+really all the time with his eyes fixed upon and fascinating hers, while
+to her horror she saw that one of his bare feet kept touching the tube.
+
+"I've been waiting for this opportunity," he said at last in a low
+whisper.  "You tried to betray me this morning."
+
+"No, no," she moaned, as the wretch placed his foot upon the tube,
+smiling at her the while.
+
+"You will betray me in spite of my warning," he continued in the same
+low tone; "and for this, because I will not have my plans spoiled, and
+partly because I hate Dutch Pugh and love you, my child, I am going to
+press my foot down upon this tube.  Hark! dare to raise your voice in
+the least," he whispered fiercely, as he saw her white lips part, "and
+it is his instant death.  Do you understand?  If I stop the flow of air
+for only a few seconds, he will be so startled that he will not recover
+himself, while if I double the time it will make assurance doubly sure,
+as you English people say.  Swear now to me, by all that is holy, by all
+your future hopes, that you will not betray me."
+
+"Heaven give me strength, I cannot," panted Hester.
+
+"My foot is pressing the tube," he hissed.  "But there I know, sweet
+love, that you wish him dead, that there may be no hindrance to our
+passion."
+
+"Monster!" she cried.
+
+"Hush!" he whispered.  "Will you swear?"
+
+"Yes, yes," she panted.
+
+"That you will neither by word nor deed betray me."
+
+"Yes," she said hoarsely.  "I swear."
+
+"Thanks, dear one," he whispered.  "It is but for a few days.  Mind,
+they have found one of my treasure stores; they shall work for me--for
+us--in ignorance, and bring it all to the surface.  For us, Hester.  You
+need not turn away; I read your heart, and that you will love me as I
+love you soon, and you shall revel in wealth like an Eastern princess.
+But now you must swear more; I cannot wait.  I will not have those
+loathing looks and angry eyes directed at me.  You shall swear that you
+will be mine when and where I ask it of you, or--"
+
+"Are you some fiend?" exclaimed Hester with a look of horror as she saw
+his foot pressing the tube.
+
+"No," he whispered passionately, "only a man whom you have driven nearly
+mad with your beauty, and who can and will suffer no more.  Have you not
+always been cold and rejected me, even in spite of my prayers?  Now I am
+driven to extremities.  Swear that you will be mine, or Dutch Pugh dies
+beneath your feet."
+
+"I cannot--will not," she faltered, with her senses reeling.
+
+"Cannot!  Will not!  You must and shall.  You know that I have but to
+keep my foot firmly pressed down for a few moments, and he becomes
+senseless.  And what then?  Who in the confusion will know that it was
+I?  Swear it to me, girl, this moment.  Hester, I implore, as well as
+command.  Have I not told you my love?  Listen to me.  Have I not
+followed you here--done everything for your sake?"
+
+"I will not swear," exclaimed Hester in low, panting tones, and then she
+uttered a faint cry, which was checked on the instant, as with a look of
+passionate rage that he could not control she saw Laure flatten the
+tube, and knew that it was to her husband's death.
+
+"Will you swear now?" he whispered.  "He is dying.  Will you not save
+him?"
+
+"I cannot, I cannot," she panted.  "Oh, it is too horrible.  Dutch, my
+love, it is for your sake.  I swear."
+
+"That you are mine?"
+
+"Yes, yes," she whispered; and she swooned away, while Laure removed his
+foot from the tube.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
+
+RASP'S ADVENTURE.
+
+"Quick, my lads, with a will," shouted Rasp.  "Haul!  Run him up."
+
+For the old diver had suddenly awakened to the fact that something was
+wrong below, and at his command the men holding the life-line ran
+forward along the deck, drawing Dutch rapidly to the surface, where
+half-a-dozen willing hands, the Cuban's among them, seized him and laid
+him on the deck, where Rasp rapidly unscrewed the helmet and exposed the
+young man's face, blue and distorted with strangulation.
+
+"Quick! some more of these things off," exclaimed Mr Meldon.
+
+"You let him alone," growled Rasp.  "I'll bring him to in a jiffy;" and,
+rudely elbowing the doctor aside, he seized Dutch's arms, pumped them up
+and down a few times, and then forcibly pressing on his breast produced
+a kind of artificial respiration, for at the end of a minute Dutch
+sighed, and then rapidly began to recover.
+
+As he commenced breathing more regularly, those surrounding became aware
+that Hester was trying to get to his side, for, unnoticed in the
+excitement, she had recovered her senses, and then, pale and sick at
+heart, crept to the group, where she dreaded to look upon the form of
+him she loved lying dead.
+
+A look of joy, succeeded by one of intense despair, crossed her face as
+she knelt down by Dutch's head, waiting to see his eyes open and to hear
+his words, as she shudderingly recalled the promise she had made to save
+his life.
+
+She was so behind him that he did not see her, when at last he opened
+his eyes, and gazed wildly about him as if not comprehending where he
+was, and directly after he placed his hands to his face as if to feel
+the helmet.
+
+His eyes opened more widely then, and Rasp held the cup of a brandy
+flask to his lips.
+
+"Take a sup o' this here, Mr Pug," he said in his rough way.
+
+Dutch obeyed without a word, and his face began to resume its natural
+aspect.
+
+"That was a near touch, Mr Dutch, sir," growled the old fellow.  "You
+would stop down too long."
+
+"Too long?" said Dutch faintly, as he tried to sit up.
+
+"No, no, be still for a few minutes," said the doctor, who had been
+pushing up the india-rubber bands of his sleeve, and feeling the
+sufferer's pulse, to Rasp's great disgust.
+
+"Who said I stopped down too long?" said Dutch faintly, as Hester
+crouched at his head, with her hands to her face.
+
+"I did," growled Rasp.  "You shouldn't have overdone it the first time."
+
+"I did not stay down too long," said Dutch angrily, but in rather a
+feeble way.  "The supply of air was stepped."
+
+"What!" cried Rasp, fiercely.
+
+"I say the wind was stopped."
+
+"Hark at him," cried Rasp, looking round from one to the other.  "Hark
+at that, Mister Parkley, and you, too, captain.  Why, I sooperintended
+it all myself, and the supply never stopped for a moment."
+
+Hester shuddered.
+
+"Here he goes and overdoes it, gets fightin' sharks, and stopping down
+about twiced as long as he should the first time, and then says the
+pumping was checked."
+
+"You must have got the tube kinked," said Dutch, sitting up.  "Take off
+these weights."
+
+"_You_ must, you mean," said Rasp, unhooking the leaden pads from breast
+and back; and while he was so engaged Hester looked wildly round in a
+desperate resolve to tell all, but her eyes dropped directly as she
+shuddered, for just at her husband's feet stood Laure, and she felt that
+she dare not tell the secret that seemed to be driving her mad.
+
+"Here you goes right under the schooner, and must have hitched the chube
+in the ladder; that's what you must have done."
+
+"There, it's of no use to argue with you, Rasp," said Dutch.  "I'm all
+right again now, thank you, doctor; but I'm sure of one thing: the
+supply of air was stopped somehow, and I've had a bit of a shaking."
+
+"And I'm sure it just wasn't," growled Rasp.  "Everything went just as
+it should go.  There!"
+
+Dutch rose without assistance, and as he did so Hester, with a sigh of
+misery, shrank away, feeling that she could never look upon his face
+again.
+
+"But I have saved his life," she sighed to herself.  "I have saved his
+life;" and then, shuddering with horror, and asking herself whether the
+time had not come when she had better die, she crept slowly to the cabin
+stairs, descended, and, sinking into a chair by her cot, sat there and
+sobbed as if her heart would break.
+
+Dutch smiled with pleasure as he stood up and found that he could take a
+few steps here and there without feeling his brain reel, for Oakum took
+off his old straw hat, waved it round his head, and the men gave a
+hearty cheer.
+
+"It weer too bad o' you though to stop his wind Rasp, owd mate," growled
+Oakum, in the old diver's ear.
+
+Rasp looked daggers at him, and then proceeded to wipe and polish the
+helmet, from which he had been removing some grains of sand.
+
+"Have a cigar, Mr Pugh," said Wilson, holding out his case, and then
+shaking hands, an example followed by Mr Parkley, the captain, and John
+Studwick, who stood looking at him with admiration.
+
+"I have done nothing but shake your hands for the last ten minutes, Mr
+Pugh," said the doctor, warmly, "but we may as well shake hands again,
+though really our old friend Rasp here, with his rough-and-ready means,
+was principal attendant."
+
+"Humph!" growled Rasp, "I do get the credit for that, then.  Stopped the
+wind, indeed!  Here, you nigger, just leave that pump alone."
+
+This last to 'Pollo, who was curiously inspecting the machine, and who
+strutted off with his opal eyes rolling and his teeth grinning
+indignation at being called a nigger.
+
+"Well, Pugh," said Mr Parkley, who so far had been able to restrain his
+impatience, but who longed to hear the result of the investigation, "I
+must congratulate you on your brave encounter with the shark."
+
+"And wanted me to haul you up," growled Rasp.
+
+"There was not much bravery in it," said Dutch, who was now smoking as
+composedly as if nothing had occurred, while the water that had streamed
+from his india-rubber suit was fast drying on the sun-baked deck.  "I
+was well-armed; my enemy was not."
+
+"Wasn't he?" growled Rasp, giving a vicious rub at the helmet.  "What do
+you call them teeth?  But, then, we divers are not skeered about a shark
+or two."
+
+"Do you feel well enough to talk about your descent, Pugh?" said Mr
+Parkley.
+
+"I feel well enough to go down again," said Dutch smiling; "but this
+time I must have a sharp-pointed iron rod to probe the sand."
+
+"I'm a-going down next," said Rasp.  "It's my turn."
+
+"But what is your opinion?  What have you made out?" said Mr Parkley.
+
+"Almost nothing," replied Dutch.  "If there is anything below there, it
+is buried deep in sand, which, I think, we must blast away, for it runs
+back as fast as it is dug."
+
+"Then you found absolutely nothing," said Mr Parkley, while the others
+waited eagerly for the young man's answer.
+
+"Unless this proves to be something," replied Dutch, taking the shelly
+mass from his net basket and handing it to his partner.
+
+Mr Parkley received it with trembling hands.
+
+"It is heavy," he said, turning it over and over.  "Here Rasp, a hammer,
+quick."
+
+The old fellow handed a bright steel-headed tool, with the ordinary
+hammer head on one side, but a sharp wedge-shaped edge at the other, and
+with this Mr Parkley chipped away the small barnacles and other shells
+conglomerated together, and at about the fourth stroke laid bare
+something bright and shining.
+
+"My dear Dutch," cried his partner, dropping the hammer, "we are right.
+Look--silver!"
+
+He wrung Dutch's hand vigorously, as the young man's face flushed with
+pleasure; and then, picking up the hammer, he struck off the remainder
+of the shelly concretion, and passed round a blackened wedge-shaped
+ingot of about a couple of pounds weight, and undoubtedly of fine
+silver.
+
+"Here, lay hold of the legs of this soot," cried Rasp eagerly, as he
+seized the second suit which lay ready on a seat.  "I'm a-going down
+dreckly."
+
+"We'd better wait first, and make some definite plan of action," said
+Mr Parkley, who was nearly as excited as his old assistant.
+
+"No, we hadn't," said Rasp, shuffling into the india-rubber garments.
+"Only just have that there ladder shifted over to port.  You can make
+your plans while I go down tother side and feels about with the iron
+rod.  You two's administrative; I'm zeketive.  I shan't be happy unless
+I has a go in."
+
+The point was yielded, the ladder shifted over to the other side, and in
+a few minutes Rasp had taken the keen knife and stuck it in his belt,
+thrown down a long iron rod, and declared himself ready.
+
+"I shall set to work where you left that there spade," he said.  "You'll
+see as the wind ain't stopped, Mr Parkley, sir?"
+
+"Of course," was the reply.
+
+"And you'll see as the chube ain't in no kinks, Mr Pug;" he continued,
+with a dry chuckling laugh, "and so will I."
+
+"You may laugh, Rasp," said Dutch, good-humouredly, "but you will not
+alter my opinion about it at all."
+
+"I know that, Mr Pug; I know that," he chuckled.
+
+"But you haven't got the life-line attached."
+
+"Yah!  I don't want no life-lines," said the old fellow.  "I've been
+down too many times."
+
+"You don't go down without, Rasp," said Mr Parkley, authoritatively.
+
+"And why not?" said the stubborn old fellow.
+
+"Because if you like to throw your life away, I don't choose to spare
+you at such a time."
+
+The old fellow assumed his helmet, growling and grumbling the whole
+time, and then, all being ready, the look-out was arranged once more for
+sharks, Mr Parkley held a cartridge or two ready, and Dutch took the
+management of the descent, watchfully minding that the tube and lines
+were clear.  Then Rasp went down, to be seen directly after thrusting
+the rod here and there, and soon after commencing digging in the slow,
+laborious way inevitable in so dense a medium.
+
+The water was disturbed by the continuous fountain of exhausted air
+bubbles that rose rapidly to the surface, but all the same Rasp's
+motions could be pretty well followed, and they were scanned with great
+eagerness by all on deck, when suddenly the cry of sharks was raised,
+and the black fins of a couple of monsters were seen slowly coming up
+astern.
+
+In an instant Mr Parkley ran aft, and after seeing that his wire coil
+would be perfectly free, he threw the cartridge with such precision that
+it fell between the two fish, and on the wire being applied to the
+battery, there was a dull report, a heavy column of water flew up in
+which could be seen the forms of the sharks, and as the commotion
+subsided they were seen swimming feebly in a stunned, helpless manner
+round and round, and gradually getting more distant from the schooner.
+
+The men gave a cheer at the result, but as they did so Mr Wilson raised
+the cry again of "shark," and pointed downwards where a monster was seen
+slowly approaching Rasp, who was working away in profound ignorance of
+his danger, though he had been seen to straighten himself up for a
+moment or two when the cartridges were exploded.
+
+"Stand ready with the life-line," shouted Dutch.  "Keep on pumping, my
+lads."
+
+As he spoke he signalled with the cord, and Rasp faced round, to be seen
+to squat down directly as he drew his knife.
+
+The scene below was very vivid, for the sun shone out so brightly that
+even the rivets in the copper helmet were visible, and but for a word or
+two of warning those whose duty it was to attend to life-line and pump
+would have stopped short to try and catch a glance at what was going on
+below.
+
+Dutch's stern voice brought them back to their duty, and the pump
+clanked, and those who held the life-line stood ready for a run forward
+to drag Rasp up if there was any need.
+
+"Why," exclaimed Mr Parkley, eagerly, "he is not ready for the monster,
+and it is sailing round him.  I dare not send down a cartridge, as the
+brute will not be the only sufferer.  Look, look, for heaven's sake,
+Dutch!  It has seized him."
+
+Plainly enough to be seen, as Mr Parkley spoke, the shark gave its tail
+a wave, turned over so that its white breast was like a flash of light
+in the water, and opening its large jaws it seemed to seize the diver.
+
+At the same moment there was a tug at the signal-cord, and a sharp tug
+at the life-line, for Dutch gave the word, and Rasp was dragged rapidly
+to the surface, the shark following, and making a fresh snap at him as
+he was hoisted on deck.
+
+The second snap divided the tube, which the monster caught across his
+jaws, but no sooner was Rasp in safety than Mr Parkley threw one of his
+cartridges at the shark, where it swam now round and round, with only
+its back fin above the water.
+
+In an instant the creature turned on one side, and the white cartridge
+was seen to disappear.  Then followed a touch of the wire against the
+hissing battery, there was a deafening report, and the schooner heaved a
+little over on one side, and the surface of the placid sea was covered
+with blood-stained fragments which were seized and borne off by a shoal
+of silvery-looking fish, which seemed attracted to the spot in
+thousands.
+
+"What did you pull me up for?" roared Rasp, as soon as he was relieved
+of his helmet.
+
+"To save your life," was the reply.
+
+"It's shabby, that's what it is," said Rasp angrily.  "No one interfered
+with you, Mr Dutch, when you had your turn."
+
+"But you signalled to be pulled up."
+
+"That I didn't," growled the old fellow.  "It was that brute bit at my
+helmet.  Has he made any marks?"
+
+"Yes," said Mr Parkley, lifting up the bright copper headpiece, and
+examining the couple of curves of sharply defined scratches which had
+been made by the monster's teeth.
+
+"Then you should have left me alone," growled Rasp.  "I should have
+killed that chap if I could have got my knife out of the sheath."
+
+"And could you not?" said Dutch.
+
+"No.  It's a sticking fast in the sheath there, and--.  Who's took it
+out?" he growled, feeling his side.  "Why, I must ha' dropped it."
+
+The bright blade could be seen lying below, and Rasp stood grumbling and
+wondering how it could have happened, ending with whispering to Dutch.
+
+"I ain't afeard on the beggars, but don't let out as I was took aback.
+I worn't ready, you know; that's how it was."
+
+Dutch nodded assent, and the subject dropped, for Rasp pulled a couple
+of large and two small lumps of shelly matter from his pocket, the
+weight of which instantly told Mr Parkley that they were ingots in the
+same condition as the first.
+
+There was no doubt now about the treasure having been found, and the
+question discussed was whether it would be better to try and get rid of
+the sand by blasting, or try the slower and more laborious plan of
+digging it away.
+
+This last was decided on, especially as, by blasting away the sand, the
+silver ingots to a great extent might be cast away with the covering.
+Besides which, the position of the schooner was so satisfactory that the
+captain was averse to its being moved, and wished, if possible, to
+retain it where it was.  Tackle was rigged up, then, with iron buckets
+attached to ropes, and the afternoon was spent by Dutch and Rasp in turn
+in filling the buckets, which were then drawn up by the sailors and
+emptied beyond the ribs of the old galleon.
+
+The filling of the buckets resulted in the discovery of many ingots,
+which were placed aside, and at last, after several descents, a portion
+of the treasure was reached, and instead of sending up sand, the buckets
+were filled with silver and the rough shelly concrete, though every
+ingot as they worked lower was more free from the adhesion, till the
+lower ones were almost literally blackened silver covered with sand.
+
+Worn out with fatigue the task was at last set aside for the day, and in
+honour of their great success, 'Pollo's best endeavours had been called
+into question to prepare what was quite a banquet, during which Mr
+Parkley was congratulated by his friends in turn, and afterwards, when
+seated in the comparative cool of the evening, the question was
+discussed as to there being any risk attending their proceedings.
+
+"I don't suppose we are right from some points of view," said Mr
+Parkley, gaily.  "But let's secure all the treasure, and we'll talk
+about that afterwards.  We shall give you a rich cargo, Studwick."
+
+"I hope so," was the reply, "but you'll have to go on for many days at
+this rate before I am overloaded."
+
+"Wait a bit, eh, Dutch Pugh.  I think we shall astonish him yet.  Come,
+a glass of champagne, man.  You are low with your accident.  What are
+you dreaming about?"
+
+"I was wondering," said Dutch, quietly, "whether we ought not to take
+more precautions."
+
+"What about?  Indians ashore?"
+
+"No; sailors afloat."
+
+"Quite right," said the captain.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean," said Dutch, "that we must not excite the cupidity of these men
+by letting them see too much of the treasure, or mischief may follow.
+There are several fellows here whose looks I don't like."
+
+"Don't invent bugbears, Pugh," said Mr Parkley, gaily.  "We can take
+care of what we find, for we have plenty of arms, and I doubt very much
+whether the men would risk their necks by entering into anything in the
+shape of a mutiny.  What do you say to that, eh, Studwick?  Am I not
+right?"
+
+"I don't know what to say," replied the captain.  "I must confess now
+that I had my misgivings about some of the men at the commencement of
+the voyage, and, though I have seen nothing to make me suspicious, the
+fact of having a large freight of silver on board with such a crew as we
+have does not tend to make me feel quite at ease."
+
+"But you have not your large freight of silver on board yet," said the
+doctor smiling.
+
+"No, by jove," exclaimed Mr Studwick; "but if they go on piling up the
+ingots at the rate they have been this afternoon, we shall soon have a
+temptation strong enough to incite a set of scoundrels to cut all our
+throats."
+
+Dutch started and shuddered.
+
+"Come, come, gentlemen," cried Mr Parkley, "suppose we stop all this
+dismal quaking.  Here we have so far succeeded in our quest, and the
+trip bids fair to be all that can be desired, whereupon you set to
+inventing troubles.  Come, I'll give you a toast.  Here, `Home, sweet
+home!'"
+
+"Home, sweet home!" said the others in chorus, as they drained their
+glasses, saving Dutch, who sat moodily thinking.  For these words had
+recalled happy days that were past.  There was no happy home for him,
+and it seemed as if a wandering life would be the happiest that he could
+now look forward to in the future.
+
+At last, being weary with their exertions, the watch was set and they
+went below, the doctor sternly forbidding any one from lying down to
+sleep on the deck,--a most tempting place in the heat; and no sooner had
+the captain taken a look round than a couple of dark figures crept
+stealthily from under the tarpaulin that covered a boat, and were joined
+by another, who cautiously came forward to join them from the forecastle
+hatch, the three getting together under the dark shelter of the
+bulwarks, where earnest conversation was carried on in a whisper.
+
+About half-an-hour later another dark figure crept out upon the deck,
+and stood listening for a few moments before going down on hands and
+knees, and then apparently flat upon the deck, to worm its way towards
+where a faint light shone up from the cabin, and gaze cautiously down
+through the skylight as far as it could for the wire protection spread
+over the glass.
+
+Apparently satisfied, the figure crept forward again, and made for the
+hatch leading down to the berths occupied by Mr Jones, the doctor, the
+naturalist, Rasp, and where Sam Oakum also turned in.
+
+Now, it so happened that the latter gentleman was enjoying a strange
+nightmare, in which it seemed to him that Rasp had, out of spite, forced
+him into one of the diving suits, made him go to the bottom of the sea,
+and had then suddenly cut off the supply of air.  He fought, he
+struggled, he grunted, he made every effort he could to breathe, but all
+in vain, and in the horror of the suffocating sensation he awoke to find
+that a hand was pressed heavily upon his mouth, while another seemed
+busy at his breast.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
+
+'POLLO'S REPORT.
+
+Oakum was not a man to shout for help, but to act, and act he did on the
+instant by turning sharply round, and seizing his assailant by the
+throat.  He lowered his hands, though, in a moment, for a thick voice
+whispered--
+
+"Don't make 'tupid bobbery, Mass' Sam Oakum, sah, or you wake de oder
+gentlemen."
+
+"What's up, 'Pollo?" said Oakum, in the same low tone, for he was awake
+now to the fact that something was wrong.  "Injins?"
+
+"No, sah, I tink not; but you come out here, sah, where de oder
+gentleman not hear, and I tell you."
+
+Oakum squabbled with 'Pollo every day, but they were very old shipmates,
+and the rough sailor had the most abundant confidence in the black, so
+he drew on his trousers, and cautiously followed him to the foot of the
+steps, where 'Pollo sat down, and Oakum knelt by his side.
+
+"Now, then, what's up?" growled Oakum.
+
+"I tell you, sah, reckly, but first must 'fess somefin to you."
+
+"Go ahead then, my hearty," was the reply.
+
+"Well, sah, while I busy all de mornin' in my galley, I see de beauful
+lump of silber brought up ober and ober again, and I see Mass' Jone and
+noder sailor busy knock off de shell and tuff, and frow him all of a
+heap."
+
+"Yes, and there it lies now on deck," said Sam, "instead of being shyed
+overboard.  What o' that?"
+
+"Well, sah, no able to sleep 'cause of dat, and so I get out of my
+hammock and creep all soft like on deck."
+
+"What, did you get some of the bits o' shell in your blanket."
+
+"No, sah, no," chuckled 'Pollo.  "You know me, Mass' Sam Oakum, sah, we
+berry ole friend, and go froo deal ob trouble togedder."
+
+"Well, yes, 'Pollo, old man, we have had a hardship or two, but what o'
+that?"
+
+"Why, sah, I 'fess eberything to you, sah, and tell you all."
+
+"Heave ahead, then."
+
+"Well, sah, I no tink it berry wrong, sah, cause there such a debble ob
+a lot ob silber, but while I watch Mass' Jone and de sailor chip, chip,
+chip at de shell to knock 'em off I see dem knock little bit ob silber
+too some time, and one time dey fro lump of shell down.  I quite sure
+got big piece of silber inside."
+
+"And you've been up on deck to get hold of it, eh?"
+
+"Yes, Mass' Oakum, sah, dat's him."
+
+"Hand over, and let's feel the weight on it, 'Pollo, old man, only you
+needn't do that, my lad.  We found the spot for the govnors, and they'll
+come down hansome."
+
+"Yes, Mass' Oakum, sah, but I tink it great pity waste anyting, eben bit
+ob fat, so no like see bit ob silber fro overboard."
+
+"Where's the stuff; 'Pollo?"
+
+"I no got um, sah, dat's why I came to ask you."
+
+"But is it so heavy as all that, 'Pollo?"
+
+"No, sah, you no understand.  I come on deck, find de silber, and I find
+someting else."
+
+"What's that?" said Oakum sleepily.
+
+"I find piece ob de crew, sah, all sit togedder in a corner, hatchin'
+mutiny."
+
+"What?" exclaimed Oakum, whom these words galvanised into an excited
+state.
+
+"Hatch de mutiny, sah."
+
+"I've good as expected as much," exclaimed Oakum, giving his leg a slap.
+"Heave out, and let's rouse the skipper.  The beggars mean treachery."
+
+"We better go softly then, Mass' Oakum, sah, or we get knife in de
+ribs."
+
+"Right, 'Pollo," said Oakum; "let's investigate first and see."
+
+Creeping softly up the ladder he just raised his head above the coamings
+of the hatchway, and peered cautiously round, but seeing nothing he drew
+himself the whole way out, and lay down on deck, 'Pollo following him on
+the instant.
+
+"Well?" whispered Oakum, "what's their bearings?"
+
+'Pollo, for answer, crawled away into the darkness, and returned at the
+end of a couple of minutes to announce that they were all gone.
+
+"Look here, Master 'Pollo," growled Oakum in a whisper; "if you've woke
+me out of a fine sleep to humbug me, you and I will have a row."
+
+"I quite suah, sah, dat free sailor fellow set under de bulwark, sah,
+hatch mutiny."
+
+"Come and have a look round," said the old fellow, and together they
+went softly to the man who had the watch forward, to find that he had
+heard nothing, though a sharper investigator than Oakum would have come
+to the conclusion that the fellow had been fast asleep.
+
+A similar result followed the journey aft, when with a growl Oakum
+walked straight back to the hatchway, where he turned round.
+
+"Lookye here, 'Pollo, old man, you get to your hammock and have a good
+night's rest, or you'll be rolling into the fire fast asleep to-morrow,
+and burning those beautiful curls of yourn.  And lookye here, too, my
+lad, you leave that there silver rubbish alone, and trust to what the
+skippers and the govnors give you for reward.  Good-night."
+
+"Dah!" cried 'Pollo, sulkily, "I don't care who come and take de ship
+now.  I no say word about more.  Only get laugh at;" and muttering
+volubly to himself, he crept back to his hammock, and the next minute he
+was lying fast asleep with his mouth open.
+
+The morning broke bright and beautiful, with the golden sunshine
+glinting through the tall columns of the palm-trees ashore, and lighting
+up the dark vistas of the jungle in the most wonderful manner; but the
+thoughts of all on board were directed not to the golden sunshine, save
+that it was available for the manner in which it lit up the depths of
+the clear sea; and all that day in steady turns Dutch, Mr Parkley, and
+Rasp went down, working away clearing out the sand, and sending up the
+iron buckets laden with silver.
+
+Careful probing with the iron rod had shown them that the space in which
+the treasure lay was not great, only spread over a portion of the lower
+part of the old galleon of about twelve feet by sixteen; everywhere else
+the rod would penetrate to any depth, save where it came in contact with
+the old hardened ribs of the ship, or portions of its keel, and they
+gave forth to the touch such unmistakable signs of what the opposing
+material was that the adventurers were quite content.
+
+A receptacle had been prepared for the treasure in the hold, and the way
+to this was down the cabin stairs, strong bulkheads cutting this off
+from the other portions of the vessel; and down here continuously, after
+the shelly concretions, where they existed, had been knocked off, was
+carried bucket after bucket of ingots, which Mr Jones and Oakum stacked
+as regularly as they would lie, while the captain superintended and kept
+watch on deck.
+
+The men worked admirably: their wonder at the richness of the find
+passing away as the silver became common to their sight, for it was shot
+out of the buckets on to the deck, hammered even, and thrown about as if
+it was so much stone.
+
+There were two or three alarms of sharks, but an occasional cartridge
+fired under water at a distance from the ship had the desired effect of
+scaring the monsters away.
+
+Rasp worked even harder than Dutch, giving as his reason that they ought
+to make hay while the sun shone; and certainly he made a goodly addition
+to the silver stack, while Mr Parkley was not far behind his partner.
+The doctor, Mr Wilson, and even John Studwick helped, by cleaning the
+ingots as they were raised by the sailors in the buckets, and emptied
+out on deck, while Bessy Studwick, Hester, and 'Pollo aided by being
+always ready with refreshments as they were needed, and besides kept a
+lookout.
+
+For it was determined to make the best use they could of the daylight,
+and consequently their meals were snatched in the little intervals of
+work.  Even the men forbore to grumble at being kept without their
+regular food, for there was a novelty in their task.
+
+The sand caused a great deal of trouble to the divers, but this was
+steadily mastered, and when at sunset the task was set aside for the
+night, and, wearied out, the adventurers sat down to the repast 'Pollo
+had prepared and the steward set out, the question was asked in a
+whisper, what was the value of the treasure recovered.  Mr Parkley, who
+had been below, could only say--
+
+"Many thousands."
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
+
+A GOOD RESOLUTION.
+
+The next day and the next and the next passed rapidly in the same toil;
+and work, rest, and refreshment were all that were thought of.  Even
+Dutch had been seized now by the thirst for wealth, and, hardly looking
+at Hester, he toiled on at his task, while she, pale and rigid, kept
+watch over him, never once gaining confidence as she saw his many
+descents, but always tortured by the horror of that first day.
+
+To her great relief, though, Laure had hardly noticed her, and there
+seemed to be an unspoken truce existing between them.  She could see
+that he was one of the most industrious of the workers, and she
+shuddered as she felt why this was, and knew that some terrible
+catastrophe might ere now have taken place on the schooner, only that
+Laure wanted the divers to do their work to the full before he asserted
+himself.
+
+And yet she dared not speak, feeling that to utter a warning would be to
+sign her husband's death-warrant, while he, giving no heed to, perhaps
+not crediting, her sufferings, passed her by at times without a look.
+
+But a change was rapidly approaching, and it took place so suddenly as
+almost to surprise Hester herself.
+
+The only thing that had disturbed the harmony of the past week had been
+the bitter opposition of John Studwick to the advances made by the young
+doctor.  So far from the presence of a medical man on board being of
+advantage to the invalid, it had served to irritate and annoy him, and
+more than once he had angrily turned his back and drawn his sister away
+with the petty jealousy of a child more than a man, all which the doctor
+had taken in quite good part, while Bessy had more than one hearty cry
+to herself, as she called it.
+
+Hester and she were like sisters now, and in consequence a coolness
+existed towards Dutch, who saw nothing, however, but, miser-like,
+gloated over the enormous wealth he was helping to pile up for himself
+and partner.
+
+It was on the ninth day of the diving that, all elate, and
+congratulating themselves on the calm and delightful weather that had
+attended their efforts, the task began once more.  The sand had been
+well mastered, and great half-rotten, water-hardened pieces of timber
+had been removed, and the silver was sent up, from the ease with which
+it was obtained, at a greater rate than ever.
+
+Dutch had been down five times, and he was now down for the sixth,
+having succeeded Mr Parkley, and wading to the hole that had been made,
+after filling the bucket with some difficulty, the silver having now
+become scarce, he took his bar and tried to remove a piece of blackened
+wood that showed plainly in the mid-day sun.
+
+It seemed quite fast, but a good wrench moved it, and, lifting it with
+ease, Dutch carried it a few paces and thrust it between two of the ribs
+behind him.
+
+A man shut up in a diver's helmet and suit is not in a condition to feel
+much elation, but Dutch's heart beat rapidly as he resumed and stooped
+to gaze down at what he had found.  There was no mistake, though.  The
+hold of the wreck had been cleared from side to side, and there was
+evidently no more silver--in fact, as far as it was concerned, the
+treasure was won.  He tried the iron probe to find sand or wood--sand or
+wood, forward or aft, while, of course, the possibility of anything
+being found to right or left was bounded by the old ribs which now stood
+out clear to the keel.
+
+But here, aft of the silver treasure, and separated originally, no
+doubt, by a strong timber partition, one of the timbers of which Dutch
+had wrenched away, dull red and glistening, totally free from shelly
+concretion, but in places bound together by a fine sand, lay, as he
+cleared away the covering from the surface, and plainly marked out by
+the black wood that surrounded it on three sides, forming a great
+chest-like place about four feet by six, but whose sides, of black
+rotten timber, were ten inches thick, what was evidently of greater
+value than the mass of silver they had obtained.
+
+For there before him lay neatly packed, as they had been by busy hands
+at least two hundred and fifty years before, hundreds upon hundreds of
+little rough ingots of gold.  Not a bar was displaced, for the massive
+framework in which they had been stowed, though rotten, had not given
+way like what had probably surrounded the silver, which lay tossed about
+at random.
+
+"Wealth, wealth, rich gold," muttered Dutch, as he signalled for more
+air; and then, looking more closely at his find, he could see by
+sweeping away the sand that slowly trickled back, as if eager to cover
+the treasure it had held secret so long, that the gold had not been
+packed as he had supposed, but had evidently been in little wooden
+boxes, which had rotted quite away, the places of the wood being filled
+up by sand, which lay in rectangular lines.
+
+"The silver has all been saved without doubt," said Dutch to himself as
+he gazed at his find, and thought of the delight with which the news
+would be received by his partner.  Then he turned to get the bucket and
+fill it, wishing himself on deck when it arrived there to watch the
+astonishment of those who emptied it.
+
+As he moved he had again to signal for more air, and looking down he saw
+the sand slowly trickling back over the gold, so that in a very few
+moments it would have been covered.
+
+He picked up the shovel, meaning to throw the sand in that part more
+effectually away, when once more the difficulty of breathing attacked
+him.
+
+He signalled for more air, but no more came, neither to his next signal;
+and feeling that something must be wrong with the apparatus, he was
+already on his way to the steps, when he received a signal to come up;
+and on reaching the surface, with the air becoming each moment more
+deficient, he was quickly helped on board and relieved of his helmet.
+
+"I couldn't help it, Mr Dutch," exclaimed Rasp, "the leather's giving
+way on the piston, and we must have a good repair."
+
+"But it's held out just long enough," said Mr Parkley, "for Rasp tells
+me we've got to the end, and he only just left you a little of the
+silver to send up."
+
+"Yea, Mr Pug, I tried all round, but there was nothing but wood and
+sand--wood and sand everywhere.  'Cept what you've sent up, I say there
+wasn't a bit more silver left."
+
+"Why didn't you say so before I went down?" said Dutch.
+
+"Because I wanted to hear what you thought, and let you judge for
+yourself," growled Rasp, handling a screw-hammer.
+
+As they spoke, the men who had been pumping and hauling gathered round,
+evidently eager to hear what was said, and this made Dutch alter the
+words he was about to utter.
+
+"Rasp is right," he said, "I have sent up the last of the silver."
+
+"And have you tried well round with the rod?"
+
+"Everywhere," said Dutch, "and touched the ship's timbers right down
+into the sand.  There isn't another bar of silver, I should say."
+
+"Well," said Mr Parkley, "man's never satisfied.  I was quite ready to
+get more.  There, my lads, we'll clean up our apparatus."
+
+"Yes," said the captain, "and clear the decks; they want it badly
+enough.  You've worked well, my lads, and you shall have a bit of a
+feast for this.  'Pollo shall prepare you a supper, and we'll drink
+success to our next venture."
+
+The men gave a bit of a cheer, but on the whole they looked rather
+disappointed, and Dutch, he hardly knew why, held his peace about the
+gold.  One thing was evident: nothing could be done to get it on deck
+till the worn valve of the air-pump had been repaired, and this Rasp
+declared would take him all the afternoon, for he would have to apply
+new leathers and india-rubber.
+
+So the diving suits were hung up to dry, the helmets, polished dry and
+clean, and placed upon their stands.  Mr Parkley and the doctor, who
+had looked upon this part as more in his province--Mr Parkley said
+because it helped to destroy life--had coiled up the wires, emptied the
+battery, and placed the dynamite in safety, and the rough shelly matter
+was thrown over the side, while Dutch, who had still kept his discovery
+to himself, was down below close to the end of the wind-sail--that
+canvas funnel that took down a constant current of fresh air--smoking a
+cigar with Mr Wilson, the naturalist, who was chatting away about his
+birds, and his determination to have another run or two on shore to
+shoot, asking his companion to accompany him.
+
+"It would do the ladies so much good, too, I'm sure," said Mr Wilson;
+"and really, Mr Pugh, I never dare speak to Miss Studwick now," he
+added with a sigh, "for if I do, her brother looks daggers at me, and if
+I mention Mrs Pugh, you look just as cross."
+
+Dutch had been saying "Yes" and "No" in amusing manner, hardly hearing
+what his companion said, but the mention of his wife's name made him
+start angrily round and glare at the speaker.
+
+"There, that's just how Mr Studwick, junior, looks at me," said the
+naturalist simply.  "A regular jealous, fierce look.  I wish you would
+not treat me so, Mr Pugh," he continued earnestly, and with a pleading
+look in his weak, lamblike face, "for I like you, I do, indeed.  I
+always have liked you, Mr Pugh, and how you can fancy I have
+dishonourable ideas about Mrs Pugh I can't think.  It shocks me, Mr
+Pugh, it does, indeed."
+
+"My dear fellow," said Dutch, smiling, half in amusement, half in
+contempt, "I never did think any such thing."
+
+"Then why do you look at me so?" continued Wilson, mildly.  "You see,"
+he said, with gathering enthusiasm, "I love Miss Studwick very dearly,
+but I seem to have no hope whatever.  But why are you so angry?"
+
+"There, there, there, don't talk about it," said Dutch, shaking the
+naturalist's hand.  "These are matters one don't like to talk about."
+
+"Yes, yes, of course," said Wilson, looking at him wistfully.  "But you
+won't mention what I said."
+
+"As to your love confidences," said Dutch smiling, "they are safe with
+me; but look here, Wilson, you are better as you are--better as you
+are."
+
+"You think so, perhaps," said the young man; "but I do not.  You are
+angry with Mrs Pugh for something: that is all.  She is very pretty,
+but perhaps she is a little imprudent," he added simply.
+
+"What do you mean?" exclaimed Dutch angrily.
+
+"Don't be cross with me, Mr Pugh.  Perhaps I am wrong."
+
+"Speak!  What do you mean?" exclaimed Dutch, panting.
+
+"I only thought she ought to be more particular, perhaps, as a lady, and
+not speak to the dark mulatto sailor."
+
+"Have--have you seen her speaking to--to that man?" said Dutch, with his
+breath coming thick and short.
+
+"Yes, I did last night," said Wilson; "but I did not mention it to
+anyone else, and of course she was only doing it out of kindness, for
+she is very amiable."
+
+"When--when was it?" panted Dutch, whose face flushed with shame and
+anger that he should be stooping to ask such questions.
+
+"Just after dark, when you diving people were having your meal below.
+They parted, though, directly."
+
+"Thanks; say no more about this," said Dutch, more calmly.  "Perhaps it
+looks a little imprudent, but, as you say, she is so amiable and kind to
+the men that her actions are easily misconstrued."
+
+Dutch rose to go on deck, for the air in the cabin seemed to stifle him,
+but Wilson arrested his steps.
+
+"But you will come if we have a shooting expedition, Mr Pugh?" he
+exclaimed.  "You have not been ashore yet, but spending your time over
+this dreadful treasure-hunting, when the treasures ashore are a thousand
+times more beautiful."
+
+"I will see--perhaps--I cannot say," replied Dutch; and he stumbled on
+deck to stand watching Rasp, who was busy over the air-pump, which he
+had taken all to pieces, but as it was close upon dusk he was collecting
+the various screws and placing them loosely in their proper holes before
+covering all over with a tarpaulin to keep off the heavy night dew that
+hung in drops each morning from every rail.
+
+The words of Wilson, the simple-hearted naturalist, had so troubled
+Dutch that his mind was once more in a whirl.  Till then he had been
+gradually getting into a calm, resigned state, and accepting the
+inevitable; but now to hear such remarks as these about his wife's
+conduct was simply maddening him, and as he went and leaned over the
+side, gazing down into the pure water where the golden treasure lay, it
+was forgotten mostly in the trouble of his heart, and he made up his
+mind that he would see Hester and demand some full explanation of her
+conduct, and so end this terrible suspense.
+
+"I will know," he muttered; and as he rose he felt surprised at the
+lapse of time, for the short tropic twilight had given place to intense
+darkness while he had been brooding over his troubles, and now it
+occurred to him that he had not told Mr Parkley about the gold.
+
+"I'll see him now," he said; and he was turning to go to the cabin
+stairs when the low musical voice of his wife fell upon his ear, and
+though the darkness was so great that he could not see her he was aware
+that she was close at hand in conversation with some one whose voice
+seemed familiar.
+
+He could not make out a word, but it was evident that whoever was
+speaking to Hester was addressing her in a low, passionate tone, while
+her replies were almost inaudible.
+
+Who was it?  Not the mulatto: his peculiar, harsh, grating voice was too
+familiar.  This was the voice of some one who made his nerves thrill
+with rage and indescribable emotion; and yet in his confusion and
+excitement he could not make out who it could be.
+
+"I cannot play the spy like this," said Dutch to himself, and, raging as
+he was with curiosity and mortification, he walked away; but his agony
+was unbearable, and, turning back, he approached the spot once more, to
+hear a half-stifled cry for help; then there was the noise of a slight
+struggle, and he darted forward to strike himself against the foremast
+and stagger back half-stunned, and lean against the side to collect his
+scattered thoughts.
+
+For his forehead had come violently into collision with the mast, and
+for a few minutes memory forsook her seat, and a strange sense of
+sickness accompanied the oblivion.
+
+This soon passed off, though, and now, thoroughly roused, Dutch retraced
+his steps, going with outstretched hands to the spot whence the voices
+had seemed to proceed, to find all perfectly still.
+
+"But she was here," he muttered moodily; and recalling his determination
+to insist upon a full explanation, Dutch walked straight to the cabin
+occupied by Bessy Studwick and his wife, and stood listening for a few
+moments before he knocked.
+
+He could hear voices behind him, where it was evident that the captain
+and his friends were gathered, and upon listening more attentively he
+learned what he wished to know, but was never in doubt about--namely,
+the presence of Hester in the little cabin.
+
+She was there, though, for he heard some one talking in a low tone, and
+that there was a low sob.
+
+He waited no longer but knocked.
+
+There was no reply.
+
+He knocked again, and there was a rustling sound within which made his
+heart beat heavily, the blood rushed to his eyes, and a strange swimming
+affected his brain, as the horrible suspicion crossed his mind that it
+was not Bessy Studwick's voice he had heard, but the same that he had
+listened to on deck.
+
+Fighting against the dizzy sensation, and striving to become calm, he
+raised his hands and stood in the attitude of one about to hurl himself
+against the door and burst it from its fastenings; but something seemed
+to restrain him, and he knocked again, and this time plainly enough, he
+heard Hester's voice in an excited whisper say,--
+
+"He is there! pray, pray, don't open the door."
+
+It never occurred to Dutch that his wife could not know that it was he
+who knocked, for the hard jealousy that he had taken to his heart
+suggested and thought but evil of the woman he had sworn to love and
+protect.  It was not Bessy Studwick, then, who was with her, and they
+dared not open the door.  He had given up before, and sought no revenge;
+this time he would have it if he died.
+
+"Open this door," he said in a low deep whisper, full of the rage he
+felt, for in his mad cunning he told himself that if he raised his voice
+or broke in the door, he would alarm the occupants of the other cabin.
+
+There was a dead silence for a few moments, and he was about to make a
+fresh demand as his hands clenched, and the veins in his forehead stood
+out throbbing from the excess of his wild emotion.
+
+"Will you open this door?" he hissed again savagely, with his lips close
+to the panel.
+
+"No," exclaimed a firm voice.  "Make the slightest attempt to enter
+again, and I will alarm the ship."
+
+Dutch Pugh's hands dropped to his side and a sigh like a groan burst
+from his lips as he staggered away on deck, and going to the side rested
+his aching head upon the rail.
+
+"Am I mad?" he said to himself.  "That was Bessy Studwick.  Could it
+have been her I heard talking here on deck?  No, that was impossible,
+for there was the struggle.  Oh!  Hester, Hester, my darling, forgive me
+if I am judging you wrongfully; I'd give my life to believe you true,
+and yet again to-night I am so ready to accuse you in my heart.
+
+"It is no use, I will not lead this life of hell upon earth: she must--
+she shall explain her conduct.  There was some reason more than I know
+for her coming on board here.  Her conversations with that mulatto.
+That meeting to-night.  Ha! is it possible?  Yes!  I have it at last:
+Studwick was right: Laure's influence still with us.  Bah!  I believe I
+am half-mad," he said, with a contemptuous ejaculation.  "I will see her
+in the morning, and this trouble shall be cleared away."
+
+As he spoke he went down to the cabin he shared with the doctor, feeling
+lighter of heart for the resolution he had made, and telling himself
+that half his trouble might have been saved had he spoken to his wife.
+"She might even have come out of the trial unscathed," he said, with a
+strong feeling of elation, and worn out mentally and bodily he threw
+himself half dressed into his berth, after opening the little window,
+for the heat was stifling.
+
+"A good resolution at last," muttered Dutch as he laid his head upon his
+pillow, and as he dropped off to sleep listening to the lapping of the
+water against the schooner's side, the sound seemed to form itself into
+a repetition of the words--"Too late, too late, too late," until he fell
+into a heavy sleep.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
+
+HESTER'S TRIALS.
+
+That evening, for the second time in obedience to a fierce demand from
+Laure, Hester Pugh crept timidly on deck as soon as it was dark, and
+then repenting of her venture she was about to retreat when she felt a
+grasp like steel clasp her wrist, and in a low voice that made her
+shudder Laure began to upbraid her, speaking passionately of his love,
+and telling her that it was his wish to win her by his tenderness, and
+not by force, while she in turn told him of his cruelties, and piteously
+pleaded for mercy.
+
+"Yes," he said at last, "the same mercy that you have had on me," and
+flinging his arms round her he drew her shuddering form tightly to his
+breast.
+
+"Make a sound," he hissed in her ear, "and you slay Dutch Pugh, perhaps
+all here on board except my party.  Be silent and you shall be my happy,
+loving wife, a princess in wealth and station."
+
+Maddened by her position, Hester struggled fiercely and lettered a
+stifled cry for help, and at the same moment almost there came the sound
+of approaching feet, followed by the sound of a blow; and half fainting,
+she found herself loosened from the arms that held her, and ran, how she
+never knew, to her cabin, to fall exhausted into Bessy Studwick's arms.
+
+"Lock the door, lock the door!" she panted, clinging tightly to her
+friend.  "Oh Bessy, Bessy, if I could but die."
+
+Bessy locked the door, and returned wondering to Hester's side.
+
+"Hester, darling, your husband must be a perfect monster," she cried,
+taking the sobbing woman in her arms.
+
+"No, no, no," wailed Hester, "he is all that is good and noble and true,
+but he thinks me wicked."
+
+"How dare he treat you like this, if he does!" cried Bessy, indignantly,
+as she smoothed Hester's dishevelled hair.
+
+"No, no, no, it was not he," panted Hester.
+
+"Not he?" exclaimed Bessy.  "Do you mean to tell me that you have been
+on deck to meet some one else?"
+
+"Yes, yes, and I am afraid; oh, I am afraid," whispered Hester, with a
+shudder, as she clung more closely to her friend.
+
+"Hester Pugh," said Bessy, gravely; and her voice sounded cold and
+strange.  "You must explain.  I cannot wonder at poor Dutch's conduct if
+you act like this."
+
+"Bessy!" wailed Hester, clinging convulsively to her, "don't speak like
+that.  Don't you turn from me too.  I am innocent; I am innocent.  Oh
+that I were dead--that I were dead!"
+
+"Hush, hush, hush," whispered Bessy, trying to soothe her, for she was
+alarmed at the violence of her companion's grief.  "Tell me all about
+it, Hester.  Am I not worthy of your confidence?"
+
+"Oh, yes, yes, yes," sobbed Hester, "but I dare not--I dare not tell
+you."
+
+"Dare not, Hester?"
+
+"No, no, no," she moaned.  "Hush! listen! he is there.  Bessy," she
+whispered, clinging to her, "kill me if you will, but do not let him
+touch me again."
+
+As she whispered this appeal there came Dutch's summons at the door,
+repeated again, with at last Bessy's stern reply, and then silence.
+
+"He is gone," said Bessy at last, her own heart beating furiously with
+emotion.
+
+"No, no, he is waiting," wailed Hester, clinging to her; "he is always
+watching me."
+
+"Hester," said Bessy, sternly, "who is that man?"
+
+"I dare not tell you," whispered Hester, with a shudder.
+
+"As an old friend of your husband, I insist upon your telling me.  This
+is cowardly weakness."
+
+"Yes, yes, I know," wailed Hester, in her helpless misery; "but for his
+sake, I dare not tell you."
+
+"And you have not told your husband?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Has he asked you?"
+
+"Yes--yes," sobbed Hester.  "Oh, if I could but die!"
+
+"Shame on you," said Bessy.  "Hester, I loved your husband very dearly
+once, and thought it all past now; and I have tried to love you for his
+sake.  I will not be a partner in this mystery.  To-morrow morning he
+shall hear all I know."
+
+"No, no, no," cried Hester, in affright.  "You must not tell.  For
+heaven's sake do not speak a word.  Perhaps help may come."
+
+"I shall tell him," said Bessy firmly.
+
+"You do not know what you say," wailed Hester, growing more pallid by
+the faint light of the lamp.
+
+"I know a true honest man is being deceived, and that some scoundrel has
+frightened his weak young wife into silence, and--"
+
+She said no more, for Hester rose horror-stricken and threw herself upon
+her knees, imploring her silence, and then, utterly overcome by her
+emotion, fainted dead away.
+
+So long-continued was the swoon that Bessy was about to summon
+assistance when there was a faint sigh, and she revived.
+
+"I was just going to send for Mr Meldon," said Bessy, kindly, as she
+kissed her.
+
+"That is not as you kissed me to-day, Bessy," said Hester, sadly.  "I
+would tell you gladly--all--all, if I only dared."
+
+She hid her face shudderingly, and then, clinging tightly to Bessy, they
+remained silent for what must have been quite a couple of hours, when
+Bessy, who had been dozing off to sleep, suddenly started up to find
+Hester awake and standing up in a listening attitude.
+
+"What is it?" said Bessy, in alarm.  "Hush! do you not hear?" whispered
+Hester, hoarsely.  "He is maddened and has turned upon them.  Oh Dutch,
+my husband!  God--protect--"
+
+She said no more, but stood with white face and starting eyes,
+listening, for at that moment there was the sound of struggling
+overhead, a hoarse shriek as of a man in mortal agony, a heavy fall--a
+rustling noise; and then, just by the little round window of their
+cabin, a heavy splash.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
+
+A RACE FOR LIFE.
+
+That had been a tremendously hot day, but in the excitement of the
+silver-seeking the weather had been unnoticed; but as the night came on
+it seemed almost suffocating to those who were not moved by such
+passionate emotions as Dutch Pugh and his wife.
+
+Sam Oakum had been till quite late standing chewing his tobacco, as he
+looked over the side watching the golden green water that heaved gently
+against the stern of the vessel, for, moored as she was, she did not
+swing with the tide, and after a time he went and joined 'Pollo, whose
+galley was, after all, no hotter than the rest of the ship.
+
+From where they sat talking in a low voice, the encounter between Laure
+and Hester had not been heard, and when from time to time Oakum thrust
+out his head and took a look round to see the faint glow from the cabin
+skylight, all was as still as death, and he drew his head in again and
+went on talking.
+
+"Don't gawp like that, 'Pollo," said Oakum at last, as his companion
+yawned in a fashion that was quite shark-like.
+
+"I berry sleep and tired, Mass' Oakum, sah; I had berry hot day."
+
+"There, I'll soon wake you up, my lad."
+
+"No, sah, I hope you do nuffum ob de sort, for I want go asleep."
+
+Oakum chuckled softly to himself, and then, just as 'Pollo was in the
+midst of a second yawn, he said:
+
+"I wonder how much apiece the governors mean to give us."
+
+'Pollo was wide awake on the instant.
+
+"I no know, Mass' Oakum, sah, but dey get so much for demselves dat they
+give us great big whack."
+
+"I dunno," said Sam.  "We ought to have made a bargain.  But there,
+let's go down and turn in."
+
+"No, sah, I tank you," said 'Pollo; "it ten time more hot down below
+dere dan in my galley, where de fire full go.  Nuff to cook all de boys
+in de forksel, and make 'em come up brown in de morning.  I not bit
+sleepy now, and when I am I lie down here on de deck and hab rest."
+
+"Well it is a bit better up here, 'Pollo, for you can breathe."
+
+"Yes, sah; can get de wind 'nuff to kip going.  But 'bout de silber,
+sah.  You tink dey get up all from down below?"
+
+"Yes, 'Pollo, and I suppose we shall start next to get to another sunken
+wreck, and unload her."
+
+"I tink, sah, I take de schooner close up to dat old wreck off de lilly
+island."
+
+"So do I, 'Pollo; and what's more I will."
+
+"I tink, sah, we ought get berry big lot ob silber for ourselb.  If I
+tought dey turn shabby, I say let Mass' Oakum and me go and get de whole
+ob de oder ship and cut de silber in two half, and take one apiece."
+
+"Very pretty, 'Pollo, if we could do it: but as we can't, let's be
+content with what we get from the governors."
+
+"Yah--yah--yah--yah," laughed 'Pollo softly.
+
+"Now then, what are you grinning about?" said Oakum.
+
+"I tink, sah, about de sunken ship and de silber."
+
+"What of it?"
+
+"I tink, sah, how funny it am if we came out here, find de sunk ship,
+pull up all de silber, and den if we go and lose de ship somewheres
+else, and all de silber go to de bottom again."
+
+"I say, young fellow," growled Sam, "don't you get croaking like that.
+'Taint lucky."
+
+"No, sah; wouldn't be lucky lose all de silber again.  I tink I know how
+much I go to hab for my share."
+
+"Enough to make you an independent gentleman for life, 'Pollo."
+
+"You tink so, sah?" chuckled 'Pollo.
+
+"Sartin sure."
+
+"Den I wear white hankcher and white wescoat ebery day; and make some
+darn niggah clean my boots free times over.  Yah, yah, yah."
+
+"Here, I shall be smothered if I stop up here much longer, 'Pollo," said
+Oakum, stepping out upon the deck, where all was dark and silent, only a
+very faint light now coming up through the cabin skylight.
+
+"It am hot, sar, berry hot," said 'Pollo, and they stood at the side
+staring at the shore, where the undergrowth seemed to be lit up by a
+shower of fallen stars, which leaped and danced from leaf to leaf, while
+the very sea beneath them seemed alive with pale shining points of
+light, which glided softly along till some fish darted through the water
+and made the little starry dots flash into a long line of light.
+Against the side of the ship there seemed to be so much pale golden
+light rising and falling, showing the copper sheathing of the vessel,
+and surrounding it with a soft halo which made its shape just faintly
+outlined from stem to stern.  The cables, too, by which it was moored
+could be faintly traced as lines of light illuminated and sparkling
+right to the sand below, and for some little time the two men stood
+watching in silence.
+
+"Dat's shark," whispered 'Pollo, suddenly, as he pointed down to where
+the points of light flashed more vividly as they were agitated, and
+though they could not make out the shape of the monster, it was plain to
+see that some great fish was slowly gliding through the water.
+
+"What's he hanging about after?" said Oakum, watching the place
+intently.  "I should have thought it had been made too warm for them
+gentlemen, and they'd have give us a wide berth."
+
+"He know somebody go to die soon," said 'Pollo, in a low voice.  "Dat
+Mass' Studwick or pretty Missee Pugh."
+
+"Don't you talk humbug," said Oakum, with a growl.  "Phew! it's strange
+and hot; I shall go and turn in."
+
+"You soon turn out again.  Mass' Oakum, you go below.  De cockroach hab
+fine game night like dis hyar, sah, and de skeetas buzz bout like
+anyfing.  You top on deck and lay down under de awning.  Dey coming on
+deck dose oder chap half baked, sah."
+
+"How do you know?" growled Sam.
+
+"I hear some one, sah, just now come crawl up, and--Oh, Goramighty, who
+hit me on de head?"
+
+For just then there was a dull thud, a fall, and Sam Oakum felt himself
+seized from behind, and a hard hand placed over his mouth.
+
+He was too sturdy a fellow, though, to submit to that, and wrenching
+himself free he sent one of his assailants one way, and the other
+sprawling over the body of 'Pollo, and darting aside, he gave a spring,
+caught at the inner side of the main shrouds, swung his legs up, and as
+the two men ran in pursuit of him they passed beneath him in the
+darkness, and he climbed softly up higher and higher, then crawling
+round to the outside, and clung there, gazing down into the darkness
+below, feeling that he had had a narrow escape for his life.
+
+"The ship's been boarded in the dark," he muttered, as he listened
+attentively, seeing nothing, but making out something of the proceedings
+by the sounds below.
+
+Now came the noise of the cabin hatches being secured; then there were
+short, sharp orders here and there, followed by a struggle, a wild cry,
+and a heavy fall.  Then came the splash heard below in the cabin, and
+Oakum muttered to himself:
+
+"There's one poor fellow gone to his long home."
+
+Then he set himself to make out who it could be, but his attention was
+taken off directly by sounds of the alarm having spread below.
+
+"And now how about all the silver?" muttered Oakum.  "That's about the
+size of what this here means."
+
+Sam was right, for the ship had been seized for the sake of the silver
+found, and that which was to be discovered, for Laure had decided that
+it was not safe to stay any longer.  He had been waiting his time, and
+had there been no chance of discovery he intended to let Parkley and
+Dutch go from wreck to wreck, and obtain all the sunken treasure
+possible before seizing the vessel.  But now the plot seemed so ripe
+that if allowed to go further it might fail, so, exasperated by his
+encounter that evening, he had whispered his intentions to the men under
+his orders, unfortunately more than half the crew, and as Sam Oakum
+listened from aloft he could hear the scoundrels hurrying about, the
+hatches secured, and then proceedings followed that showed him that the
+alarm had fully spread.
+
+First there was the shivering of a skylight, Captain Studwick calling
+out to know what the noise meant, followed by beating and kicking at the
+door; and then several shots were fired followed by a dead silence,
+broken by Laure's voice giving orders in a sharp, business-like way.
+
+"I wonder where poor old 'Pollo is," said Sam Oakum as he sat upon his
+perch thinking, and by force of habit he took out his tobacco-box,
+helped himself to a bit, and began to consider about the perils of his
+position.  Where he was would do very well for now, he argued, but as
+soon as the day began to break he would be seen, and then the
+probabilities were that he would be shot down.
+
+"Leastwise, p'haps, they'll let me off as soon as I say I'll jyne 'em,
+but that won't come off.  Now, who's in this game, I wonder?  That
+yaller-skinned mulatto chap's one for a dollar, and there's roughs
+enough among those as came aboard with him to make up a pretty crew,
+I'll swear."
+
+Sam sat thinking while the captors of the vessel were pretty busy down
+below, and at last, one plug of tobacco being ended, he started upon
+another, but this time not being so cautious, or rather having his
+attention taken up by what was passing below, he closed the steel
+tobacco-box with a loud clear snap, and in the stillness of the night
+this sounded so clearly that he knew he must be discovered.
+
+To change his position was the work of a few moments, and while he was
+in the act of moving there was a sharp flash, and the report of a
+pistol, followed by another and another, the bullets whistling close by
+him.
+
+"There's some one up in the rigging," said Laure sharply.  "It's that
+black cook."
+
+"No," said another voice, "we fetched him down first off, and he's been
+pitched below."
+
+"Who is it, then?" said Laure sharply.
+
+"I think Oakum was on deck," said another voice.
+
+"Here you, Sam Oakum, come down," said Laure, in a clear, loud voice.
+"Come down and you shall not be hurt."
+
+"That's nice palaver after sending bullets to fetch a man down," said
+Sam to himself, "and after pitching one poor chap to the sharks.  I
+think I'll stay where I am."
+
+"Here, two of you to the port, and two to the starboard shrouds.  Take
+your knives with you, and if the scoundrel won't give in, fetch him down
+best way you can."
+
+Sam Oakum drew a long breath as he heard these words, and then, the
+rigging beginning to quiver, he set his teeth, and began to make
+cautiously for one of the stays, intending to get to the next mast if he
+could, and so steal down on deck, where, if he could contrive to reach
+the poop, he might climb over and join those below through the cabin
+windows.
+
+It was ticklish work, though, for as he glided and swung from place to
+place, he could hear by the hard breathing that he was closely pursued.
+Spider-like, too, the touching of the various ropes by his enemies gave
+him fair warning that he was in danger, though, unfortunately, his
+movements were in the same way telegraphed to his enemies.
+
+At last they came so near that his capture seemed certain, or if not
+capture, he felt sure that a blow from a knife would be his portion.
+For just as he was going to pass on to the shrouds he had reached, he
+felt by their vibration that some fresh men were coming up, and seizing
+a rope he swung himself out clear from the top and hung there, gently
+swaying about, hearing his pursuers pass close by him, so near that he
+could have stretched out one hand and touched them.
+
+As far as he could judge, he was now just over the cabin skylight, and
+his heart bounded, for somewhere about here ought to be the top of the
+wind-sail hung up in the rigging, so that the great canvas tube might
+convey the fresh air below to take the place of the hot.
+
+"If I could only reach that," thought Sam, "I might slip inside, and go
+down with a run into the cabin."
+
+He felt about gently for some few moments--not a very easy task,
+swinging as he was--and then to his great joy he felt his leg come in
+contact with the rope that suspended the sail, threw his legs round it,
+and slid down to the top; then, feeling for the opening in the side, he
+thrust in his leg and held on for a moment while he drew his knife and
+opened it with his teeth, determined to sell his life dearly if he
+should be assailed.
+
+It was well he did so, for, directly after squaring his elbows so as to
+make all the resistance possible to a rapid descent, he let himself
+glide into the long canvas sack; but, in spite of his efforts, he went
+down with a rapid run, not as he expected into the cabin, but upon the
+deck, where he lay struggling for a few moments before he could get his
+knife to work and rip up a sufficiently-large slit to allow of his
+rolling out, and then leaped to his feet, ready to meet the first attack
+that came.
+
+The darkness befriended him, for no one dared fire for fear of hitting a
+friend, and though the noise of his fall brought his enemies round, it
+was only to seize one another; and in the midst of the confusion he
+escaped, and dashed off in a hard race, closely pursued by half-a-dozen
+scoundrels, whose purpose evidently was to hunt him overboard.
+
+Twice over he ran right into some one's arms, and once he ran full tilt
+against an enemy, and sent him rolling over on to the deck.  Shouts and
+oaths rang around him, and over and over again poor Oakum felt that his
+only chance of escaping from one horrible death was by seeking another.
+
+"But no," he muttered, "I'm not going to be served like that;" and he
+dodged round mast, galley, and boat, crouching under bulwarks, and
+escaping over and over again by a miracle as he tried hard to think of
+some means of baffling his pursuers.  The cabin skylight was too
+strongly covered with wirework, he thought, or he would have tried to
+leap through; and as to leaping overboard, swimming beneath the cabin
+window, and calling to those who were prisoners to lower down a rope,
+that was not to be thought of after the sight he had seen that night in
+the luminous water.
+
+"I should be torn to pieces," he muttered.  "Take that, you mutinous
+ruffian," he added, as he struck out fiercely at one of his enemies,
+lying down the next moment flat on the deck, so that a pursuer fell over
+him, and fell with a crash.
+
+Try how he would, the fugitive was beaten; at every turn in the darkness
+an enemy seemed to spring up in his way, and as he heard the whish of
+blows directed at him he wondered he had escaped so long.
+
+But a man running for his life is hard to overtake, especially if he
+have the darkness for his ally: and so it was that at the end of five
+minutes, during which Sam had been a dozen times within an ace of being
+taken, he was still at large, standing panting close to the forecastle
+hatch, while his enemies were creeping cautiously up, ready to make a
+spring.
+
+"If I'm to be threw overboard," muttered Sam, "I won't go alone, anyhow.
+If the sharks is to be fed, they shall have a double allowance;" and
+setting his teeth with a vicious grating noise, he prepared for a run
+aft.
+
+The darkness was now more intense than ever, for a thick mist had come
+off the land, enshrouding the deck so that Sam could not see the knife
+he grasped in his hand, but his ears were strained so that he could make
+out the panting breath of his enemies as they came nearer and nearer,
+and to his horror he found that they had spread themselves right across
+the deck; and his imagination suggested that they had joined hands so as
+to make sure that he did not escape, literally dragging the deck from
+astern forward, so he knew that they were certain of him this time.
+
+His only chance seemed to be to run out on the bowsprit, and to try to
+get by one of the stays upon the foremast, but the men were so close
+that he felt sure they would cut him down before he had gone a yard.
+
+Crouching down, and backing, he was close to the capstan, when his foot
+came in contact with a fender--one of those heavy pads of cordage and
+network used to keep ships' sides from grinding on a stone wharf.
+
+In an instant he had caught it up, and raising it in both hands above
+his head he waited his time, and then, as the men closed up, he hurled
+it with all his force against the nearest, catching him full in the
+chest, and sending him down like a skittle, when, as he uttered a cry,
+the others believing that the man they sought to capture had sprung upon
+him, closed in with a shout, and Oakum dashed by them again.
+
+His triumph was but short-lived, for the men were after him directly,
+chasing him now more savagely than ever.  Once or twice his bare feet
+had slipped on the wet deck, and he had shuddered, believing it to be
+blood; and forgetting the place, as now, panting and nearly exhausted,
+he was running on, feeling that the time had come to stand at bay, one
+of his feet glided over the boards and as he made an effort to save
+himself by a leap, there was a heavy crash, a fall, and he knew no more.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
+
+AWAKENING.
+
+How long Dutch had been asleep he could not tell, but he was dreaming of
+some fresh trouble.  He was diving, and one of the sharks kept striking
+him blows on the helmet, the noise seeming to reverberate within his
+brain, when, making an effort, he dragged the helmet off so as to more
+clearly see his enemy, and strike at it with his knife, when he awoke to
+hear noises overhead, the beating of feet, and, as he leaped out of his
+cot, struggling, a horrible cry, and he stood paralysed as the next
+moment the cabin door was banged to, and sounds came as of ropes being
+piled upon it.
+
+"In God's name, what does this mean?" said the doctor, who had leapt out
+of his berth, and was hastily dressing.
+
+"Heaven only knows," replied Dutch.  "But quick!  Miss Studwick!  My
+wife!  Get to their cabin door.  Indians, perhaps, from the shore--an
+attack--we must save them."
+
+"Even at the expense of our lives," said the doctor in a low voice.
+"Have you taken my revolver, or my gun?"
+
+"No, no.  Mine are gone, too," exclaimed Dutch.  "Never mind, man, we
+have our hands: quick!"
+
+They rushed out of the cabin, nearly oversetting Mr Parkley and the
+naturalist; but, paying no heed, Dutch rushed to the little cabin where
+his wife was clinging to Bessy Studwick, tried the door to find it
+fastened, and then with one kick sent it off its hinges.
+
+"Hester!" he cried hoarsely, "Hester!"
+
+For answer she sprang to his neck, and clung there with a sigh of
+relief,--
+
+"This way," he said, "into the main cabin.  Thank heaven, you are safe."
+
+"And you," she moaned, as she felt his strong arms round her; and
+catching one of his hands convulsively she pressed it upon her heart,
+while her lips sought for his in vain.  "Dutch--Dutch--husband--call me
+wife once more."
+
+"I'd give my life to do so, Hester," he whispered passionately, the
+unknown peril of the night having broken down the icy barrier that had
+existed for so long.
+
+"Dutch," she whispered back, "if truth to you deserves the right to be
+called your wife, you may speak the word."
+
+"But it is no time to speak now," he exclaimed.  "Some terrible calamity
+has befallen us."
+
+"Yes, yes, it was what I feared," she moaned, clinging more tightly to
+him.
+
+"You feared," he said.  "But stop!  Now in this time of peril, Hester,
+when in a few moments we may be separated for ever, tell me the truth;
+you were speaking to some man, and even to-night?"
+
+"Yes, Dutch," she said.
+
+"It was that mulatto?"
+
+"Mulatto!" she said bitterly.  "It was Senor Laure."
+
+"Laure," he exclaimed.  "Yes, I half suspected him, and you knew he was
+on board and did not warn us," he added, in a tone of disgust, as he
+tried to free himself from his wife's embrace.
+
+"I could only warn you at the peril of your life, Dutch," she said.  "He
+threatened me."
+
+They were interrupted by the voice of the captain shouting for the door
+to be opened.
+
+"Are you there, doctor?" said Dutch.
+
+"Yes," was the reply.
+
+"And Miss Studwick?"
+
+"I am here," said Bessy, quietly.  "Hester, give me your hand."
+
+It was pitch dark, and they dared not light a lamp for fear of making
+marks of themselves for those on deck, especially as, in reply to the
+captain breaking the cabin skylight, a couple of pistol shots were fired
+down, fortunately without effect.
+
+Just then Captain Studwick spoke.
+
+"I cannot understand this," he said.  "There must be some treachery
+somewhere, or we have been boarded in the night.  It cannot be an Indian
+attack.  Dutch Pugh, can Laure have overtaken us?"
+
+"Overtaken us!  Poor children that we were to try to fight him with
+brains," said Dutch bitterly; "he has never let us out of his sight."
+
+"What!" cried Mr Parkley.
+
+"He has been on board from the first with half-a-dozen picked men."
+
+"And he was the mulatto?" cried Captain Studwick.  "Curse the fellow!
+Then we are indeed undone."
+
+There was a few moments' silence, and then Captain Studwick spoke again.
+
+"I always felt that there was something wrong--always.  Bear me witness
+that I did, Pugh, and yet I could not tell what it was."
+
+"You did," said Dutch, who was listening intently.
+
+"But this is no time for talking," cried Mr Parkley excitedly.  "The
+scoundrel! the villain! to outdo us like this; and at such a time, when
+we have just succeeded in getting the treasure.  Only to think of it, we
+have been working like this for him."
+
+"It has not come to that yet," said Dutch, quietly, and his voice
+sounded strangely in the dark.  "We are fastened down here, of course,
+Studwick?"
+
+"Yes, I have tried hard, but they have secured us," said the captain.
+
+"How many are we here?" said Dutch.
+
+"Don't talk like that, Mr Pugh," said Wilson, the naturalist.  "You
+never mean to fight."
+
+"Englishmen always mean to fight, Mr Wilson," said Dutch, sternly,
+"when there are women to protect."
+
+"That was well said," exclaimed a voice from the far end of the little
+saloon.  "I wish I was a strong, hearty man like you."
+
+"I wish so too, my boy," said Captain Studwick between his teeth.  "Poor
+lad, his soul is strong if his body is weak."
+
+"Answer to your names, you who are here," said Dutch; and in return he
+repeated those of the captain, Mr Parkley, the doctor, naturalist, and
+John Studwick.  "The ladies, I know, are here," he added.
+
+"Would to heaven they were not!" muttered the doctor.
+
+"There's more here nor you've called over," said a gruff voice.
+
+"That's Rasp," cried Mr Parkley eagerly.
+
+"Yes, and there's a couple o' sailors here too," said the old fellow,
+"on'y they've lost their tongues."
+
+"Who are they?" asked the captain, sharply.
+
+"Here's Dick Rolls here, capen," said a rough voice.
+
+"And who is that speaking?" said the captain.
+
+"Robert Lennie, your honour," was the reply.
+
+"The two men I suspected," whispered the captain to Dutch.  "We've been
+on the wrong scent throughout."
+
+"Miss Studwick had better go with my wife into the forecabin," said
+Dutch; and his lips trembled as at the words "my wife" he heard a faint
+sob.  Then there was a low rustling noise, and in a moment more all was
+still.
+
+"Now, captain, quickly," said Dutch; "had you not better serve out the
+arms?"
+
+"They would have been served out before now, Pugh," was the reply, "if
+we had had them."
+
+"You don't mean," gasped Dutch, as he recollected missing his own pistol
+from its shelf in the little cabin.
+
+"I mean that while our minds have been fixed on the silver," said the
+captain bitterly, "sharper brains than ours have been dead on seizing
+the golden opportunities.  I have searched and there is not a weapon
+left."
+
+A low murmur ran round the cabin; and then there was perfect silence, as
+they all stood there in the pitchy darkness and stifling heat--for the
+wind-sail had been withdrawn--listening intently to the sounds above,
+for it was evident now that some fresh disturbance was on foot--in fact,
+the noise of the discovery of Oakum now began to reach their ears,
+accompanied directly after by the sound of shots.
+
+"They are not all enemies on deck, then," said Dutch, eagerly.  "_Who_
+can that be?"
+
+"It must be Oakum or Mr Jones," exclaimed the captain.
+
+"Surely we have more true men on board than that," said Dutch, who in
+this time of emergency seemed to take the lead.
+
+"I hope so," was the captain's remark; and then once more there was
+silence on deck, following upon a sharp order or two that they could not
+make out.
+
+Just then Dutch felt a hand laid upon his arm.
+
+"Who is this?" he said, in a low voice.
+
+"It is I--Meldon," said the doctor in the same tone.  "Lean towards me,
+Mr Pugh."
+
+"What do you wish to say?" said Dutch.
+
+"Shall we be obliged to fight, Mr Pugh?" whispered the doctor.
+
+"Are you afraid, sir?" was the reply.
+
+"Perhaps I am; it is only natural, Mr Pugh," said the doctor.  "I have
+seen so much of death that I have learned to fear it more than a rough
+sailor or soldier, perhaps; but I was not speaking for myself."
+
+"I am glad of that," said Dutch, with something of a sneer, for he was
+annoyed at being interrupted at such a time.
+
+"You need not sneer, Mr Pugh," said the doctor quietly.  "What I fear
+is that if we come to some bloody struggle, it may mean death to some
+here."
+
+"It is pretty sure to, sir--especially to me," he muttered, "if I get
+him by the throat.  Who is that moving there?" he said aloud.
+
+"On'y me, Mr Pug," said a rough voice, and the doctor went on.
+
+"You misunderstand me, Mr Pugh," continued the doctor, in a whisper.
+"I mean that the shock might be fatal to young Studwick, and I am sure
+it would be, in her delicate state, to your wife."
+
+"My wife should have stayed ashore, sir," said Dutch, rather harsh, for
+he resented this interference.
+
+"Your words are very bitter, Mr Pugh," said the doctor, coldly, "and,
+excuse me, not manly at such a time.  Ever since that night when I was
+called in to Mrs Pugh, and she had that series of swoons--"
+
+"You called in to my wife," said Dutch, who was startled by the words;
+"that night?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Studwick sent for me, as I was close at hand.  Did you not
+know?"
+
+"No, no," said Dutch, "I was away from home.  I--I forgot--I did not
+know."
+
+"I mean when I found her so weak and ill.  You must know--that night I
+carried her up to bed."
+
+"Yes--yes," said Dutch, in a strange voice that he did not know for his
+own.  "You mean that night when you carried her in your arms--to her
+bedroom--there was a light there."
+
+"Of course.  Miss Studwick held it for me," said the doctor.  "I thought
+you would recollect."
+
+"Yes--yes," said Dutch strangely.  "I had forgotten.  My God, I must
+have been mad," he muttered.
+
+"I beg your pardon," said the doctor, in a low whisper.
+
+"Nothing, nothing; go on, sir, pray."
+
+"I am glad I have awakened your interest," said the doctor.  "You
+thought me officious, but indeed, Mr Pugh, she needs your care and
+thought.  That night I thought she would have died; some trouble, I
+fear, had given her incipient brain fever, and I really dread what may
+happen if she is subjected to this shock.  If anything can be done."
+
+"I shall see, I shall see," said Dutch hoarsely.  "It was you, then, who
+carried her up-stairs--not our regular practitioner," he added, with his
+voice trembling.
+
+"No," said the doctor; "I thought you knew."
+
+"Don't speak to me any more now, doctor," said Dutch, feeling for Mr
+Meldon's hand, and pressing it warmly.  "God bless you for this.  I
+shall never forget it."
+
+"It is nothing, Pugh, nothing," said the other warmly.  "Forgive me if I
+seemed to resent your words; I know you are much troubled now."
+
+"Hark!" exclaimed Dutch; "listen."
+
+There was a rush across the deck, evidently far forward, and once more
+silence.
+
+"Heaven forgive me!" said Dutch to himself; and then, in spite of the
+terrible peril they were in, he felt his way to the further cabin, and
+in a low voice whispered his wife's name.
+
+"Hester--here!"
+
+With a faint cry of joy, she stretched out her hands to him, for there
+was that in his voice which made her heart leap.
+
+"Dutch!  Dutch!" she whispered, as she wreathed her arms round his neck,
+and clung to him tightly.
+
+"Hester, darling," he whispered, "you should curse me, and not treat me
+so.  My darling, I have been mad, and have but just learned the truth.
+Forgive me, dear, forgive me.  One word, for I must go."
+
+"Forgive you?" she whispered back, as she pressed her lips to his in a
+long passionate kiss.  "Husband, dear husband, tell me you believe in me
+again."
+
+"Never to doubt you more, darling," he groaned.  "I cannot tell you now.
+Loose me--quickly--I must go."
+
+"No, no," she whispered; "not yet, not yet--one more word, Dutch, one
+more word."
+
+"Stand ready there, everyone," cried the captain, in a loud stern voice,
+"and close up, gentlemen.  Let every man aim at getting the weapons from
+the cowardly villains.  Be firm: we have right on our side."
+
+There was a sharp rustling noise, and the loud tramp of feet overhead;
+and then the captain's voice was heard once more out of the darkness.
+
+"Quick there!  Where is Dutch Pugh?  The scoundrels are coming down."
+
+The noise overhead increased as Dutch tore himself from his wife's arms,
+and hurried to join the defenders; but the captain's words were
+premature, as, after a few minutes, the sounds seemed to go forward once
+more and almost to cease, and just then Rasp's voice was heard.
+
+"I've been having a rummage about, and here's two or three tools to go
+on with.  S'pose you take this, Mr Pug, it's your shark knife; and
+here's one for you, Mr Parkley, and one for the captain.  Is there any
+gent as would like an axe?"
+
+"Give it to me," said the doctor.  "Have you anything for yourself?"
+
+"Only another chopper," said the old fellow, "but it's as sharp as a
+razor."
+
+The diving implements in Rasp's cabin had been forgotten by all save
+him, and these he now passed round, sending a thrill of satisfaction
+through all present, for it was like doubling their strength; and, as
+they all, well-armed now, stood round the door, there was a rush of feet
+overhead, the sound of curses, a heavy fall, and those below felt mad
+with rage at being unable to go to the aid of some one who was evidently
+fighting on their side, when there was a tremendous crash, and something
+heavy fell through the skylight to the floor by their side.
+
+In an instant Dutch sprang upon the man who had fallen through, held his
+knife at his throat, and hissed,--
+
+"If you stir, you're a dead man.  Stand ready to strike down the next
+one who comes through," he added to his friends.
+
+"Who's a-going to stir?" said a surly voice.  "I'm too beat out.  There,
+you needn't be skeared; no one else won't come down that way."
+
+"Oakum!" exclaimed Dutch, taking his knee from the prostrate man's
+chest.
+
+"I ain't quite sure yet," said the old fellow.  "It was me--what them
+warmint had left; but you've most squeezed out the little bit of breath
+as I had."
+
+"My good fellow," exclaimed the captain, "I'm very glad you've escaped.
+Are you wounded?"
+
+"I'm blessed if I know, capen," growled the old fellow, rising and
+shaking himself.  "I'm precious sore all over and pumped out, but I
+can't feel any holes in my carkidge as yet.  How's everyone here?"
+
+"Unhurt at present," was the reply.
+
+"Got the ladies safe?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That's a blessing," muttered the old fellow.
+
+"But who has been killed?" whispered Dutch in a low voice.
+
+"Well, that's about what I was a-going to ask you, gentlemen," said
+Oakum.  "Far as I can make out, there's the whole of the watch.  Bob
+Lennie--"
+
+"Some one hit me on the nose and tumbled me down the hatch, first go
+off," growled that worthy.
+
+"That's good," said Sam.  "Well, then, they've done for Dick Rolls, I
+know."
+
+"No they ain't," said the sailor, in an injured tone.  "I got a chop on
+the head, and it's bleeding fine, and I bolted down here.  Where's the
+good o' you going and telling such lies, Mr Sam Oakum?"
+
+"Well, third time never misses," muttered Sam.  "What's come o' Mr
+Jones?"
+
+There was no reply here.
+
+"He wouldn't jyne the mutineers, would he?" said Sam after a pause.
+
+"No," said the captain sternly.
+
+"Then it was him as they've cut down and chucked overboard."
+
+"Where are the other men?" said the captain, after a horrified pause
+caused by Sam Oakum's announcement.
+
+"Them as arn't in the swim is down in the forksel," said Sam, gruffly,
+"with all the chain cable piled atop on 'em, I expect; but it seemed to
+me as if the deck was swarming in the dark with fellows, all a trying to
+let daylight into your ribs."
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY.
+
+AFTER THE FIGHT.
+
+The silence on the deck now seemed ominous to those who were listening
+intently for some warning of the enemy coming down, but the long, weary
+hours passed without any fresh alarm, and they all stood in that pitchy
+darkness and stifling heat, waiting for the danger that did not come.
+
+"I'm getting so anxious about my birds," said Mr Wilson suddenly from
+one corner of the cabin.  "How shall I get to feed them?"
+
+_No_ one spoke for a moment or two, and then Sam Oakum exclaimed:
+
+"You won't want no more birds, sir.  You're a-going to be kep' in a cage
+yourself;" and the two sailors tittered to themselves, but no one else
+spoke.
+
+"I say," exclaimed Oakum, all at once, "what's come o' the stooard and
+old 'Pollo?"
+
+"I'm here, Mr Oakum, sir," said a weak voice, and then there was a low
+wailing noise.
+
+"That's old fatty, sure enough," said Oakum, "and he's a-crying.  But
+what's come of 'Pollo?"
+
+There was no answer to this, and Sam was heard to bring his hand down on
+his leg with a vigorous slap.
+
+"I remember now," he exclaimed.  "They brought him down on the deck when
+they went at me, but it was all knocked out of my head.  Poor old
+'Pollo!  Poor old chap!  I liked his honest old black physog somehow, if
+it wouldn't wash white.  If he's killed," he muttered sternly between
+his teeth, "someone's got to answer for it afore long."
+
+The hours dragged on, and then it seemed as if the darkness had suddenly
+grown less opaque; then one haggard face and then another could be dimly
+made out, and at last, as if with a rush, up came the sun, and the
+saloon was flooded with light reflected through the windows off the
+glorious dancing water; and the prisoners began to look from one to the
+other, and always at haggard anxious faces.
+
+Dutch, finding that all was still outside, walked softly to the little
+cabin where Bessy Studwick and his wife had been placed for safety; and
+as the door was open he could see that Hester was sleeping peacefully
+with her head resting on her friend's lap, while pale and anxious
+looking, Bessy held only her hands, and sat up watchful as she had been
+all night.
+
+Dutch stole in, and bending down kissed his wife's forehead tenderly,
+making her start slightly and utter a low sigh, but a happy smile came
+upon her lip directly, and the sunshine which flooded the little cabin
+lit up her thin, worn face, giving it so sweet and pure an air that
+Dutch groaned to himself as he thought of the past, and then stole away,
+but with a load taken from his breast, as he thought of the revelation
+he had heard from the doctor, and his heart leaped with joy as he
+thought of how in the future he would try to wipe away the misery he had
+inflicted upon the suffering woman.
+
+He was brought back to the present, though, directly by finding a kind
+of conference going on amongst his friends as to the future, and their
+proceedings to defend themselves and retake the ship.
+
+The meagreness of the resources was now seen at a glance, for though a
+portion of the party was pretty well-armed, the others were helpless.
+
+The captain made a full inspection of his cabin to find that every
+weapon had been carefully removed; and, to make matters worse, not an
+article likely to be used as a means of defence had been left behind.
+
+At least this was the first impression, but the doctor suddenly remarked
+that he had a stick in his cabin, and running in he returned with it,
+and handed his keen long diver's knife to Oakum.
+
+"You'd better keep it, sir," said the old fellow contemptuously.  "Them
+chaps has got heads and hearts too hard to be hurt with a bit of a
+stick.  Oh, that's the game, is it?  Well, I'll keep the knife then."
+
+This remark was made on seeing Mr Meldon draw a long, keenly-pointed
+three-edged sword out of the stick, a weapon likely to prove fatal to
+any one upon whom it was used.
+
+Unfortunately for the defenders of the cabin, they had but little with
+which they could make a barricade.  There was the bedding, and a few
+chairs, but even if these were piled up, but little could be done, as
+Dutch pointed out to the captain in a low voice.
+
+"I am no judge of fortifications," he said with a bitter smile, "but
+look up."
+
+The captain glanced at the skylight, and stamped with vexation.
+
+"We have not so much as a pistol, Captain Studwick, and the enemy have
+only to place three or four there to fire down upon us and we are done
+for."
+
+"Would you give up then, Pugh?" said the captain sternly.
+
+"Not so long as I can strike a blow," was the reply; and the same spirit
+seemed to nerve all present.
+
+There was not much time left them for consideration, for it was evident
+that full preparations were going on above.  Voices were heard talking
+and orders being given, but the men kept away from the broken skylight,
+and the suspense grew more intense.
+
+It was during this interval that Mr Meldon went to the inner cabin,
+where, weak and feverish, John Studwick lay, watched over now by his
+sister and Hester Pugh, who seemed to have awakened to a new life as she
+exchanged glances once with her husband, the trials they were in seeming
+as nothing compared to the horrors of the past.
+
+As the doctor approached, the young man turned to him impatiently.
+
+"Well," he said, "have you come to make me strong, so that I can fight
+these scoundrels with you?"
+
+"I wish I could," was the quiet reply.
+
+"Bah!  Doctor's talk," said John Studwick bitterly.  "You know you can
+do me no good.  Why do you pester me?"
+
+"Don't speak to me like that," he replied; "I have tried my best to help
+you."
+
+"Yes, yes, I know.  But there, go.  You worry me by staying, and this
+heat makes me so weak."
+
+"Yes, I will go directly," said the doctor; but he first went to the
+cabin window, secured a piece of string to a cloth, and lowered it down,
+soaking it, and drew it up.
+
+As he did so, a good-sized shark turned over and made a snap at the
+white, moving cloth, and the doctor shuddered, for it seemed to him that
+any attempt to escape from the ship to the shore would be in vain, for,
+as if in anticipation of coming carnage, the sharks were gathering round
+the doomed ship.
+
+"Lay that upon his forehead, Mrs Pugh," he said quietly; and as she
+turned to the locker upon which the young man lay, Mr Meldon hastily
+caught Bessy's hand in his and held it.
+
+"I shall fight for you to the last," he said in a low whisper.  "Do not
+think ill of me for speaking now; but, Bessy, I love you--very dearly,
+and--and we may never meet again.  Say one kind word to me before I go."
+
+She snatched her hand from his hastily, and looked upon him in a scared
+manner.  What she would have said was checked by a sharp cry from the
+captain.
+
+"Quick all!" he shouted, "they are coming."
+
+The doctor rushed back into the little saloon, and he was only just in
+time, for the door had been quietly unfastened from without, and headed
+by Laure, armed to the teeth, the enemy, to the number of eight,
+suddenly appeared, and the two sides stood face to face.
+
+"There, throw down those knives," he said in a sharp voice, "fools and
+idiots.  The tables are turned now.  Parkley, Pugh, you little thought
+that my day would come, but it has.  Now, surrender!"
+
+There was no reply by words, and the Cuban read the intention of those
+he sought to master by their determined front.
+
+"Do you want to be shot down where you stand?" he cried.
+
+"Better that than trust to the mercies of such a scoundrel as you,"
+cried Dutch, passionately.
+
+"Ah, my brave diver and shark slayer, are you there?  Put down that
+weapon; I don't want you hurt, nor you neither, Master Rasp, for you
+have to work for me."  There was no reply for a moment or two, and then
+Dutch spoke to the men who were with the Cuban.
+
+"I warn you all," he said; but as he spoke he could see that he was
+addressing men who were infuriated with drink.  "I warn you all that we
+are desperate, and shall fight to the last.  Come over to our side, and
+help to secure that scoundrel, and you shall all be richly rewarded.
+Fight for him, and if you escape death now, the law must overtake you
+for piracy, and you will be hung."
+
+There was a loud laugh at this, and the captain whispered:
+
+"Shall we make a bold charge?"
+
+"No: stand firm," said Dutch; and the little poorly-armed party closed
+up more determinedly.
+
+"What does that mean?" thought Dutch as, at a word from the Cuban, three
+of the men ran back up the cabin steps.
+
+His answer came almost directly.
+
+"Will you surrender?" cried Laure savagely.
+
+"No," was the reply.
+
+"Then your blood be upon your own heads," he yelled.  "Fire!"
+
+He raised his own revolver as he spoke, and began to fire shot after
+shot at those before him, while at the same moment three shots came
+crashing from behind them through the skylight.
+
+Then, headed by the Cuban, the enemy dashed into the cabin, striking
+right and left with the cutlasses with which they were armed, and for a
+few minutes there was a desperate struggle, in which for the time,
+though weakened by two of their men going down at the first shots, and
+others being wounded, the cabin party held their own, everyone fighting
+manfully: but the three men who had been sent to fire through the
+skylight came shouting down to reinforce their comrades, and thus turned
+the scale.
+
+The captain went down with a terrible cut across the forehead; Mr
+Parkley had a bullet through the shoulder.  The doctor drove his sword
+through one of the scoundrels, and then it broke short off, while
+another stabbed him in the back.
+
+As for Dutch, he singled out Laure, and made a desperate attack upon him
+with his long, keen knife, the shot the Cuban fired at him having merely
+grazed his neck, but directly after they were separated in the struggle
+as the furious knot of combatants swayed to and fro.  But he rid himself
+of another antagonist, and seizing the cutlass with which he was armed
+again made at the Cuban.
+
+As he approached, Laure raised his revolver once more, took steady aim,
+and was about to fire; but regardless of this, Dutch struggled to get at
+him, when a wild shriek from a voice he knew made him turn for a moment,
+and that threw him off his guard.  Poor Hester had been a horrified
+witness of the struggle, and had seen Laure's deadly aim.  Till that
+moment her lips had been.  Sealed, but now the involuntary cry escaped
+her, and as Dutch turned, the shot struck him on the shoulder,
+fortunately only ploughing a shallow flesh wound; but the next moment a
+blow from another hand struck him down, and the rest being mastered, the
+men, by Laure's orders dragged out two injured comrades and, securing
+the weapons, left the slippery cabin and secured the door.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
+
+RENEGADES.
+
+When Dutch recovered his senses, it was to find his head resting in his
+wife's lap, and the doctor busily engaged in bandaging his wounds, and
+as the misty sense of wonder passed off, a feeling of thankfulness came
+upon him, and he pressed the little soft hand that held his, for his
+great horror had been lest Hester should have fallen into Laure's hands.
+The joy he felt was heightened, too, by seeing Bessy Studwick there as
+well, busily attending her father, and then going from one to the other,
+carrying water, for the heat was terrible, and the wounds caused a
+thirst that was almost maddening.  But, painful as they were, not one
+man had received mortal injury, and the doctor's words were more healing
+even than his bandages.
+
+Some hours passed, and then the cabin door was opened, and food and
+water carried in by three of the men; and then, with Laure fully armed
+behind him, came 'Pollo, who with swab and pail was ordered to remove
+the blood that liberally besprinkled the cabin floor.
+
+His lips parted to speak, as he was at work where Oakum sat up with
+bandaged head, contentedly chewing his tobacco; but a significant motion
+of the Cuban's hands made him turn hastily away.
+
+This did not close Oakum's lips, though, for he said, quietly,--
+
+"Glad to see they ain't polished you off, 'Pollo, old man."
+
+The black did not answer, and the Cuban came round, looking curiously at
+his prisoners' injuries, and scanning one after the other, ending by
+ordering the cabin skylight to be taken off, and the sailors and Oakum
+to take possession of the forecastle, thus separating them from their
+friends.
+
+"I don't want to stifle you all," he said, quietly.  "Now, listen and
+remember.  We are all well-armed on deck, and a careful watch will be
+kept, consequently any man who attempts violence will be shot down.  I
+shall treat you all well, and you can have the run of this part of the
+ship for the present.  To-morrow we sail for a fresh sunken galleon,
+gentlemen.  I am much obliged to you for clearing this one out, and I
+shall require your services for the next."
+
+"For clearing this one out."  The words roused an echo in Dutch's breast
+as now, for the first time, he recalled his discovery of the gold, and,
+in spite of the pain he was in, his heart throbbed with joy.  The Cuban
+knew nothing of the gold, which must be worth far more, he calculated,
+than the silver, and this was a secret confined to his own breast.
+
+The Cuban's plans were plain enough to them now.  His object was to
+force them to work at the recovery of more treasure, and then perhaps
+make sure of what he had by killing them all afterwards; and Dutch made
+a mental vow that not a single descent would he make to further the
+villain's aim, but as he did so he shuddered at the thought of what a
+powerful engine he could bring to bear by means of Hester, who was
+likewise in the Cuban's power.
+
+As this thought struck Dutch, his purpose wavered, and he felt that he
+would be the Cuban's slave to save Hester from ill.
+
+The greater part of the crew sided now with Laure.  Six of the men had
+been in his pay from the first, and it was their restlessness that made
+him hasten his plans to their development, for he had had hard work to
+keep them quiet, but now that the change in authority had taken place he
+ruled them with a rod of iron, and there was not a man who did not
+shrink from his look and obey him like a child.  The colour with which
+he had stained himself remained still, but it was no longer the cringing
+mulatto who paced the deck, but the keen, clever Cuban, ever watchful,
+ever on his guard, and ready to take every precaution to secure the
+treasure he had won; and over this, night and day, he had an armed
+sentry, as if suspicious of any attempt on the part of his prisoners to
+rob him of it by throwing any portion overboard.
+
+Instead of setting sail at once, he altered his mind, and nearly a month
+glided by--a month of misery to the prisoners, who, however, were well
+cared for, and made to parade the deck for a couple of hours every
+evening, just as an owner might exercise the beasts he kept; and Dutch
+knew well enough why this was done, so that he and his companions in
+misfortune might be ready and strong to continue their work at their
+tyrant's order; but all the same there was one source of satisfaction to
+Dutch Pugh, for he saw how cumbered the Cuban was with his success, and
+in his greed for wealth at present there was a respite from his insolent
+advances towards Hester, who was allowed to stay unmolested with her
+friends.
+
+Meanwhile the troublesome and painful wounds of those injured healed
+fast under the doctor's care; and he was called upon to dress the cuts
+of three of Laure's men, who, in spite of the desperate resistance, had,
+saving one who died two days afterwards, escaped with trifling injuries.
+
+The question of retaking the ship had often been mooted; but, unless
+some special opportunity occurred, this at present was out of the
+question; but many a plan was proposed and canvassed in the saloon
+during those dark hot nights, Sam Oakum giving it out as his idea that
+the best thing to do would be to take to the boat some night, and get
+away after laying the wires of the battery in connection with the
+dynamite cartridges, and blowing the ship and hose within it to
+perdition.
+
+Dutch shuddered as he heard the proposal, one which he scouted as being
+as cowardly as it was horrible, but there was one thought which made him
+embrace even such a terrible plan as that.
+
+The prisoners had been aware that something was afloat on deck, but what
+they could not make out, and any attempt to gain information was in
+vain, for when they saw 'Pollo, who brought them their meals, which,
+thanks to him, were good and palatable, Laure was always watching, and
+to make matters worse it was very evident that the black was currying
+favour with the Cuban, and belonged now to the opposite faction.
+
+At last, after vainly planning and giving up each plot as futile, the
+prisoners sat about in the cabins or wearily gazed out of the windows
+one morning, waiting for change.  The wounds were healing fast, and gave
+but little trouble, and Hester, in spite of the close imprisonment, had
+changed rapidly for the better, joining with Bessy in ministering to
+those who suffered with them, and making more than one eye bright as
+their owners made a vow that no harm should befall them while they had a
+hand to raise.  Dutch had long known now how causeless had been his
+jealousy, and how bitterly his young wife had been persecuted; while she
+had borne all in silence lest, as so important a stake was in question,
+she might offend the Cuban, and so injure not merely her husband's
+prospects, but those of Mr Parkley, to whom they were both indebted so
+much.
+
+All was very quiet below, and one day had so strongly resembled another
+that the prisoners watched them pass in a way that grew more and more
+hopeless, when they were startled by the loud rattle of the heavy chain
+with which their door had been of late secured, and, followed by four of
+his partners in iniquity, Laure presented himself, gave a sharp look
+round, and then in a hard commanding tone exclaimed:--
+
+"Every man on deck!"
+
+No opposition was made to his orders for the moment, and the captain,
+Mr Parkley, Meldon, and Wilson went up on deck, where they found Oakum,
+Rasp, and the sailors, but Dutch drew back as he saw Laure's eyes turned
+upon Hester and her companion.
+
+"Have him up, lads," exclaimed the Cuban, with flashing eyes; and Dutch
+was seized and dragged to the door way, Laure drawing a pistol and
+holding it to his head until he was on deck.
+
+"Now you," exclaimed Laure, brutally; and with tottering gait John
+Studwick obeyed him, but there was a look on his eyes as he passed the
+Cuban that made him start uneasily, and then with a contemptuous laugh
+he turned it off and followed him on deck.
+
+Dutch heaved a sigh of relief as he saw that Laure stayed with them, had
+them ranged along by the starboard bulwarks, and then addressed them.
+
+"We sail from here directly," he said, "and as I don't want to be hard
+on men who have got to work for me, I am going to make you an offer, on
+which condition you can have your liberty on deck.  I shall make the
+same offer to you all, though I suppose there will be some fools among
+you who will not take it.  What I propose is this, that such of you as
+like to swear you will make no attempt to escape or fight against me can
+go about, except at night, when you will all be locked up again; but you
+have to bear this in mind, that anyone who runs from his promise will be
+shot like a dog, or pitched over to the sharks.  Now then, captain, will
+you help to navigate the ship?"
+
+"No, sir," was the reply.
+
+"Well, Mr Parkley, my disappointed speculator, what do you say?"
+
+"I have nothing to say to such a scoundrel," replied Mr Parkley.
+
+"You will stop on deck, doctor?"
+
+"I shall stay with my friends, sir."
+
+"So shall I," said Mr Wilson, stoutly.
+
+"As you like.  I needn't ask you, I suppose, my clever diver, but you
+had better stay and get strong," said Laure, with a sneering laugh; "you
+will have plenty to do by-and-by."
+
+Dutch made no reply, but looked defiance.
+
+"Just as you like," said the Cuban, grimly.  "Now, you two sailors, stop
+and help work the ship, and you shall have four times the pay that those
+fools were going to give you.  I'll give you a heap of ingots apiece."
+
+Lennie and Rolls were evidently tempted, but they looked at Sam Oakum,
+who was cutting off a piece of tobacco in the most nonchalant way.
+
+"Well, why don't you speak?" cried Laure sharply.
+
+"'Cause we're a-going to do same as him," growled Rolls, nodding at
+Oakum.
+
+"And what are you going to do, Sam Oakum?" cried Laure, who was getting
+wroth at his plan for reducing his prisoners being foiled.  "Come, my
+man, I'll make it well worth your while to turn over on my side.  The
+game's up with those you have served, and if you hold out you will be
+forced to work with a pistol at your head; but if you come over to me,
+and help me well to navigate the ship, and get the treasure from a
+couple more galleons, I'll make you a rich man for life."
+
+This was a painful moment for Dutch and his friends, for, instead of
+indignantly refusing, the old sailor, whom they thought so staunch,
+hesitated, and turned and whispered to Rasp, who was by his side.
+
+"Come, look sharp I've no time for fooling," cried Laure.  "What do you
+say?"
+
+Oakum looked at his fellow-prisoners, then at Rasp and the two sailors,
+and gave his quid a fresh turn before speaking.
+
+"S'pose I says, `No; I'll stick trumps to my old skipper?'" he growled.
+
+"Well, then," said Laure, showing his teeth, "you'll have to work twice
+as hard, you'll have three days given you to carry the schooner to the
+next sunken wreck, and if you don't do it in that time I shall send a
+bullet through your head."
+
+"Thankye," said Oakum.  "Well now, suppose as I says I'll fight for you,
+sail the schooner, and help get up some more treasure, what'll you give
+me?"
+
+"Oakum!" exclaimed Dutch, who had believed strongly in the old man's
+faith.
+
+"You be blowed," growled Oakum.  "I must take care o' myself.  Now then,
+gov'nor, what do you say?"
+
+"I'll give you a hundred of those silver ingots down below.  That will
+make you a rich man."
+
+"Won't do," said Sam, stoutly.  "I ain't going to cut my old skipper for
+no hundred on 'em.  Make it two hundred and I'll take you."
+
+"Oakum, if you have a spark of manly feeling in you!" cried Dutch.
+
+"Ain't got a spark, Mister Dutch Pugh.  It was put out that day of the
+fight."
+
+"You scoundrel!" cried the captain.
+
+"Same to you, captain," said Oakum, coolly.  "Now then, gov'nor, what do
+you say?  Is it to be two hundred, or is the proposal off?"
+
+"I'll give you the two hundred," said Laure, with flashing eyes, for he
+knew that Oakum would be invaluable to him, and very likely bring Rolls
+and Lennie over--the three being the best sailors in the ship.
+
+"And 'bout grog?" said Oakum.
+
+"As much as you like when the work's done," said Laure.
+
+"And 'bacco?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"And I ain't to be a common sailor?"
+
+"No, under me you shall have command of the ship, as far as navigation
+goes."
+
+"Then I'm on," said Sam Oakum, giving his leg a slap, after a glance at
+the armed men on one side and his captive superiors on the other.
+
+There was a murmur of dissatisfaction from the captain and the others at
+this secession, and Oakum turned upon them sharply.
+
+"What are you a growling about?" he exclaimed, throwing off his former
+tones of respect.  "You can't spect a man to stick to you always.  Your
+game's up, his is on.--I'm going on his side.  Why not?  I'm a pore man,
+and I shall be a pore one if I don't make some tin this trip."
+
+"You're quite right, my lad," said Laure, slapping him on the shoulder,
+and then turning a malignant look on his prisoners.
+
+"One must know which way his bread's buttered," growled Sam.  "Say, my
+lads," he continued, to Rolls and Lennie, "you can go down and be boxed
+up under hatches if you like, only if I was you I should say to the new
+skipper, `Give's twenty of them bars a piece, and we'll stick to you to
+the end.'"
+
+"I'll give you twenty ingots a piece, my lads," said Laure.  "Will you
+come over?"
+
+"I'm a-going to do just the same as Master Oakum does," said Lennie.
+
+"I'm on too," growled the other, with what sounded a good deal like a
+curse.
+
+"That's good.  Step over here then," said the Cuban.  "You are free
+men."
+
+There was another angry murmur from the prisoners, as they saw their
+party lessened by three; but there was a greater trial in store for
+them, for just then Oakum turned sharp round on old Rasp, who was taking
+snuff viciously as he leaned back and looked on.
+
+"I say, old beeswax," said Oakum, "now's your time to make your bargain.
+You're a fool if you stop there."
+
+"For heaven's sake, Rasp, don't listen to him," cried Mr Parkley.
+
+"What have you got to do with it?" snarled Rasp, angrily.  "He says
+right.  Your game's up, and if we're a-going diving again, I may just as
+well be paid for it as work for nowt."
+
+"Come, then," said the Cuban, whose face flushed.
+
+Rasp took a couple of steps forward, and the Cuban met him.
+
+"What'll you make it if I come and dive for you and get all the rest of
+the treasure?  You can't work it proper without me, so I tell you."
+
+"I'll give you the same as Oakum," said the Cuban eagerly.
+
+"Same as him!" snarled Rasp, "and him a common sailor.  How are you
+going to get your treasure.  I won't dive?"
+
+"With this," said Laure, tapping his revolver.
+
+"Not out o' me, you can't," said the old fellow, giving a poke at an
+imaginary fire.  "If I says as I won't dive, pistols couldn't make me--
+there."
+
+"We shall see about that," said Laure, sharply.
+
+"There, I don't want to fight," said Rasp, to Mr Parkley's great
+astonishment, for he had looked upon the old diver as truthfulness
+itself.  "Here's the plunder, and there's no call to quarrel over it.  I
+tell you what: say ten per cent, on all we get, and I'm your man."
+
+"Ten per cent!" exclaimed Laure.
+
+"Well, you'll save by it," said the old fellow.  "Shan't I work the
+harder, and get all the more?"
+
+"There's my hand upon it," said the Cuban; and they shook hands, while
+Mr Parkley uttered a low groan, and Dutch's eyes glittered with rage.
+
+"That will do," said the Cuban, who could ill conceal his triumph.  "Now
+then, down below with you, captain, and you my clever adventurers.  You
+have played with me, you see, and your cards are all trumped.  Now, take
+my advice and wait patiently till you are wanted, for if you try any
+tricks against me, the stakes may mean your lives."
+
+All had gone below except Dutch and Mr Parkley, who turned round and
+addressed their renegade followers.
+
+"As for you, Rasp," exclaimed Mr Parkley, "if anyone had sworn to me
+you could be such a scoundrel, I would have called him a liar."
+
+"You keep a civil tongue in your head," snarled Rasp.  "I worked
+faithful for you, and you made your money.  Now it's my turn.  You'll
+have to work, and dive too--d'yer hear, and I'm going to make the
+money."
+
+The Cuban looked on curiously as these exchanges took place, and his
+face flushed with pleasure as he saw Dutch turn upon Oakum, just as he
+was cutting himself a fresh plug of tobacco with his great clasp knife.
+
+"You cowardly old traitor," cried Dutch; and, unable to contain himself,
+he caught the old sailor by the throat and shook him violently.
+
+This treatment seemed to rouse the old fellow into a state of
+ungovernable passion, for, giving way in the surprise of the moment, he
+was driven back against the cover of the cabin hatch, but, recovering
+himself directly, with a savage oath he raised his knife and struck
+Dutch Pugh a fearful blow full in the chest, and the young man staggered
+back along the deck.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
+
+OAKUM'S MESSENGER.
+
+Sam Oakum followed Dutch as he staggered back, his knife entangled in
+the loose jacket he wore, and, dragging it furiously out, he was going
+to strike again, when a couple of the sailors seized his arm, and,
+frowning and swearing, he allowed himself to be held back, while,
+panting and white with rage, Dutch exclaimed--
+
+"Coward, as well as traitor, you will get your reward!"
+
+"Here, let go, will you?" cried Sam, furiously, making a desperate
+effort to get free, but the men held on, and Laure interposed--
+
+"Let him go, Oakum, let him go," he said, smiling with satisfaction.
+"You can serve him out by-and-by, as you call it--some day when he is
+diving," he added, with a peculiar look.
+
+Oakum gave a savage growl like that of a bear, and glared at Dutch, who
+was now half forced below, hurt in mind, but very slightly in body, for
+Oakum's clumsy stab had gone between his ribs and arm, merely tearing
+his jacket.
+
+Laure gave his orders, then Oakum took the command, and, the men readily
+obeying, the anchors were hove up, and, after their long stay, the
+schooner sails were once more shaken out, and the vessel began to glide
+gently along through the limpid waters of the beautiful bay.
+
+During the next two days the Cuban kept a suspicious watch over Sam, but
+as he went direct at his work with a good deal of ardour, and knocked
+'Pollo down for coming up smiling at him, he rose greatly in Laure's
+favour; and on the third morning, when the Cuban came on deck and saw
+Sam busily scanning with his glass the shore along which they had
+coasted, he came and laid his hand upon his shoulder.
+
+"You know the next place, then?" he said.
+
+"Well, I dunno whether it's the same as your'n," said Sam, with a grin.
+"Mine lies just under that bit of an island off yon point."
+
+"Where the rocks lie piled up like an old castle, and there's a little
+cove only about big enough to take this ship?" said the Cuban.
+
+"That's him, capen," said Oakum, showing his yellow teeth.  "Say, I
+think it ought to be another hundred bars, capen, for this."
+
+"Wait and see, my man.  If it turns out as well as the last, I may
+behave handsomely to you; at any rate, if you serve me well, I shall not
+be shabby--handsome--shabby, that is what you say, is it not?"
+
+"I say handsome," said Oakum quietly, "never mind the shabby."
+
+That afternoon the schooner was comfortably moored over where the sunken
+vessel lay, and this time there was no difficulty in finding the place,
+for about six fathoms below the surface the black timbers could be seen,
+and the Cuban rubbed his hands with glee, telling Oakum that this would
+be the richest find, as it was here he had himself dived and obtained
+the ingots.
+
+"And was the tother one of the places you knowed of?" said Sam.
+
+"Yes," replied the Cuban; "and I know of far more yet."
+
+"Didn't you dive down at t'other place?"
+
+"No," said the Cuban, lighting a cigar.  "I sent down a black, who was a
+splendid swimmer--one of my slaves."
+
+"Suppose he goes and clears off the silver unbeknownst to you?" said
+Sam, grinning.
+
+"He will not do that," said the Cuban, quietly exhaling a cloud of
+smoke.
+
+"How do you know, capen?" said Oakum.  "I never trusts niggers," and as
+he spoke he scowled at 'Pollo, who was crossing the deck, and who slunk
+away.
+
+"Because he is gone where I should send any man who was likely to prove
+treacherous to me," said Laure, in a low, hissing whisper.  "That fellow
+began to talk too much, and one night he fell overboard--somehow.  It is
+impossible to say how."
+
+The two men stood gazing in each other's eyes for a few moments, and
+then the Cuban added slowly--
+
+"I never boast, and I never forgive.  A man is a fool to his own
+interests who tries to escape me.  Your worthy employers thought that
+they had quite got rid of me, and had the field open to themselves.  You
+see where they are?  Now, if such a man as that old Rasp were to play
+fast and loose with me, that old man would die.  Don't tell him I said
+so; it would make him uncomfortable, and it is better a man should not
+know that he is likely to die.  Take a cigar, my good friend Oakum."
+
+"Thanky, no, capen, I always chews," said Sam; and then, as the other
+moved and went forward, Sam added, "He's a devil, that's what he is--a
+devil."
+
+Old Rasp was sitting on a coil of rope close at hand polishing up one of
+the helmets ready for the morrow's use, and just then the two men's eyes
+met, and a peculiar wink was exchanged, but they did not speak; and the
+rest of the evening was spent in making preparations for the morrow's
+descents.
+
+Since he had been on deck, Sam Oakum had once or twice seen a little
+canary, one that Mr Wilson used to pet a good deal, feeding it and
+training it so that it would sit on his finger, and feed from his hand,
+and this bird set him thinking.
+
+Quite half the birds were dead, but there were several surviving, thanks
+to 'Pollo, who had given the little things seed and water, and cleaned
+out their cages.  He had begun to talk to Oakum about them, but the old
+sailor turned upon him savagely.
+
+"You go and attend to your pots and pans," he roared, "you black
+lubber;" and 'Pollo shrunk from him with a frightened, injured air; and
+as the black crept away Oakum suspected that the Cuban was close at
+hand, as he always was whenever either of the seceded party spoke
+together.
+
+"Poor old 'Pollo!" said Sam to himself, as he sat down opposite the cage
+and began thinking.
+
+"Now, I wonder, little matey," he said softly, "whether, if I let you
+loose, you'd find your master, and take him a message."
+
+He sat thinking for a while, and then shook his head.
+
+"No, I'm sartain it wouldn't do; no, not even if you could talk like a
+poll parrot."
+
+He strolled on deck, and saw that there was a sentry by the broken
+skylight and another by the cabin hatch, and this was always the case,
+for the Cuban kept up the strictest discipline, one so perfect that if
+anything like it had been the rule under Captain Studwick the vessel
+could not have been taken.
+
+Sam watched his opportunity, too, when the prisoners came on deck, but
+he soon found that any attempt to obtain a word with either, even if
+they had not avoided his glance, would have been fatal to the enterprise
+which he had in hand.
+
+"I shall have to take to the bird," he said at last, and at daybreak the
+next morning he opened its cage door, and the little thing flitted out
+upon deck, and seemed thoroughly to enjoy its liberty, flying into the
+rigging, chirping, and ending by descending the cabin hatch, attracted
+thereto by a peculiar whistle, but after a time it came up again,
+suffered itself to be caught and replaced in its cage.
+
+"That'll do," said Sam to himself, and he went about his work, while
+that morning the whole of the diving apparatus was rigged up, and Rasp
+carefully inspected the ground.
+
+"It's all right," he said to the Cuban.  "Now, then, have 'em up.  Here,
+let's send old Parkley down."
+
+Mr Parkley was summoned on deck, and his first idea was to refuse to
+descend.
+
+"You'd better go down," said Rasp grinning.  "If you don't go with the
+soot on it's my belief that you'll have to go down without."
+
+There was no help for it, and he put on the diving-dress and went down,
+Dutch being summoned on deck directly after, to find Laure and his men
+all armed; and he felt that resistance was vain, and he, too, went down,
+and then with Mr Parkley worked to clear away the sand and weeds that
+had collected in the hold of the vessel.
+
+A few ingots were found and sent up directly, but it was evident to
+both, as they compared notes, that the work of many days must follow
+before they could get at the bulk of the treasure that lay below.
+
+And so another day passed, Dutch still finding, to his delight, as he
+went below, that the desire for the treasure was still the prominent
+feeling in Laure's mind.
+
+The next morning, at daybreak, Mr Wilson was first astir, and Dutch had
+just joined him to sit by the cabin window and enjoy the fresh morning
+breeze, which was deliciously cool, when a bright, sharp chirp was
+heard, and the canary flew down through the broken skylight and alighted
+on the table.
+
+"Dick, Dick!" cried Mr Wilson, with the tears of joy in his eyes,
+"pretty Dick;" and the little thing flew on to his finger, turning its
+head first on one side and then on the other, as it looked up in his
+face with its bright beady eye.
+
+"What's that under its wing?" said Dutch, sharply.
+
+"Paper," was the reply; and, sure enough, tightly tied beneath the
+little pinion was a tiny piece of doubled-up paper, which, on being
+opened out, bore these words in pencil:
+
+"Keep a steady hand at the wheel, and wait.  Friends on board.  Work and
+wait."
+
+"Can that mean treachery?" said Dutch doubtfully; and, going to their
+berths, he read the words softly to the captain and Mr Parkley, and
+asked their opinions as well as that of the doctor.
+
+"No," said the latter; "that's no treachery, but from a friend."
+
+"I see it all," whispered Dutch, with his face flushed with joy.
+
+"What do you mean?" said the captain.
+
+"I knew old Oakum and Rasp could not be such scoundrels.  Their
+behaviour was all a blind.  They are our friends."
+
+"That must be it," acquiesced the others; and it was decided not to send
+any message back, but to let the bird go.
+
+This was done, and that day the divers steadily worked on with old Rasp,
+who was closely watched by the Cuban, tyrannical to a degree, while
+Oakum never once looked at them.
+
+Sand, rock, and what was harder to move, namely, masses of coral, were
+dragged away that day, and the Cuban's impatience was somewhat
+alleviated on the sight of a few more stray ingots, forerunners of what
+he hoped to get later on, and again night put an end to their labours,
+the tired divers, who on this day had been helped by the captain,
+doctor, and naturalist, all working like common sailors, and watched by
+armed men.
+
+They were up and waiting beneath the cabin skylight the next morning
+before the day broke, and once more came the bird with a welcome
+message.
+
+It was very brief, but it gave them hope in the midst of their despair,
+for it ran as follows:--
+
+"You'll get no more writing, for it ar'n't safe-like, friends working
+for all on you.  Never mind, lads, watch under cabin light till
+something comes."
+
+This was enigmatical, but it set them on their guard, and they worked
+that day more cheerfully, feeling that a plot must be on foot for their
+rescue, Dutch's only fear, as he gazed at the two women, being that it
+might come too late.
+
+That night Dutch, weary as he was, himself watched beneath the cabin
+hatch, but many weary hours passed without anything but the talking of
+the watch being heard; and at last he felt that at all hazards he must
+sleep, when he started, for something round and soft suddenly fell
+through the open light upon his head, and feeling about on the floor his
+hand came into contact with a handkerchief, in which something soft was
+tied up.  A powder evidently--yes, gunpowder.
+
+He stood pondering with about a couple of pounds of the combustible in
+his hand, thinking of what power it would have if exploded, and longing
+for the battery and the dynamite cartridges, as he thought that if
+matters came to the worst he would blow up the ship sooner than the
+women should suffer insult.
+
+During the next few days the diving work progressed steadily, and, with
+the exception of a few interruptions by sharks, all went well; but not
+the slightest sign struck Dutch as evincing a desire on the part of Rasp
+or Oakum to make any communication, and both he and his friends were
+puzzled, wondering which of them would be the faithful one, for they
+felt that they would be too sanguine if they imagined that both were on
+their side, though Mr Parkley was as convinced that Rasp was at work
+for them as Dutch was that it was Oakum.
+
+All the while both were working hard in their interest to contrive the
+re-capture of the ship, but the difficulty was that the whole party were
+so watched that they could find no means of communication, but still
+they hoped.
+
+Oakum had found where the arms were stowed in the fore cabin, which
+Laure had taken for his own use, and which he shared with one of the
+men, whom he seemed to trust entirely, but who was a thoroughly drunken
+scoundrel, and who used to make Mr Meldon's blood boil by the way he
+used to stand and watch Bessy Studwick whenever she was on deck in the
+evening, for Laure had insisted that the women should share his
+prisoners' walk for a couple of hours each day.
+
+"If I could get at those tools," thought Oakum, "and pass 'em down, we
+should be all right, and might make the scoundrels shake in their
+shoes."  But no opportunity occurred, and the glorious bright days
+glided by.
+
+The treasure had been thoroughly reached at last, and in a hopeless way
+Dutch and Mr Parkley worked on, bullied sharply by Rasp, who threatened
+short supplies of air if more work were not done, and the consequence
+was that an immense treasure in silver bars was recovered, though for
+the most part terribly corroded and mingled with calcareous matter.
+
+At last the time arrived when Mr Parkley came up announcing that the
+last ingot had been found, and that nothing remained but the black and
+rotting wood.
+
+"Nonsense," exclaimed Laure angrily; "there must be hundreds more.
+Here, you Pugh, it is your turn to go down now.  Make a good search, and
+don't come back till you have found more."
+
+The eyes of the two men encountered as Laure spoke, and a strange
+foreboding feeling came over Dutch as he slowly made his preparations.
+It seemed to him that it was quite possible, now the treasure of two
+sunken galleons had been recovered, Laure might forego further search,
+having determined to make sure of his find, and if this were the case,
+the young man argued, he might now begin to put in force some of his
+former tactics.  What if he were now to try to get rid of him for
+Hester's sake--for the sake of the woman who had repelled all his
+advances, but who was now completely in his power.
+
+True he had hardly noticed her of late, but there was that in the
+Cuban's eyes that told of smothered volcanic passion that might at any
+moment burst into flame, and Dutch felt that if he escaped from injury
+that evening he would try and bring forward the plot that must be now
+nearly ripe, and strike before it was too late.
+
+There were men on board who would, after the first blow was successfully
+struck, he argued, be ready to side with the victorious party,
+irrespective of whom it might be, and this blow must be struck, and at
+once, before it was too late.
+
+He was brought back to the realities of his position by a few sharp
+words from Laure, supplemented by a brutal jerk from Rasp, while as he
+secured portions of his waterproof dress, and glanced round the deck,
+everything seemed to be imprinted on his brain with vivid force.  There
+was the last heap of wet silver, mingled with stone, shell, and seaweed,
+the little streams of water trickling from it to the scuppers, and there
+by the pump, which it had become their duty to work, were the captain,
+the doctor, and Mr Wilson, while just emerging from the cabin, and
+supporting John Studwick each by a hand, came Hester and Bessy to lead
+the invalid to a seat by the side.
+
+Dutch saw Laure's eyes flash as Hester came on deck, and the young man's
+veins tingled with rage.
+
+But he was helpless, and could only obey.  And, besides, he felt that
+this was no time for annoyance coming to his young wife; so, exchanging
+glances with her, and trying to impart confidence in her breast, though
+he felt none, he prepared to go down.
+
+But first he took one glance round at the beautiful sea and shore, and
+then, with the foreboding of coming danger on the increase, he assumed
+his helmet; it was roughly secured by Rasp; and he walked to the ladder
+at the side with the old fellow guiding him.
+
+As he turned to place his feet on the steps, it might have been
+imagination, but certainly Rasp looked at him through the glass windows
+of the helmet in a peculiar way, and more significant still the young
+man felt the life-line thrust into his hand.
+
+"Then there is danger," thought Dutch, as he lowered himself down, and
+his heart began to beat violently; but as his head disappeared beneath
+the surface of the water, and the old familiar sensations of diving were
+experienced, he began to smile at his terrors, and to accuse himself of
+want of manliness.
+
+"Rasp's rough behaviour is all a blind to throw dust in Laure's eyes,
+and the look and the significant placing of the life-line in my hands
+means that something is to take place to-night."
+
+He was convinced of this now, and reaching the bottom he took up an iron
+rod, and began to move slowly about over the rotten timbers that had
+been uncovered, and to probe and search in all directions.  The sand had
+been cleared out of the vessel all but amidships, and there they had at
+the first attempt come upon remains that showed how a large number of
+the crew must have been below deck when the ship sunk; and as the silver
+seemed to lie away from here, Dutch and Mr Parkley had agreed to leave
+the bones buried in the sand where they lay; but now that this
+imperative order had come from their taskmaster Dutch took the piece of
+iron, and began to search with it by thrusting it down into the sand.
+
+He shuddered as he did so, for he could tell that it certainly came in
+contact with buried bones, sometimes, by the feel, with a skull, and
+several times he left off with a shudder, resuming his task in a
+hopeless way, and wondering whether success were to attend their effort,
+and when it would be made.
+
+Just then the recollection of the rich treasure in gold that was known
+only to himself came to his mind, and he smiled as he thought of what
+would be Laure's feelings if he knew what had been left behind.  And as
+he thought of this, he thrust the iron rod down once more, and his heart
+began to beat again, for, unless he was much mistaken, there beneath the
+remains of the former occupants of the galleon lay just such a
+receptacle as the one he had formerly found.
+
+He probed again and again, making deep holes in the sand, which were
+filled up directly he withdrew the rod; and now, marking out the spot,
+he became convinced, not that it was gold, but that another goodly
+treasure of metal lay beneath the sand.
+
+It were all plain enough, just a square receptacle, all metal, he
+believed gold, but certainly silver was there, and as soon as he thrust
+the probe down outside that square it went down, down through wood and
+sand to any depth.
+
+"It is another treasure of gold," exclaimed Dutch, and his words sounded
+strangely to him as they were spoken in the hollow of his helmet, and he
+paused to consider whether he should announce his discovery, or keep it
+secret like the last.
+
+"It shall be a secret," he said.  "We may live to survive this
+unfortunate voyage, and if we do, may come again, for here is what would
+recompense us for all our pains, and it is no uncertainty; no, there is
+the treasure, and--"
+
+He signalled sharply for more air, looking up through the clear bright
+sunlit water, and as he did so feeling that the supply was stopped, he
+saw that the long india-rubber tube had been cut, and was sinking slowly
+towards him, like some strange grey snake.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
+
+IN PERIL.
+
+Hester turned shuddering away as she saw Laure's eyes fixed upon her,
+and soon began to tremble as she recalled a previous occasion when under
+a threat the Cuban exacted a promise from her, one that, believing her
+husband's life at stake, she had given.
+
+She tried to look in other directions, to devote herself to attending
+upon poor, weak John Studwick; but it was impossible, and strive how she
+would, her attention was constantly drawn back to the Cuban, who, with a
+smile upon his lip, watched her anxiety, and horrified her by coming to
+where the tube ran from the air-pump over the side, and picking it up
+held it in his hand as he glanced at her white face.
+
+Then he threw it down again, and turning to the men about him, spoke
+first to one and then to another, with the result that each of the
+scoundrels seemed placed upon his guard, and to be ready for any
+emergency.
+
+Laure, according to his custom, was armed to the teeth, carrying quite a
+little arsenal in his belt, and, after going round to the men, he
+advanced to where Rasp was standing.
+
+"Is that fellow working well?" he said aloud.
+
+"Pretty well," growled Rasp, taking some snuff.  "Getting a bit lazy,
+though.  He don't work like he did when he was at it for himself."
+
+Laure walked up and down the deck three or four times, and then stopped
+short by Hester, who shrank from his touch as he laid his hand upon her
+arm.
+
+"When is pretty Hester Pugh coming to make amends for all her coldness?"
+he said, with a smile.
+
+She did not speak, only cowered away, with her eyes fixed on his, like a
+bird beneath the glance of a snake.
+
+"I say, when is pretty little Hester going to reward me for all my
+patience and perseverance?" he repeated.  "No, no! don't run away,
+little timidity.  I am very dreadful, am I not?  I am a terrible fellow
+to seize upon the ship, and make the scoundrels who tried to rob me work
+for my treasure.  What--no answer?"
+
+Hester could not have spoken had she wished, for her position seemed to
+paralyse her.  An indignant word might cause the wretch who persecuted
+her to endanger once more her husband's life, and so she crouched there
+trembling.
+
+The doctor and Captain Studwick were at the pumps, but she dare not
+appeal to them lest more mischief should befall, and hence she sat there
+trembling, feeling how thoroughly they were in the monster's power.
+
+"She is coy and angry at our neglect," said Laure, sneeringly.  "Well,
+well, we must excuse it, for we have been too busy even to think of
+love.  Let us apologise, then, and say that we love her more than ever;
+and now that the work is nearly done, we are going to seek our reward
+henceforward here, Hester."
+
+He laid his hand once more upon her arm, but she shrunk shuddering away,
+and the Cuban walked angrily to the side, where, with the tube in his
+hand, he stood gazing down, and watching the action of Dutch as he moved
+from place to place far below in the pure water.
+
+He glanced round once, and saw that Hester, with dilated eyes, was
+watching his every movement, and feeling that he had, as it were, her
+heart-strings in his hand, he pretended to ignore her presence on the
+other side of the deck, and played with the tube that was the life of
+Dutch Pugh, now pinching it or bending it so that the supply of air was
+slightly hindered, when Rasp, unobserved, signalled to those at the
+air-pump with one hand, causing them to accelerate their toil and so
+keep up the supply.
+
+Just then, though so weak that he could hardly walk, John Studwick
+crossed the deck.  Bessy would have accompanied him, but he hoarsely
+told her to keep back, and so soft and slow was his step that he had his
+thin white hand upon the Cuban's arm before the latter was aware of his
+presence.
+
+"You cowardly cur!" said John Studwick, glaring at him with his
+unnaturally bright eyes, and with his hollow cheeks burning with a
+hectic flush.  "I can hardly think it possible that God can let such a
+villain live."
+
+Laure started as if he had been stung, and his hand sought one of the
+pistols in his belt.
+
+"Pistols, yes," said John Studwick.  "But pistols or no pistols, if I
+had the strength of a man instead of being a helpless wreck, one of us
+should not leave this deck alive."
+
+Captain Studwick and the doctor were intensely excited, but they dared
+not leave the air-pump lest the supply should fail for Dutch; but Mr
+Wilson drew nearer, and stood with parting lips and trembling hands
+watching the scene, while some of the armed crew now began to take an
+interest in the affair.
+
+"Go down to your berth--to your kennel--sick dog that you are," cried
+Laure savagely, as he showed his white teeth like the animal he
+mentioned.  "Speak to me like that again, and you shall not live long
+enough to see your pretty sister become my mistress, like Hester Pugh."
+
+"You cowardly ruffian!" cried the young man, tottering on the brink of
+the grave as he was, and as he spoke he sprang at Laure's throat,
+clinging there with both hands, and in his surprise the Cuban staggered
+back.  But only for a moment; the next Laure had shaken him off, and as
+the feeble man tottered away the ruffian drew a revolver, cocked it
+rapidly, and fired at the invalid as he fell.
+
+The bullet flew up through the rigging, for Wilson struck up his arm,
+and Laure turned savagely upon him, while the captain and the doctor
+were starting from the air-pump to go to Wilson's aid, when they were
+paralysed by a shout from Rasp.
+
+"Pump, pump! or you'll kill Dutch Pugh."
+
+Hester uttered a wild shriek, and the handles flew round again as she
+darted to the air-pump, and as if feeling that she could help her
+husband, seized the tube.
+
+This cry and her act saved Wilson's life, for Laure, not a yard from
+him, was taking deadly aim at his head, his furious countenance bearing
+plainly stamped on it the determination to slay.  Seeing Hester's act,
+then, he lowered the pistol, stuck it in his belt, and, as if the
+opportunity had come, and an excuse for revenge, he drew the keen sword
+he carried and with one cut divided the air-tube as it lay upon the
+deck.
+
+Hester uttered another cry, and then stood like the rest, paralysed, as
+the tube writhed like a living creature, undulated, and then rapidly ran
+over the side, when the woman's whole nature seemed changed.  From a
+gentle, timid, shrinking creature she was transformed into one reckless
+of life and free from fear, and, throwing herself upon Laure, she caught
+the sword by the hilt, and tried to wrest it from his hand, while he,
+astonished at the change, gave way.
+
+The cutting of the tube had set the two men free, or it would have gone
+hard with Hester.  Captain Studwick flew to her help, armed with an iron
+screw-hammer that he had caught up, while the doctor seized a lever and
+ran to assist, but only to receive a heavy blow from behind, as, at a
+call from Laure, his men closed in, and the struggle became general.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
+
+RASP'S PLANS.
+
+Dutch Pugh's doom was not sealed, for, as he was struggling on, holding
+his breath, and trying to reach the ladder and climb up before he should
+become senseless, there came help.
+
+It was Laure's act he knew, and even in those excited moments he could
+tell that here was the meaning of the forebodings he had felt, and the
+thought of Hester left in the villain's power half maddened him as his
+temples throbbed, his senses began to reel, and he staggered, and felt
+that something was holding him back from the haven of safety he sought
+to reach.
+
+Pleasant old memories began to float before his vision--days when he had
+wandered with Hester through the sunny country lanes, and she confessed
+her love for him; and all seemed bright and beautiful.  He was in no
+pain, and he only knew that he had just reached the ladder, and was
+trying to ascend, when a dark cloud floated before his eyes--a cloud of
+dark-red blood, and then there was a shock and a concussion, and he knew
+no more.
+
+The shock was the jerking of the life-rope, and the concussion was his
+helmet striking against the side of the ladder, for as the struggle went
+on, Rasp gave the word to Oakum and 'Pollo, they hauled together, and,
+in spite of the weight, ran Dutch up to the side in a few moments,
+dragged him through the gangway, and as he lay on the deck Rasp rapidly
+stooped down and, turning a screw, threw open one of the plate-glass
+eyes of the helmet.
+
+"Further this way," whispered Rasp again, and, Oakum stooping down with
+him, they dragged the senseless man along the deck, away from the
+struggle that was going on.
+
+At the end of two or three minutes, Oakum and Rasp, who felt that the
+time was not ripe, and that any attempt at resistance on their part
+would have resulted, as they were unarmed, in failure, saw the captain,
+Mr Meldon, and Wilson driven below, Mr Parkley, in his cumbersome
+diving suit, being thrust down directly after; and then the conquerors
+turned towards John Studwick, who was lying panting where he had been
+dashed, with his sister holding his head in her lap, while Hester had
+run to the side of her husband.
+
+Old Rasp ground his teeth as, at the Cuban's orders, the invalid was
+roughly raised by the men, in spite of Bessy's shrieks, dragged from
+her, and thrown down the hatchway, while Bessy was dragged to the fore
+cabin and thrust down there.
+
+"I'm a saving of all this up, Sam Oakum," whispered Rasp.  "I shall pay
+it all off on Mr Blackguard here some day."
+
+"Some night," whispered Sam Oakum back in a choking voice, "and that's
+to-night."
+
+"What did you drag that dog here for?" cried the Cuban, now coming up,
+sword in hand, and making a thrust at the prostrate figure, as Hester
+tried to relievo Dutch of his helmet.
+
+"Here, mind what you're after," said Rasp, snappishly, warding off the
+blow with an iron bar.  "Don't be a fool.  'Spose you spyle that
+ingy-rubber soot, how are we going to get another?"
+
+The Cuban turned upon him furiously, but as the quaint old fellow seemed
+not in the least afraid, he turned it off with a laugh.
+
+"What did I pull him up for, eh?" said Rasp.  "Why, becos I haven't done
+with him.  I haven't forgot my percentage on the silver, captain, and
+this one's worth half-a-dozen of that t'other old chap."
+
+"You're a strange fellow, Rasp," said the Cuban.
+
+"Strange, am I?  I've been a diver this forty year a'most, and I've
+never had such diving as this afore.  It's too good to be spyled because
+you get wild, so now then."
+
+"You're right, Rasp," said the Cuban, laughing, as Hester darted an
+indignant look at the gruff and apparently heartless old fellow.  "Here,
+a couple of you, throw this dog down in the cabin."
+
+As a couple of the men approached, the Cuban took a turn up and down the
+deck, and Hester started as Rasp, while apparently leaning over the
+helmet, whispered:
+
+"Don't you resist, my pretty one, but go as he tells you; there's help a
+coming."
+
+Laure turned sharply back, stooped down, and caught the trembling woman
+by the wrist.
+
+"Enough of this," he exclaimed sharply, for one peculiarity of the man
+was that every time he was about to proceed to some act of violence he
+worked himself into a rage.  "You come to me now."
+
+Hester hung back from him and tried to cling to her prostrate husband,
+but, remembering the words of old Rasp, she suffered Laure to lead her
+forward.
+
+"That's more sensible," he said, with a look that made her shrink.
+"To-morrow we will change cabins with those aft."
+
+He led her to the hatch, down which Bessy had been thrust, and ordered
+her to descend, which she did after a trembling glance at her husband,
+who still lay insensible, but with Rasp and Oakum bending over him, and
+the next moment, finding that she was evidently in the part that the
+Cuban had had furnished for his own use, and beyond which was his little
+sleeping cabin, she was clasped in Bessy Studwick's arms.
+
+"Why have you not thrown that dog overboard or below?" cried the Cuban,
+returning to where Dutch lay.
+
+"Don't you be in such a 'nation hurry," growled Rasp.  "I'm not going to
+have my helmets and diving tackle misused by nobody.  These things may
+be worth fifty thousands pounds yet, and if they're bruised or have
+holes broke in 'em, how are we to get 'em mended?"
+
+As he spoke, Rasp, with Oakum's help, dragged off the india-rubber suit
+and removed the helmet very carefully.
+
+"There," he said, "now you can have him; and none of your pitching him
+down like you did the others.  He's valuable, he is."
+
+The Cuban kicked the senseless man brutally as he lay, and, two of the
+sailors taking him by the legs and arms, he was dragged to the hatch,
+and then drawn heavily down the stairs.
+
+"If I don't warm the wax o' that fellow's ears for all this, Sam Oakum,
+my name ain't Rasp," said the old fellow, laughing to himself.  "I want
+one of these here diving suits very pertickler, my friend, very
+pertickler indeed.  Ho, ho, ho!"
+
+"Right," said Oakum, in a low voice.  "To-night, mind."
+
+"Oakum," said the Cuban sharply; and the old sailor faced round,
+wondering whether he had been heard, while Rasp went on mending and
+arranging his diving tackle as if nothing was the matter.
+
+"Sir to you," said Sam.
+
+"I shall sail to-night or to-morrow morning.  Have all ready."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," said Sam cheerfully; and then to himself, "Perhaps you
+will, and for a longish voyage."
+
+"We've got all the silver here, and I think I shall try one more spot."
+
+"All right, capen," said Sam; "nothing like having a good cargo while
+you're about it."
+
+"Have all ready," said the Cuban gloomily.
+
+"Right, capen," said Sam, "but--"
+
+"Well, what?" said the Cuban, looking sharply round as if in search of
+danger; but the shore was on every side verdant and beautiful, the sea
+calm and bright, and nothing to show the horrors of the ship but a few
+spots of blood upon the white deck.
+
+"I was on'y going to say as if I was skipper I should put off the start
+till the morning."
+
+"Why?" said the Cuban, looking at him searchingly.
+
+"The sun'll be down afore we could work out of this snug place so as to
+ketch the breeze, and there's a rock there, and a rock there, and a
+couple more to starboard, and three off yonder to port.  I shouldn't
+like to take off a bit of the schooner's keel, or poke a hole in her
+bottom, with all that silver aboard.  A man likes to obey orders, capen:
+but when he's got a stake in the safe running of the cargo, it makes him
+partickler like."
+
+"You're right," said the Cuban.  "At daybreak, then."
+
+"Daybreak it is," said Sam, giving his trousers a hitch; and taking out
+a little silver pipe, he blew a shrill note.  "All hands ahoy!" he
+roared, and as the men collected, he set to work clearing away the
+lumber, coiling ropes ship-shape, hoisted a boat that had been down over
+the side, and then altered his mind and had it lowered again.  "We shall
+want it for towing her head round in the morning," he said, and so
+busied himself so as to have everything well forward, while the Cuban
+looked on with an approving eye.
+
+"You shan't be forgotten for all this, Sam Oakum," he said.
+
+"Thankye, capen, thankye," said Sam, as the Cuban walked forward, and
+the old sailor filled a pipe for an extra luxury, just as it was getting
+dark.
+
+"Here, you black-faced son of a coal-hole, give's a light," cried Sam,
+loudly, as he went to the galley where 'Pollo was busy preparing tea for
+all on board.
+
+"Yes, Mass' Oakum," said the black, flinching from a blow aimed at him
+as he spoke, when, to the poor fellow's horror, Sam seized him by the
+scruff of the neck, pushed his head into an open barrel, and whispered:
+
+"Don't you make a sound, 'Pollo, old man.  It's all my larks.  Don't
+laugh, you lubber, but get your biggest carving knife, and hide here in
+the middle watch: there's a game on, my lad, and I want you to help to
+retake the ship."
+
+"Oh, golly, Mass' Oakum, sah, dat I will; I bress de lor', sah, you not
+big rufiyun affer all.  I bress de lor'."
+
+"Hush! hold your tongue, lad.  Mum's the word.  Now then, you black
+nigger, look alive with that grub," he said aloud.  "I'm 'most
+starving."
+
+He came out puffing away at his pipe as the Cuban came slowly along the
+deck, looking suspiciously at Sam, who, however, did not seem to heed
+his look, but fixing himself on the bulwark, with his legs under him,
+and his arm round one of the shrouds, he half-shut his eyes, and smoked
+away as if with real enjoyment, blinking at the shore, and all the while
+ripening his plans for the fierce work to be undertaken that night.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
+
+PRISONERS.
+
+Meanwhile, to Hester's horror, she found that they were to be prisoners
+in Laure's cabin, and that the drunken scoundrel who shared it with him
+kept coming down blinking and leering at them, making their very blood
+run cold.
+
+His offensive manner was, however, for the time stopped by the Cuban,
+who came down, and pointing to the inner cabin bade them go in there.
+
+Their only course was to obey, and the two trembling women crouched
+together, dreading the coming night, and yet hoping that some successful
+effort would be made for their release.
+
+"Let us hope and pray, Bessy," said Hester, trying to be cheerful, in
+spite of her misery.  "Dear old Rasp's words were not uttered without
+meaning."
+
+"But is he to be trusted?" sobbed Bessy; "he was with our enemies."
+
+"Trusted? yes," cried Hester; "his behaviour must have been to deceive
+the wretches, and he and old Oakum are working for our release."
+
+"If I could only be as hopeful as you are, Hester."
+
+"I _am_ full of hope now," cried Hester.  "I can wait, and feel strong
+and full of energy, with my husband's trust.  Time back I could have
+died in my misery."
+
+As the hours passed on, they could hear the Cuban and his companion
+talking in the next cabin, and the clink of glasses told that they were
+drinking.
+
+All on deck was very still.  They had heard the sounds of preparation
+till nightfall, and then everything became very quiet; and, clinging
+together, the two women sat with every sense on the strain, listening
+for the danger they knew to be at hand, while they hoped for the rescue
+that might come.
+
+It grew rapidly dark, and their cabin was only lit by the gleams that
+came beneath and through a few ventilation holes in the door, a glance
+through which, once timidly taken, showed the Cuban drinking heavily
+with his companion, who grew more stupid and riotous, while the only
+effect upon Laure was to make his eyes glow as he sat glancing from time
+to time at the door.
+
+Every now and then, too, some allusion to the prisoners made the women's
+hearts palpitate with horror, and more than once Hester glanced at the
+little window as if through that she must seek for the help that was so
+long in coming, for that she knew would be protection from the outrage
+she dreaded for them both.
+
+Neither spoke now of their fear, but clung the closer as they listened,
+till suddenly they heard Laure rise and go on deck, when their breathing
+became more even, and they sighed with relief.
+
+But hardly had the Cuban's foot left the steps, when his companion
+raised his head from the table where he had been simulating sleep, and
+glancing round for a moment he rose and came to the inner cabin door,
+opened it, and thrust in his head.
+
+"Come here, my birdie," he said thickly.  "One of you has got to be my
+wife, and let's see, you're the captain's," he continued with a hoarse
+laugh, as he thrust Hester aside and caught Bessy in his arms, holding
+her tightly in spite of her struggles, till she uttered a long and
+piercing shriek.
+
+The next moment there was a rapid step on the stairs and the Cuban
+rushed savagely into the cabin, sword in hand.
+
+He made for the ruffian who held Bessy, but as soon as he realised whom
+the scoundrel had, he uttered a hoarse laugh, and, as if incited by his
+companion's example, he threw the sword upon the table, and caught
+Hester in his arms.
+
+For a few moments she struggled hard, but her strength failed; and as
+she felt how powerless she was becoming, she tried to shriek, but, as if
+prepared for this, Laure, laughing, placed one hand upon her lips, while
+the other clasped her to him so tightly that she could not move.
+
+Just then, however, Bessy, who had been struggling long and bravely with
+her assailant, uttered a series of piercing screams, freed herself from
+his grasp, and, half-mad with fear and horror, threw her arm round
+Hester.
+
+"Curse you, you noisy jade," cried the Cuban, furiously; and he struck
+her brutally across the mouth with the back of his hand as he released
+Hester, who sank shivering on the cabin floor.
+
+"Here, come away, now," cried the Cuban, sharply; and, thrusting his
+companion before him, he hurried out and secured the door, leaving the
+two prisoners sobbing in each other's arms, while the light through the
+holes in the door streamed in long rays above their heads.
+
+Hester was the first to recover herself, and she rose and tried to
+comfort her stricken companion, than whom now she seemed to be far the
+stronger in spirit.
+
+"Help must come soon, Bessy," she whispered.  "They will have heard our
+screams."
+
+"It would be better to die," sobbed Bessy.  "There is no hope--no hope
+whatever."
+
+"What!" cried Hester.  "No hope?  And with my brave, true husband on
+board?  I tell you help will come, and soon."
+
+"When it is too late," sobbed Bessy.  "Those wretches will soon be
+back."
+
+"Hush, listen," whispered Hester; and she stole to the door to peep
+through one of the holes, and see the drunken ruffian sitting there with
+his head down upon the table, apparently asleep.
+
+The Cuban had evidently gone on deck, and, nerved now to take some
+desperate course, Hester stole back to where Bessy crouched.
+
+"Get up--quickly," she whispered.  "We must escape from the place now."
+
+"But where, where, unless overboard?" wailed Bessy.
+
+"To the deck--to the other cabin.  They will fight for us.  Dutch will
+save us from another such outrage as this."
+
+Bessy rose up directly, endeavoured to be firm, but she tottered, and
+had to cling to the slighter woman.
+
+They stood by the door while Hester tried it, but their hearts sank as
+they found that they were more of prisoners than they imagined, for the
+door was fastened on the outside, while to make their position more
+painful there were no means of securing it from within.
+
+All seemed very still; so still, in fact, that they could hear plainly
+the heavy breathing of the ruffian who was sleeping there alone; and as
+they stood trembling and listening it seemed as if a light step was
+coming down the cabin stairs.
+
+It came so cautiously and stealthily that they did not dare to move lest
+they should not hear it.  For a moment Hester was tempted to change her
+position, and gaze through the door, but a slight clicking noise
+arrested her, and she remained listening and hopefully considering
+whether this could be some of the promised help.
+
+All was silent again for a time, and then there was another strange
+click, and something fell upon the floor, as if a sword had been knocked
+down.
+
+This was followed by a sharp rustling noise, and the sleeping ruffian
+rose up, growled loudly, pushed the lamp on one side, so that it creaked
+over the table, and then seemed to lay his head down again, and began to
+breathe heavily.
+
+A minute or two that seemed an hour passed away, and still the two women
+listened, feeling certain that help was coming, especially as the
+rustling noise once more commenced; and then, as they waited longingly
+for the unfastening of their prison door, they plainly heard the Cuban's
+step on the deck, and directly after he began to descend.
+
+Their hearts sank as they heard him coming, and they shrank away from
+the door, when, to their surprise, just as they were about to attribute
+the sounds they had heard to fancy, there was a flash as if the lamp had
+been raised from the table, a heavy blow, a crash as of breaking glass,
+and a tremendous struggle ensued in what was evidently total darkness,
+for the lamp had been overturned, and not a gleam shone through the
+door.
+
+Oaths and curses mingled with the struggling noises which fell upon the
+trembling women's ears as the two men engaged, crashed against the
+bulkheads, and once came so violently against the door of communication
+that they threatened to break it in.
+
+This lasted for about five minutes, when the Cuban's voice was heard
+shouting for lights.
+
+The noise of the struggle had now ceased, and Hester found courage
+enough to look through the door, as a gleam of light shone through; and
+she saw three sailors entering the cabin with a lantern, which cast its
+light upon the bruised and bleeding face of the Cuban, who was kneeling
+on the chest of the ruffian who had been sleeping in the cabin.
+
+"The drunken fool flew at me as I came in," exclaimed Laure, savagely.
+
+"I didn't," growled the fellow.  "You hit me on the head with the lamp."
+
+"You knocked it over in your drunken sleep," shouted Laure.  "Here, get
+up: you shall stay here no longer.  Go and sleep on deck."
+
+The man rose in a heavy, stupid way, and, muttering to himself, left the
+cabin and went on deck, while, under the Cuban's orders, the men who had
+come down fetched another lamp, and cleared away all the traces of the
+struggle.
+
+It was now evidently long past midnight, and as soon as Laure was left
+alone, Hester and her companion began to tremble once more for their
+fate.
+
+The Cuban was evidently restless and uneasy, for he kept getting up and
+walking to the stairs and listening, as if in doubt; but as an hour
+glided by, and all seemed perfectly still, he remained longer in his
+seat, and at last, as Hester watched him, she saw his glance turned
+towards the inner cabin, and to her horror he rose and, with a peculiar
+smile upon his face, came and laid his hand upon the lock of the door.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.
+
+RETRIBUTION.
+
+The supreme moment seemed to have come, and with her heart beating
+furiously Hester made up her mind to make one more effort to reach the
+deck, shouting the while for help, and then if no other help came, she
+told herself that she could seek it in the sea.
+
+Her hands clasped those of Bessy for a moment convulsively, and then
+dropping them, she stood upon her guard as the lock was shot back, the
+door was flung open, and in an instant Laure caught her in his arms,
+when, as her lips failed to utter a shriek, there was a heavy fall on
+deck, the noise of feet hurrying to and fro, a crash, and with an oath
+Laure rushed across the cabin, and Hester staggered back trembling into
+Bessy's arms.
+
+"What does it mean?" the latter whispered hoarsely.
+
+"Help at last," panted Hester, as the noise on deck increased.  Shots
+were fired, there was another heavy full, and the clashing together of
+steel, followed by the voice of Laure culling to his men to come on.
+
+Before they dared to hope for safely, Dutch literally leaped down into
+the cabin, with a cutlass in his hand, followed by Mr Meldon, both men
+pale with excitement and stained with blood.
+
+"Quick!" cried Dutch, catching his wife by one hand; "the scoundrels may
+prove too many for us."
+
+"Bessy, darling," whispered Mr Meldon, hoarsely; and for a moment he
+folded her in his arms before leading her hastily on deck after Dutch,
+who had already hurried Hester below into the main cabin.
+
+Bessy followed her on the instant, and the two men rushed forward again
+to where a desperate fight was going on, which resulted in Laure and his
+party being driven below, but not until some severe wounds had been
+given on either side.
+
+Then hatches were clapped on, and cables coiled over them, before the
+party dared to breathe freely and congratulate themselves on their
+success.
+
+"It is more than I dared to hope for," said Dutch, as they stood
+clustered round a lantern placed upon the deck, "for it was a bitter
+struggle."
+
+"Bitter, indeed," said Mr Parkley, with a sigh.  "I little thought our
+silver was going to be so stained with blood."
+
+"It may be all washed off yet," said John Studwick, who was standing by,
+looking ghastly pale.
+
+"What do you mean?" said his father.
+
+"That you have not got it home yet," was the reply; "and will not while
+that scoundrel is on board."
+
+"Then he shall not stay on board long," exclaimed the captain, angrily.
+"There is the land, and a boat shall take him, and all he likes to claim
+as his followers, as soon as morning dawns."
+
+Hester shuddered as she crept close to her husband, and felt as if she
+could never cease to fear as long as the villain was at large; but his
+words comforted her, and for the rest of the night long careful watch
+was kept, and not without need, for several attempts were made by those
+below to force their way on deck.
+
+Morning came, though, at last, as bright and sunny as if man never
+troubled the earth with his struggles, and as the sun arose the extent
+of the past night's troubles were more clearly seen; for the doctor's
+account showed that of their own party four had rather serious wounds,
+while two of the enemy lay dead, having succumbed to their injuries
+during the night.
+
+To get rid of the dangerous party below was the next thing; and at last
+surrounding the forecastle hatch, the cable was cast off, and as soon as
+the opening was laid bare Laure darted up, sword in one hand, pistol in
+the other, but Dutch seized one hand, Captain Studwick the other, and he
+was disarmed, and roughly thrown down into the little cabin from which
+Hester had been rescued, and the hatch secured.
+
+Having now no leader, the other men came sulkily on deck, and gave up
+their arms without a struggle, and all were ordered over the side into
+the boat, a plentiful supply of beef and biscuit was furnished to them,
+with a couple of guns and ammunition, and they were rowed ashore, to
+make the best of their way to any settlement they could find.
+
+"And now for the senor," said Captain Studwick, as he returned with his
+well-armed party, after setting Laure's followers ashore.
+
+"We must not set him ashore with those scoundrels," said Dutch, firmly,
+"or he will contrive some plot to get back with them and retake the
+ship."
+
+Hester shuddered as she heard his words.
+
+"What would you do, then?" exclaimed Mr Parkley.
+
+"Keep him on board until we find some place to set him ashore, a couple
+or three hundred miles away--anywhere away from here."
+
+There was so much reason in Dutch's words that it was decided to follow
+his advice, repugnant as it was to have the villain with them in the
+ship.
+
+"And now then," said the captain, "my motto is, homeward bound; though
+we cannot sail with wind and tide like this."
+
+"But we must not stay so near the land," exclaimed Mr Parkley, glancing
+uneasily towards the sands, where the followers of the Cuban had been
+landed.
+
+"I'm afraid we must," was the reply; "but surely we can contrive to keep
+our prize, now we have got the upper hand."
+
+The feeling that they could neither sail nor get rid of Laure acted like
+some great depressing influence on board, but the matter was inevitable,
+for to have set him ashore would have been like putting fire to
+gunpowder, which was safe enough left alone, so careful arrangements
+were made, and these being in the face of them thoroughly secure, a more
+satisfactory influence began to pervade the vessel, and the partners
+congratulated one another on the escape they had had.
+
+As for Oakum and Rasp, they went from one to the other, chuckling and
+enjoying the interpretation that had been placed upon their behaviour,
+Oakum in particular seeming to think it the height of human enjoyment to
+have been thought such a scoundrel when he was straining every nerve to
+save his friends.
+
+Night had fallen again, and to ensure against further surprise, Dutch,
+Mr Parkley, and the captain were all on deck, well-armed and watchful,
+meaning to keep their posts till daybreak, when the schooner was to
+start on the head of the tide.
+
+Nothing more had been seen of the men set ashore, for they had plunged
+at once into the forest; and the Cuban was so well secured that little
+was to be feared from him; but all the same an uneasy feeling prevailed,
+and Dutch told himself that he should not feel satisfied till they were
+well at sea, and on reporting this to Mr Parkley, that individual
+replied:
+
+"Neither shall I, Dutch Pugh, nor yet when we have got the treasure safe
+home; for you see if that scoundrel does not go to law.  What's that you
+say, Rasp?" he said, turning sharply, for the old man was close behind.
+
+"Oh, don't you take no notice of me.  I was only chuntering to myself.
+I couldn't help hearing what you said to Mr Pugh there."
+
+Almost contrary to their expectations, the night passed without any
+alarm, and at daybreak, the tide still not serving for a couple of
+hours, Dutch and his friends went to lie down, leaving the deck in
+charge of Oakum and Rasp, with instructions to call them at a specified
+time.
+
+Dutch, however, felt that he could hardly have dropped asleep when a
+strange feeling of uneasiness came over him, and, reproaching himself
+for leaving the deck even now, he awoke fully to sit up and try to get
+rid of the confusion which oppressed him.
+
+For a few moments he could not tell whether he was awake, or dreaming
+that he was once more busy diving, for there was the clanking of the
+air-pump, splashing of water beside him, and heavy feet passing
+overhead.
+
+But it was no dream.  Hardly had the deck been placed in charge of its
+deputies, than Rasp beckoned up 'Pollo and the two sailors who had been
+so faithful to them, and began to talk in a low voice, saying something
+which evidently gave them the greatest satisfaction, and Rasp softly
+chuckled and rubbed his hands as he turned to Oakum.
+
+"I don't like it," said the old fellow; "it's cowardly."
+
+"Not it," said Rasp; "and if it is, what then?  I only mean to give him
+a dose of it, and if he dies, why that's his fault."
+
+"And ours," said Oakum.
+
+"Yah!" ejaculated Rasp.  "Look here, old squeamish, that chap's a tiger,
+and if he gets loose, he'll be the death of all on us, won't he?"
+
+"Devil a doubt on it," said Oakum.
+
+"Very well, then: I've got a score to pay him off," growled Rasp; "so's
+them poor fellows who've got the mark of his knife on them; and,
+besides, I kep him from cutting my soots to pieces on purpose to give
+him a taste."
+
+"But it's like murder," said Oakum.
+
+"It was like murder for him to cut that there chube when the best diver
+in England was down; and now we'll see how he likes it."
+
+"What, and cut the toob?" said Oakum, with a look of horror on his
+honest face.
+
+"Not I.  I'll only send the warmint down, and give him a quarter of an
+hour, that's all."
+
+Oakum gave way, and felt a grim kind of satisfaction in helping to bring
+the Cuban on deck, where, in spite of his struggles, he was forced to
+assume one of the diving suits, and almost before he knew it the helmet
+was thrust over his head and secured, making him a complete prisoner, at
+the mercy of his tormentors.
+
+"Now let the sharks have a go at him if they like," said Rasp, as he
+forced the prisoner to the side.  "I've a good mind not to give him a
+safety-line; but there, I won't be shabby."
+
+As he spoke he secured the rope to the Cuban's waist, and then, as he
+fully realised that they were going to send him overboard, he made a
+desperate struggle to free himself, but all in vain.  There were five to
+one; the gangway was open, and, acting all together, Laure was forced to
+the side, and fell backwards into the sea with a sullen plunge.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
+
+"GOOD-BYE."
+
+Rasp had placed a man at the pump and a supply of air was being kept up,
+a supply now augmented by another man being sent to help turn the wheel,
+while with a grim look of satisfaction Rasp took hold of the life-line
+and tightened it a little, to feel the unwilling diver's movements.
+
+"He'll be pulling hard directly," chuckled the old fellow.  "Only let
+him see a shark--one of his first cousins--a villain.  Wonder what Mr
+Dutch'll say when he knows how we've been serving out the scoundrel
+as--"
+
+"What does all this mean?" exclaimed Dutch, coming so suddenly upon the
+group that they started asunder, and the air-pump stopped.
+
+"On'y giving that rascal a lesson in diving," growled Rasp.
+
+"Whom?  What do you mean?  You surely don't mean to say that Laure, the
+prisoner--"
+
+"They're on'y having a lark with him, sir," said Oakum.
+
+"Quick, there!  Pump, you scoundrels," exclaimed Dutch; and the wheel
+spun round once more.  "Rasp, Oakum, pull here.  You dogs, if mischief
+has befallen that man I can never forgive you."
+
+Setting the example he hauled upon the life-line, and 'Pollo running to
+his help, the Cuban was dragged to the surface, and lay motionless on
+the deck as Dutch freed him of his helmet and exposed his livid face.
+
+"Quick!  Call up Mr Meldon," cried Dutch; but that gentleman was
+already on deck, and, to the great relief of Dutch, declared the Cuban
+to be still alive.
+
+It had been a narrow escape for him, as, between dread and the want of
+air, another few seconds would have sufficed to finish his career.  As
+it was, quite an hour escaped before he recognised those who had worked
+hard to restore him, and then it was with a malignant grin of
+disappointed malice.
+
+"He'll do now," said the doctor; and as the patient seemed disposed to
+sleep, they left him--Oakum, who was exceedingly penitent for the part
+he had taken, being stationed as sentry at the door.
+
+Meanwhile Captain Studwick had taken advantage of the breeze and tide,
+and the schooner was once more under way, threading her course amongst
+the rocks, and gradually leaving the cocoanut-fringed strand behind.
+
+Everyone was on deck watching the receding shores, and in full
+expectation of some new danger springing up to hinder their homeward
+journey, for with the treasure they had on board it was determined to
+tempt fortune no more, but to make all speed across the Atlantic as soon
+as they had cleared the inland sea.
+
+Favourable winds sped the schooner at a rapid rate through the water,
+and all seemed so peaceful and happy that it raised a feeling of dread
+in those who had found the other portion of the voyage so rife with
+peril.  Rasp shook his head, and said that they were not safe home yet,
+while Oakum was away; but as soon as Oakum began to croak and
+prognosticate evil, he changed his tone, and declared that they would
+soon be safely home.
+
+The voyage home to Hester and Bessy seemed like a glimpse of heaven, for
+Hester was ever by the latter's side, striving hard to make her forget
+the past, and revelling in her loving, grateful looks; while Bessy,
+though no words passed, knew that Meldon loved her with all his heart,
+though for her sake and lest he should arouse the jealous
+susceptibilities of her brother, he maintained silence.  But she knew
+that the day must come when he would speak, and her heart leaped with
+joy as she saw his patient assiduity in attending to her brother, who
+now turned daily more and more towards him, and sought his help.
+
+But the presence of two sick men was not without its influence on the
+little crew of the ship, and Captain Studwick, looked with nervous dread
+for what he saw must come ere long, and felt that the events might again
+be looked upon as an ill omen.
+
+For though Mr Meldon said it not in so many words, he gave him fully to
+understand that poor John Studwick's days were growing very few.
+
+In fact the doctor felt that it was an open question whether Laure or
+John Studwick would be the first to leave them, for the former seemed
+never to have recovered from the shock of his descent, but lay in a
+helpless, raving state, evidently growing weaker day by day, till, in
+place of getting up to sit and watch the sea from the cabin window, he
+now rarely rose, and then only with the assistance of old Rasp, who, as
+a kind of recompense for being the cause of his state, constituted
+himself his nurse, and waited on him night and day.
+
+"I hate him like the very old 'un," growled Rasp, when talking about him
+to Oakum; "but as I've had my bit of a go at him for what he did, I
+ain't going to see him die like a dog for want of help."
+
+And so the days glided on till the schooner, with her freight of silver,
+was in mid-ocean, and still the fates favoured them.  It was a lovely
+evening, and the sun was descending fast in the west, turning the sea
+into one heaving mass of orange and gold.  Nearly every one was on
+deck--Mr Parkley and the captain together talking of the future of the
+voyage, and Mr Wilson seated with his chin resting on his hand gazing
+pensively at Bessy, who was kneeling beside the mattress on which her
+brother lay, his great eyes looking towards the golden-flooded sky.
+Dutch and Hester, too, were together, silent and thoughtful, while the
+solemn grandeur of the scene seemed to impress even the men forward, for
+they sat about the deck almost without a word.
+
+It was with quite a start, then, that Dutch saw the doctor come up
+softly from below and approach him with a solemn look upon his face.
+
+"Is anything wrong?" said Dutch, though he almost read what the other
+had to say.
+
+"Your enemy will soon be powerless to work you evil, Mr Pugh," was the
+reply; "he is dying, I think, fast."
+
+Hester shuddered and clasped her husband's arm.
+
+"Poor wretch!" exclaimed Dutch.  "There," he cried, impetuously, "don't
+talk of enemies at such a time.  I forgive him the ill he did to me.
+May God be merciful too!"
+
+"Amen," said Hester beneath her breath; and then she shuddered and clung
+more closely to her husband, for so shaken had her nerves been that it
+seemed to her even now they were not free from the Cuban's influence.
+
+"Can you not save his life?" said Dutch.  "He should have time to
+repent."
+
+"But would he?" said Mr Meldon.  "I fear life to him would only be the
+opportunity to work us all more ill."
+
+"For heaven's sake, don't think of that, man," cried Dutch.  "Have you
+tried all you could to save him?"
+
+"I have tried all I know," said the doctor earnestly.  "I cannot think
+of one hour's lapse of duty."
+
+"No, no, of course not," said Dutch, holding out his hand.  "I insult
+you by such a supposition."
+
+"Miss Studwick is beckoning to you, Mr Meldon," exclaimed Hester
+suddenly; and turning they saw her upon her knees evidently in alarm.
+
+"Poor fellow!" muttered the doctor almost in a whisper; but the young
+couple heard him, and stood watching anxiously, for though John
+Studwick's death was expected, they had hoped that he might first reach
+home.
+
+He had been gazing for quite an hour at the glorious sky, and had
+apparently been no worse than usual; but now the change had come
+suddenly, and no one knew it more than he.
+
+For just as Bessy was bending over to speak to him, startled slightly by
+his lengthened silence, he turned to her and smiled lovingly and
+tenderly as his thin hand pressed hers.
+
+"Kiss me, Bessy," he said, in a low, strange voice; and as she gazed at
+him with dilating eyes, and pressed her lips to his, he said gently,
+"The doctor!"
+
+It was then that Bessy beckoned anxiously to Mr Meldon, who came
+hastily across the deck and knelt down, taking the hand feebly stretched
+out to him.
+
+"Not the pulse, doctor, the palm," said John Studwick, his face lighting
+up with a strange unearthly smile.
+
+"I'm not jealous now.  Be kind to my darling sister.  Good-bye."
+
+As Bessy burst into a fit of sobbing and lowered her head upon his
+breast, he laid his hand upon her glossy curls.  Then seeing his father
+bending eagerly over him, he tried to raise his other hand, but it fell
+back, his lips formed the words "Good-bye" once more; and, as his eyes
+smiled up in his father's face, the lines around them gradually
+hardened, the pupils dilated in a fixed stare, and those who gazed down
+upon him knew that the spirit had fled to its lasting home.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
+
+A PUZZLING CASE.
+
+It was about an hour later that the doctor went below to his other
+patient, to find him lying perfectly still and hardly breathing, so
+softly his pulsation seemed to rise and fall, while, faithful to his
+post, Rasp was by his side.
+
+Laure was evidently sleeping, and, after a brief examination, Mr Meldon
+turned thoughtfully away, for there were peculiarities in the case which
+he could not fathom.
+
+As he reached the deck, he was touched on the shoulder, and, turning
+sharply, he found Rasp behind him.
+
+"Is he going to die to-night, doctor, like t'other poor chap?"
+
+"I can't say, Rasp," was the reply.  "His case puzzles me.  To-night he
+sleeps so easily that he seems to me better, and as if he were rallying
+fast."
+
+"Oh no, he ain't," said Rasp, shaking his head oracularly; "that's the
+artfulness of his nature.  He's a-dying sharp."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"'Cause I heerd him a muttering to hisself when he thought as I warn't
+listening, and then he got talking to hisself in his foreign lingo; and
+when I came into sight again he began picking at his blanket."
+
+"May be," said Mr Meldon, "but all the same, he is certainly better."
+
+"Yah! stuff!" ejaculated Rasp, as he descended to the cabin.  "He's
+dying fast, and it's going to be to-night.  I can feel it as plain as
+can be, poor chap.  But he's an out and out bad 'un, and only got what
+he deserves."
+
+Rasp took several pinches of snuff in succession.
+
+"How rum this snuff is to-night," he muttered, as he settled himself on
+the locker opposite where Laure lay, and then proceeded to watch the
+night through, after refusing the help of Oakum and 'Pollo, both of whom
+had offered to relieve him, and in the course of half-an-hour he was
+sleeping heavily.
+
+And so a couple of hours glided away; when, just as all was perfectly
+silent on board the schooner, and all save the watch on deck slept
+soundly, Laure, the Cuban, rose from his simulated sleep, and after a
+glance at Rasp stole to the locker in which lay his clothes, slipped
+them on silently, and then made softly for the deck.
+
+It was no tottering walk of a feeble man, but the quick, soft cat-like
+tread of some one full of life and energy, and bent upon some set
+design.  And so it was; for the time for the execution of the fell
+purpose upon which his mind had been fixed ever since he had lain there,
+feeble at first from the shock, but daily growing stronger and
+meditating revenge, had arrived.
+
+He was too well acquainted with the routine of the schooner not to be
+fully aware of what he could do, and while the man bent drowsily over
+the wheel, and Oakum and another were on the look-out in the bows, he
+took the falls in his hands, and cleverly let the boat on the davits
+glide down and kiss the softly heaving wave almost without a sound, but
+not until he had secured the painter to one of the pins, after which he
+slid down the falls with the activity of a boy, unhooked the boat, and
+climbed back on deck.
+
+Next he paused to listen for a few moments in the darkness, and then
+with cat-like step descended into the portion of the vessel which had
+been set apart for the store connected with the diving apparatus.
+
+It was evident that he had often been here before, as he seemed to know
+where everything was kept; and after lifting down the large jar of the
+galvanic battery, which, from the care with which he took it was
+evidently half-full of acid, he bore it to the steps, and then placing
+his hand on a particular shelf he took down a canister of dynamite
+cartridges and placed it against the bulkhead.
+
+This done he felt along the shelf to where, days before, he had placed a
+large reel of thin silk-covered wire, and tying it to the loop of metal
+in one of the cartridges, he backed slowly out of the cabin, unwinding
+the wire as he went till he reached the deck, where he continued his way
+to the side, and lowered the reel into the boat.
+
+The next thing was the awkward jar of the battery; but his plans had all
+been made, and with a piece of cord he lowered it down carefully,
+raising it again and again until he felt that it rested safely in the
+bottom of the boat.
+
+Water was already there, and provisions that he had been storing up for
+days; and now the first sound that had left his lips escaped in the form
+of a low demoniacal chuckle as, lightly raising himself upon the
+bulwark, he sat there for a moment, and he shook his fist in the
+direction of the cabin.
+
+"Curse you!" he muttered.  "You thought to outwit me, but you did not
+know your enemy.  Sink! perish with the silver that carries you down,
+for revenge is sweet even at such a cost."
+
+He swung himself down by the ropes hanging from one of the davits, and
+there felt that he had outwitted himself for the boat was not beneath
+his feet, and he was getting nearly exhausted by his efforts.
+
+"I shall have to let go," he muttered; "and in the darkness I shall
+never reach the boat again."
+
+He swung himself to and fro, and struggled hard to reach the boat, but
+though he nearly touched it each time, he was never near enough to trust
+himself to lose his hold, and with the perspiration running down his
+face, and his hair bristling with horror, he began to thoroughly realise
+that his long rest in bed had weakened him terribly.  The thought was
+horrible now that he had been brought face to face with it--that he who
+had been so careful in laying his plans for the destruction of others
+had been caught in his own trap, and was himself called upon to die.
+The idea was terrible.  He was not fit to die.  When roused by his
+passions to fight desperately, he could, perhaps, have faced death with
+a certain amount of manly composure, but now swinging at the end of this
+rope, to hold on till he could cling no longer, and then plunge suddenly
+into the sea to feel the black rushing and thundering waters close over
+his head--it was too horrible to be borne.
+
+He made a desperate struggle to get his legs up, and cling with them to
+the rope, but his strength was gone, and he only weakened himself, and
+hanging now at the full stretch of his arms, feeling, as the sinews of
+his wrists seemed ready to crack, that any moment he must leave go, he--
+
+The thought was too horrible.  He could not face death; sooner must he
+shriek for help and forego his revenge--anything to be saved.
+
+His lips parted, and he tried to yell loudly, but a harsh gurgle was all
+that came now from his dry throat.  He tried again and again, but horror
+had paralysed him, and he could do nothing but pant hoarsely like one in
+a nightmare, and believe that, after all, this was but some fearful
+dream from which he would awaken, as he often had before, bathed with
+perspiration, and shivering with dread.
+
+At last he tried to close his starting eyes, and hide from his distorted
+vision the horrible resemblance of the davit above him to the gallows,
+as he swung to and fro by the rope.  But even this relief was denied
+him, for it seemed as if the whole muscular strength of his body was
+condensed in his arms, by which he clung to the fall, and power had left
+him to perform any other act than that of clinging for life.  The deadly
+sense of terror increased, and with men at either end of the vessel
+ready to come to his help--men who, by the slightest effort of will,
+could have saved him--he felt he must die.  He would have called them to
+his help now regardless of the exposure of his plans, but it was too
+late: he could do no more than hold on, and wait till he fell.
+
+No torture could possibly have been greater than that felt by this
+wretch as he softly swung to and fro within a few inches of the safety
+he had provided, and yet unable to reach it.  A thousand thoughts rushed
+through his brain, but they were mostly regrets that he had been unable
+to compass his revenge; that he had neglected his opportunities when he
+might have made himself the master of Hester, seeing how thoroughly he
+had her in his power, and his bared teeth glistened in the darkness as a
+wave curled and, splashing against the side of the schooner, sent forth
+a phosphorescent flash.
+
+And now he told himself that it was all over; he must die unrevenged,
+unable to make a single struggle, for the last moments had come, his
+muscles were relaxing, the sense of terror was growing more dull, and he
+must fall.  His eyes were staring straight up at the davit, now black
+above his head, just faintly seen through the darkness, and it seemed
+more than ever the instrument of his death as the slipping rope for a
+moment scorched his hands, his eyes convulsively closed as the strain on
+the muscles of his arms ceased, and he fell.
+
+But not to plunge into the black waters beneath him, and only a few feet
+from where he had hung, for the wave that curled against the side, and
+with its phosphorescent glare shewn his distorted features, swept the
+boat beneath his feet, and he sank all of a heap in the bows, to lie
+there motionless as the boat rose and fell.  For he was utterly
+prostrate, and it was some minutes before he could realise that he was
+still alive.
+
+When, however, by slow degrees the feeling came upon him that he was
+safe, no thanks rose to his cracked, dry lips, but a smile of malignant
+satisfaction, for revenge was still open to him, and as soon as he could
+recover himself somewhat, he might put his plan into execution.
+
+For fully half-an-hour Laure lay there crouching in the bows of the boat
+waiting for the strength that would enable him to achieve his nefarious
+ends, while the watch hung drowsily over the bulwarks, and those below
+slept peacefully, in ignorance of the horrible fate that was in store.
+
+At last, like some deadly monster uncoiling its folds, the Cuban began
+to move, and his first attempt was to reach a bottle of spirits, from
+whose gurgling throat he drank with avidity, the potent fluid giving him
+the restoration he sought.  Then as the blood began to tingle in his
+veins, he sat up, looked round, and gently chafed his benumbed arms.
+
+A slight motion in the fore part of the ship roused him to the necessity
+for immediate action, and now with eager haste he cautiously felt about,
+and placed the galvanic battery in a convenient spot, took hold of the
+reel of fine silk-covered wire, arranged it so that it was not
+entangled, and then, having assured himself that all was right, he took
+out his knife and cut the boat's painter, floating now gently away in
+the wake of the schooner, while as he did so he let the wire run rapidly
+out so that a connection was kept up.
+
+There must have been at least a hundred yards of wire, and the schooner
+glided away so gently that there was never any stress on the frail metal
+cord, till the last rings ran off the reel, when Laure, with a cry of
+exultation, checked the progress softly and felt for the wire's end.
+
+The schooner could hardly be distinguished now, and there was not a
+moment to lose, for if the wire were tightened till it dragged on the
+boat it must part, so with trembling eagerness the Cuban twisted the
+slight metal strand twice round his left hand, while with his right he
+placed the end against the brass connection of the plates in the
+battery.
+
+The work was instantaneous.
+
+As he touched the connection with the tiny point of copper there was a
+hissing noise in the jar, a little point of light darted at the end of
+the wire, and simultaneously a hundred yards away in the darkness there
+was a tremendous flash, the darkness was illuminated by a fountain of
+sparks, which rose high in air, driven by a fan-like wave of flame; the
+fire curved over, and the sparks fell hissing into the sea.
+
+As the flame rose, spreading wider and wider, there was a roar as of
+thunder, a rush as of the wind in a tempest struck Laure, the boat
+rocked to and fro, shipping no small amount of water, and the wire
+twisted round the Cuban's hand cut and bit into the flesh ere it snapped
+short off.
+
+But he did not feel the pain, and saw not the danger to which he was
+exposed as he gazed straight beyond him at the doomed ship, and exulted
+in the wild shriek of horror that he had heard as the noise of the
+explosion died away.
+
+He heard no more, for an awful silence fell upon the ocean, now blacker
+than ever, and rising up in the boat he held out one hand, shaking his
+fist in the direction where a faint glow told him of burning fragments
+of the wreck, and then with a shriek of exultation he cried--
+
+"Sink, sink, with your accursed freight.  Who wins now?"
+
+He tottered as he spoke, and though straining his voice to hurl out his
+curse at the schooner and those on board, it was but a feeble cry, and
+he fell back senseless over the thwarts to lie in the bottom of the
+boat, with the water that had been shipped washing over him.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.
+
+THE CATASTROPHE.
+
+The occupants of the cabin had sat long that night, talking of poor John
+Studwick's peaceful end, and then separated, feeling low-spirited and
+heavy, as if some fresh trouble were in store; but Bessy had said
+good-night to Meldon, with her hands resting lovingly in his, and she
+did not shrink away when he pressed his lips to her forehead.
+
+It had been arranged that the remains of the dead should be committed to
+the deep next day, and at last all had retired, after the captain and
+Dutch had heard the doctor's report of Laure's state, which caused them
+some uneasiness, for if he recovered they felt that much trouble was in
+store.
+
+But there was not the faintest suspicion of danger: trusty men were at
+the look-out and helm, and it had been arranged that Dutch was to take
+turns with the doctor and captain to visit the deck during the night,
+the doctor having his patient to watch.  Then there was Rasp, too, who
+would be on the move several times during the night, and all promised
+well.
+
+And so the time wore on till Dutch, who had lain down in his clothes,
+rose and kissed his sleeping wife as she lay there peacefully dreaming.
+All was very still, and on reaching the deck he found the darkness
+intense, but, guided by the faint glow from the binnacle lantern, he
+went aft to where Lennie was softly crooning to himself some old ditty
+about "Coming back to Sairey in the good ship Jane."
+
+"Yes, sir, all right," said the sailor; "the breeze keeps nice and
+steady, only it's like sailing in a tar barrel, it's so awful black."
+
+Dutch went forward and found Sam Oakum leaning with his elbows on the
+bulwark, matched by his companion on the other side of the bowsprit
+gazing straight out ahead.
+
+"Right as nails, sir," said the old sailor, "only I was a thinking,
+being a man as never used it, if this here sea looked as black in the
+sunshine as it do now, what a fortune a man might make in bottles o'
+ink.  You might go on filling 'em up, sir, for ever and ever, amen, and
+there'd be plenty left to sail the ships in all the same."
+
+"It is black, Sam," said Dutch, "and I often wonder that you sailors are
+not afraid of being run down, or of running into some other vessels."
+
+"There's plenty o' room," said Sam, "and as to being afraid, what's the
+use?  We're too busy.  'Course there is a collision sometimes, but not
+often, thank goodness."
+
+"Keep a sharp look-out," said Dutch, turning to go.
+
+"Ay, ay, I'll keep a sharp look-out," said the old fellow.  "Lord, it's
+ticklish work, sailing with all this silver aboard, and I shall be glad
+when we're safe in.  How's the prisoner, sir?"
+
+"I'm going down to see," replied Dutch; and going to the hatch, he
+descended, to find Rasp sleeping soundly, and the lamp burned down to a
+dim light, that did not show the state of the Cuban's berth.
+
+Dutch shook the old diver roughly, and he started up muttering, while,
+as the former turned up the lamp, he started with surprise.
+
+"Where is--"
+
+The words had not left his lips when there was a tremendous concussion,
+a deafening roar, and the two men were thrown down, to struggle up
+again, with the air of the little cabin filled with a strange choking
+vapour, which nearly suffocated them before they had staggered up the
+steps to sink helplessly on the deck, now covered with burning fragments
+which kept showering down.
+
+As Dutch fell, stunned and confused, on the fore part of the deck it
+seemed to him that he heard wild shrieks and cries for help from the
+direction of the stern cabins, but he was too helpless to comprehend
+what had taken place till he heard Oakum speaking to him and shaking his
+arm.
+
+"Are you killed, Mr Dutch?" said the old fellow.  "Oh, do say you
+ain't."
+
+"I don't think I'm hurt, Sam," faltered Dutch, as he struggled to his
+feet.  "I feel stunned, though," and he clung to the old sailor to keep
+from falling backwards.
+
+"Here's poor old Rasp killed," exclaimed Oakum, "and the ship sinking.
+Quick, to the boat."
+
+"You're an obstinate old liar," exclaimed Rasp, staggering to his feet.
+"I ain't killed.  Who's been a-doing of this?"
+
+"Here, quick, Oakum," exclaimed Dutch, who, now that he could think, had
+his first thoughts for his wife and friends, "the ship must be going
+down.  Help me to reach those astern."
+
+"There's no getting to them, if they're alive," exclaimed Oakum; "the
+whole of the schooner's blown out amidships."
+
+"Ahoy!" there came a voice from beyond the great black gulf in the
+centre of the schooner, which now began to blaze.
+
+"Who's that?  Ahoy!" shouted Dutch.  "Captain Studwick?"
+
+"Right!  Who's with you there?"
+
+"Oakum, Rasp, and one of the men," cried Dutch.  "Who's with you?"
+
+"I think all," replied the captain, shouting across the gulf.
+
+"Is my wife--Miss Studwick--safe?" faltered Dutch; and on receiving a
+reply in the affirmative, he muttered a prayer of thankfulness.
+
+The question then arose--was the schooner sinking?
+
+"I think not," shouted the captain, for a disposition was shown to get
+out the boats.  "If she was sinking, she would not begin to blaze like
+that down in the hold.  It seems to me that the explosion struck
+upwards, and that she is sound below--for the present."
+
+And so it proved; for the dynamite had ripped up the deck and snapped
+off the mainmast as if it had been the stem of a flower, and it now lay
+alongside, with such of its ropes as were out of water blazing.
+
+Not a moment was to be lost, and buckets being brought into requisition,
+the flames were attacked, for portions of the wreck below began now to
+blaze fiercely.  One of the pumps, too, was set to work, and for long
+hours nothing was heard but the hissing of the flames as they were
+attacked by the water; but all that could be done was to keep them from
+increasing, and when at last the morning broke, it was to show two
+groups, one forward, the other astern, sullenly drawing buckets of water
+and dashing them into a hissing gulf of fire in the centre of the
+schooner, from which rose a column of black smoke to spread overhead and
+form a cloud like a funeral pall for the unlucky ship.
+
+As the wind wafted the smoke on one side, Dutch waved his hand in token
+of encouragement to his wife, who stood with Bessy by the wheel, their
+task being to keep the ship's head in one direction, so that the flames
+and heated vapour should not be driven astern.  But all was done now in
+a hopeless duty-driven fashion, for those on board now realised the fact
+that it was only a matter of hours before the fire would eat its way
+through the side, and the work they tried so hard to do would be
+accomplished by the ship sinking beneath the waves.
+
+"It's of no use," said Captain Studwick at last.  "Dutch Pugh, Oakum,
+lower down that boat and come aft."
+
+This was done in a steady, deliberate manner, although at any moment a
+fresh explosion might have taken place, and the schooner gone down.  And
+into the boat Oakum, Rasp, the sailor, and Dutch lowered themselves,
+paddled along the side, and joined their companions in misfortune aft.
+
+As Oakum made fast the painter, and they all stood on the deck, Captain
+Studwick exclaimed:
+
+"Where is Laure?  We must not leave him to perish."
+
+"Is he not with you?" said Dutch.
+
+"No," said the captain, bitterly.
+
+"Has the poor wretch, then, been blown up in the explosion?"
+
+"Heaven knows," cried Mr Parkley, "but if he is missing, that explains
+all.  It is his work."
+
+"It was those blowing-up cartridges o' yourn," growled Oakum.
+
+"Of course it was, stupid," snarled Rasp, turning on the old sailor
+fiercely, "but the cartridges wouldn't go off by themselves, would
+they?"
+
+"You said he was better, doctor," said the captain.
+
+"Yes, so much so that the change was puzzling."
+
+"This was his work, then," cried the captain.  "He was well enough to
+take some terrible revenge upon us."
+
+"And to perish himself in accomplishing it," said Dutch.
+
+"Don't know that," said the captain.  "One of the boats has gone."
+
+"But it may have been destroyed in the explosion."
+
+The captain shook his head and walked to the side where the ropes and
+blocks hanging from the davits showed plainly enough that a boat had
+been lowered down.
+
+As he pointed to this the diabolical plot was made perfectly manifest,
+and its objects saw plainly enough how the villain had compassed their
+destruction.
+
+"And I was so deceived," exclaimed the doctor, stamping upon the deck in
+his rage.  "The scoundrel was ill at first, but the latter part of the
+time it was subterfuge.  Dutch Pugh, this is my fault.  I must go back
+to hospital to learn my profession."
+
+"Suppose, gentlemen, we begin to load the boat with necessaries and
+construct a raft," said the captain, bluntly.  "It strikes me that we
+have but little time to spare.  Mr Parkley, your silver is going back
+to its home at the bottom of the sea."
+
+"Yes," said that gentleman, "and where it will lie, for there seems to
+be a curse with it all along."
+
+The boat already launched was as rapidly as possible supplied with
+water, cold provisions, compass, and sail; and, as soon as these were
+in, Dutch suggested, and his proposal was agreed to, that his wife and
+the captain's daughter should be lowered down in--case of any sudden
+disposition shown by the ship to sink; but they objected to leave yet
+until one sad duty that had to be attended to was done.
+
+A funeral at sea is a sad event, and it was more painful here at such a
+time, when it was a question whether before long everyone present would
+not have to seek a resting-place in the sea.  Below lay the body of poor
+John Studwick, just as the doctor and Sam Oakum had arranged it, wrapped
+in a piece of sail-cloth, with a few heavy pieces of iron at the feet,
+waiting to take its last plunge.
+
+The second boat, only a small one, had also been laden with provisions
+and water, so that in case of emergency there was nothing to do but to
+leap into one or the other and push off; and though Captain Studwick
+proposed making a raft, that was deferred until after the funeral.
+
+It was a solemn scene as the body was reverently brought up from below
+and laid by the open gangway.  The fire still burned slowly and
+steadily, and the smoke rose and floated away like a great black plume
+far over the golden water, on whose long swell the schooner rose and
+fell as easily as if there was no ruin in her midst.  All was perfectly
+still and peaceful as, the arrangements having been made, Captain
+Studwick stood at the head of the silent, muffled figure, book in hand,
+and with trembling voice read the prayers for the dead, while those who
+clustered round forgot their sufferings and all dangers as they listened
+to the solemn words.
+
+At last the captain stopped and made a sigh, when Sam Oakum gently
+raised the end of the hatch upon which the body lay, and with a slight
+rustling noise it glided off with a heavy plunge into the sea, Bessy
+uttering now a low wail and throwing herself on the deck.
+
+She lay motionless there as, struggling hard to maintain his firmness,
+the captain finished the solemn words laid down for such an occasion,
+and then, closing the book, he was the stern man of business again.  He
+gave his orders sharply, and Dutch took his wife in his arms, made fast
+a rope round her, and lowered her into the larger boat, Bessy submitting
+herself, as Mr Meldon helped, to be lowered to her side.
+
+Mr Wilson and the doctor followed, Oakum and one of the sailors being
+the next, so as to take the management of the boat, with orders to push
+off and lie at about a hundred yards' distance.
+
+Hester half rose, with outstretched hands, but a word from Dutch
+reassured her as he set to with the captain and the rest on board to
+lower down such necessaries as the cabin contained to freight the second
+boat.
+
+This work had been going on for about half-an-hour; the boat had been
+loaded as far as was safe, and coops, spars, rope, casks, and hatches
+were being thrown over, with axes and a saw lashed to them, so as to
+construct a kind of raft from the boats, whose object was to bear the
+heavier portion of their freight, and also to act as a kind of
+breakwater in case the sea should roughen, when the boats could lie to
+leeward and wait until some vessel hove in sight to rescue them from
+their perilous position.
+
+The fire still blazed furiously, melting down the silver, old Rasp said,
+and this latter worthy had given a great deal of trouble, from the fact
+that he considered that the only thing worth saving was the diving
+apparatus.  He had strewed the deck with various articles which he had
+brought up, only to be peremptorily rejected.  And now all left on board
+found that their minutes there were numbered; but still they toiled on,
+till a warning cry from Oakum in the further boat drew their attention
+to a strange hissing noise where the fire burned most fiercely.
+
+"She's sinking," cried Dutch, as the schooner gave a heavy roll.
+
+"Yes, quick! over with you all," cried the captain.  Then, with a groan,
+"Poor old schooner! she deserved a better fate."
+
+One by one they slid down the rope left ready into the boat, till all
+were in save the captain and Dutch, neither of whom would go first.
+
+"Quick, quick!" cried Mr Parkley, "or we shall be sucked down."
+
+"Push off!" roared the captain, who saw their peril; and as they
+hesitated he seized the rope and swung himself down, Dutch leaping
+headlong into the water at the same moment.
+
+It was a close shave, for as Dutch rose and caught at the boat's gunwale
+the oars were dipped and plied manfully, while the schooner blazed now
+with suddenly increased fury, as if the flames meant to secure all they
+could before the waters seized their prey.  The vessel had begun to roll
+heavily, and the flames, which had now caught the mizen and fore masts,
+were running rapidly up the rigging, starting in tongues of fire from
+the tarry ropes, and curling up the masts till they were perfect
+pyramids of fire.
+
+Three more heavy rolls succeeded, with the hissing of the fire
+increasing to a shriek, when a cloud of steam began to rise, and the
+schooner careened over, so that those in the last boat, as they toiled
+to get sufficiently far away, could see right down into the burning
+hold.  This lasted but for a few moments though, and then the burning
+masts, with their fluttering sheets of flame, rose up perpendicular, and
+with a dive forward the vessel plunged down, there was a rushing sound,
+a tremendous explosion as the steam and confined air blew up the stern
+deck, and then the hull disappeared, followed slowly by the burning
+masts, while the small boat, with all the spars and raft material, was
+drawn towards the vortex.
+
+"Pull," shouted Captain Studwick, and the oars bent as every possible
+effort was made, but slowly and surely the boat was drawn back towards
+where coops and hatches, casks and planks, eddied round for a few
+minutes, and then disappeared.
+
+Dutch had been dragged on board, and, like the captain, he helped at an
+oar, wondering the while at the power with which they were sucked
+towards the whirlpool, round which they at last began to sail.
+
+No earthly power could have saved them had they not been able to delay
+their backward progress for a few minutes; as it was, when they neared
+the vortex, and over which a barrel was drawn, the bows of the boat were
+about to plunge down, but by a tremendous effort.  Dutch dragged the
+little vessel round, and a succession of fierce tugs sent her once more
+away from the centre, and another minute's struggle saved them, for the
+waters were less troubled now, and the danger past.
+
+As they lay off, though, they saw very few of the objects selected
+return to the surface, and at last, heartsick, but thankful for their
+escape, they gave up the idea of the raft as hopeless, and now steadily
+rowed to join their consort.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FORTY.
+
+A DREARY TIME.
+
+The occupants of the two boats, as they lay together that evening
+beneath the spangled canopy of heaven, little thought that the third of
+the schooner's boats lay within a few miles of them, with Laure on
+board, or they would not have slept in turn so peacefully and in such
+calm hope of being saved, for as the schooner sank with its treasure it
+seemed to all on board that with the silver sank the kind of curse that
+had been upon them all along.
+
+It was an empty sense of superstition, but it influenced them and
+cheered them on through the long, sunny, scorching days as they bent to
+their oars and toiled on; and in the evenings, when, taking advantage of
+the soft breezes, the little sails were spread, and they crept on ever
+north and east in the hope of gaining the course of one of the vessels
+going south or west.  But the days stole slowly by, and no sail
+gladdened their sight, and at last, as the water grew low in the little
+breakers and the provisions threatened to become exhausted, Dutch felt
+his heart sink, and told himself with a bitter smile that they had not
+yet worn out the power of the curse, if curse there were.
+
+After long days of rowing, in which every man in the boats took part in
+urging them up the sides of the long rollers and then down their
+hill-like descent, the feeling of weary lassitude made itself more and
+more felt.  They suffered, too, from their cramped position in the
+boats, but no one murmured.  Even Rasp and Oakum ceased to wrangle, and
+the former pursed up his wrinkled mouth and followed the example of
+Oakum in whistling for a favouring wind.
+
+At times the breeze would come, and, the sails filling, the boats sped
+onwards, but the few miles they made before the wind again dropped
+seemed as nothing in the immensity of the watery space around, and at
+last, half-delirious with the heat, after being reduced to a few drops
+of warm water each day, the sun went down like a great globe of fire,
+and Dutch Pugh felt that the time had come when they must die.
+
+A re-arrangement of the occupants of the boat had long been made, so
+that both Dutch and Meldon were by those they loved, and now it seemed
+that the nuptial bed of the latter would be that of death.  Hope seemed
+long before to have fled upon her bright wings, leaving only black
+despair to brood over them like the eternal night.  Hardly a word was
+spoken in either boat, and once more the rope had been passed from one
+to the other so that their desolate state might not become more desolate
+by parting company during the night.
+
+The night in question had fallen as black as that when the schooner was
+blown away, but no one heeded it, neither did they listen to the ravings
+of poor Wilson, who lay back in the stern sheets talking of his birds,
+and calling some particular pet by name.  Then he would whisper Bessy's
+name, and talk to himself constantly about his love for her, till at
+last the poor girl would be roused from her state of lethargy, and
+laying her head on Meldon's breast sob for a few minutes--dry hysterical
+sobs--and then subside once more.  Oakum sat twisting up a piece of
+yarn, crooning scraps of old songs, and 'Pollo would now and then, in a
+half-delirious fashion, try to sing the fragment of a hymn; but these
+attempts had grown now more and more spasmodic, and with the knowledge
+bluntly felt now that they had but a few fragments to support them on
+the following day, and no water, all sat or lay in a kind of stupefied
+despair, waiting for the end.
+
+Upon Dutch Pugh had of late fallen the leading of the little party, for
+Captain Studwick had been taken ill from over-exertion with his oar
+beneath the burning sun, and before dusk Dutch had directed a longing
+gaze round the horizon in search of a sail, but in vain; and now he sat
+with Hesters head resting upon his lap, her large bright eyes gazing up
+into his, as longingly and full of love as ever, till, in the madness of
+his despair, as he saw her dying before him, he had strained her wasted
+form to his breast, and held her there when the darkness fell.
+
+"Is there no hope, Dutch?" she whispered to him, faintly, as her lips
+rested close by his ear.
+
+"Yes, always--to the last, darling," he whispered.
+
+"I am not afraid to die," she whispered back; "it is for you.  If I
+could only save your life."
+
+He covered her lips with his kisses, and her arms passionately embraced
+his neck, till a kind of heavy stupor fell on both, even as on all the
+others in the boat.  The rest of the food was eaten next day, and then
+they sank back in their places to die.
+
+But their fate was not that of Laure, whose boat was never seen again.
+'Ere another day had passed, a fast steamer sighted them where they lay,
+and bore down upon them as 'Pollo, the only one with strength enough
+left, hoisted a handkerchief upon one of the oars and held it aloft.
+
+It was but just in time, and long and energetic was the attention
+required before the little party was out of danger, and by that time the
+port of Southampton was reached, and the next day--home.
+
+
+
+STORY ONE, CHAPTER FORTY ONE.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+Quite a year elapsed before the subject was broached again from a
+business point of view.  Mr Parkley had been a good deal disheartened
+by his losses, and shook his head when Dutch suggested a second trip.
+
+"No, no," he said; "no more chance."
+
+"Suppose there is no chance in the matter," said Dutch, quietly; and he
+then proceeded to tell of that which he had kept a secret in his own
+breast ever since--to wit, of the rich treasure of gold he had found,
+after the silver had been removed.
+
+"Is this a fact, or some dream left by our troubles when coming home?"
+said Mr Parkley, who looked at him in doubt.
+
+"A fact," said Dutch; and he described exactly where the treasure lay.
+
+"That's enough," exclaimed Mr Parkley.  "I had made a vow that I would
+never be tempted again; but I will this once, Dutch--this once, my lad."
+
+He kept his word, and though Hester shivered at the idea, she saw her
+husband's great desire for the trip, gave way, and prevailed upon him to
+consent to take her.
+
+For a time he held out, so painful were the recollections of the last
+voyage; but on Captain Studwick taking the command of the vessel they
+were to sail in once more, and the doctor and his newly-made wife
+begging to accompany them, he agreed.
+
+Rasp insisted upon going again, because Oakum was likely to interfere,
+and Oakum insisted on being one of the party because old Rasp would be
+there to meddle: where Sam Oakum went, 'Pollo was sure to be his
+companion.
+
+The result was that the vessel, well found and manned by a good crew,
+sailed one day, made a rough but prosperous voyage to the Gulf of
+Mexico, and there, in the placid weather they enjoyed, made first for
+one of the sunken galleons, where, after the removal of the sand, and
+the destruction of sundry sharks, so great a treasure in golden ingots
+was brought to the surface and carefully stowed away as made Mr Parkley
+propose that they should tempt fortune no further, but up anchor and go
+back home.
+
+Dutch, however, was of too manly a grit to go away without exploring the
+other galleon, and, on this being reached, a second golden store was
+rescued from the wave where it had been three hundred years--a treasure
+large enough not only to recompense all past losses, but to make its
+winners wealthy for life.
+
+So far from any imaginary curse attending this voyage, it was
+accomplished without difficulty, and home reached once more, with the
+mysteriously won treasure, of which there was much talk, but little
+information gained; for, saving what oozed out from the well-paid
+sailors, nothing was known, Mr Parkley saying that perhaps one of the
+Spanish States might put in a claim.
+
+And so ended the eventful search for the gold and silver of the Spanish
+galleons--wealth won by conquest by the filibustering followers of
+Philip of Spain, but never enjoyed by them when dragged by torture from
+the simple-hearted Peruvians, who had hidden it in the tropic sands.
+What might have been its purpose had the treasure reached the Spanish
+Court, who can tell?  Suffice it that, as far as money could do so, it
+made happy several English homes, not the least happy that of the man
+who, with true penitence, sought in the rest of his career to recompense
+the woman who had been the object of his doubts.
+
+"Yes," said he, "I was mad, and bent on seeking treasure when I had a
+greater one at home.  Ah, Hester, love, I have gone down many times, and
+have found strange things, but I shall never reach to the bottom of your
+heart, or gather all its most secret depths of love, so long as I am
+what I am, _Dutch the Diver_."
+
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER ONE.
+
+
+
+STORY TWO--VIOLETS IN THE SNOW.
+
+On one side there was a square, with trees that tried to look green in
+summer, but in winter time stuck in scraggy form out of the
+soot-peppered snow, with a beadle who wore a gold band round his hat and
+lived in a lodge, out of which he issued every morning with a thin
+rattan cane to keep away the boys; on the other side there was a row of
+goodly mansions, with a mews for the horses and carriages of the
+grandees who inhabited those mansions; and down between square and
+mansions, hidden behind the mews, as if it was a brick-and-mortar snake,
+there was Gutter-alley.
+
+People said, how could such a dirty, squalid, unhealthy,
+beggar-inhabited place get there between the mansions of the rich.
+People said so to the parish officers, and the parish officers shook
+their heads; not so much as to say that they did not know, but to imply
+thereby, a great deal, as if the wickedness of the inhabitants had
+something to do with it.  Then people said so to the dwellers in
+Gutter-alley in an ill-used fashion, to which Gutter-alley very
+reasonably replied that it must get somewhere, which was perfectly true;
+that it squeezed itself up as much out of the way as it could, which was
+also quite true; that it--to wit, Gutter-alley--did not get between the
+square and the row of mansions, but that the square came and sat upon it
+on one side, and the row of mansions came and sat upon it on the other,
+which was true again; and lastly, Gutter-alley said, where was it to go,
+for it must have living room?  Then people who knew its squalor said
+that it was all very shocking, and that a meeting ought to be held.  And
+it was very shocking, but a meeting was not held; and Gutter-alley stood
+where it had stood before, in the year of our Lord 1862, when there was
+a very great exhibition building very close at hand; and Gutter-alley
+remained an exhibition itself, staying as it did where, without much
+effort, it could have thrown a stone into the grounds of a palace.
+
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER TWO.
+
+Now, whether in summer or winter, poor people can patronise as well as
+rich; and so it fell out that the custom in poverty-stricken,
+hunger-pinched Gutter-alley was for the poor folk there to speak
+condescendingly to old Dick Bradds, when he stood at the door of Number
+5, with his poor old head on one side as he looked up the court; head on
+the other side as he looked down.  "Dickey" he was generally called, and
+more than one stout costermonger--they did a deal in costering in
+Gutter-alley, and if you penetrated into the rooms of the human
+rabbit-warren, fish could be found mingled with furniture, turnips
+amongst the wash-tubs, and a good full bucket of mussels often formed
+the seat of the father of a family while he helped his wife to make up
+ropes of onions for the morrow's sale--well, many a stout costermonger
+told his wife in confidence that old Dickey Bradds always put him in
+mind of a moulting thrush.  No inapt simile, and doubtless taken from
+the life, for there were always plenty of feathered captives to be seen
+in Gutter-alley.
+
+It was quite true Dick--old Dickey Bradds--did look very much like some
+aged and shabby bird, lame of one leg; and when he stood on a cold
+winter's morning peering up and down through the fog that loved to hang
+about the court, no one would have felt at all surprised to have seen
+the old man begin to peck, or to whet his long sharp old nose against
+the door-post.
+
+Not that Dick did do anything of this kind--he only gave two or three
+keen one-sided bird-like looks about before slowly hopping up-stairs to
+his room on the second floor--the front room--to wait for Jenny.
+
+A keen old blade though was Dick--a piece of that right good true steel
+so often to be found in the humblest implements, while your
+finely-polished, gaily-handled, ornamental upper-ten-thousand cutlery is
+so often inferior, dull of edge, and given to shut up just when they are
+wanted the most.  Dick was not human hurried up, but a piece of fine old
+charcoal-made steel.  Toil and hard usage had ground and ground Dick
+till there was little left of him but the haft, and seventy years of
+existence rubbing away through the world--that hard grindstone to some
+of us--had made that haft very rickety of rivet and springs.  Certainly
+there was blade enough left to cut in one direction, but you could not
+trust Dick for fear of his giving way, or perhaps closing upon the hand
+that employed him.
+
+It was so with poor old Dick when he left the great auction-rooms, where
+he had been kept as long as was possible; and, being proud, Dick would
+not believe in Nature when she told him that he had grown to be an old
+man, and that the time had gone by when he was lusty and strong, and
+able to lift great weights; and when Dick's fellow-porters told him that
+a piece of furniture was too heavy for him to lift, he only felt
+annoyed, and grew angry and stubborn.
+
+The fact was that Dick knew from old experience how hard a matter it was
+for even an industrious man to get a living in the great city; and for
+him, whose livelihood depended entirely upon his muscles, to turn weak
+and helpless meant misery, privation, and perhaps the workhouse for his
+old age.
+
+That was what Dick thought, and therefore he fought hard against even
+the very semblance of weakness, making a point always at the
+auction-rooms of doing far more than he need, rushing at heavy pieces of
+furniture, tiring himself with extra work, and making himself an object
+of sport to the thoughtless, of pity to his older fellow-servants of the
+firm.
+
+The consequence was that poor old Dickey Bradds had to go one day to the
+hospital, to lie there for many weary weeks, and come out at last lame
+and uncured, for at threescore and ten there is not much chance of a man
+building up new tissue, piling on fresh muscle and strength, and
+renewing the waste of so many years.
+
+Poor old Dick left the hospital a confirmed cripple, but hopeful ever of
+regaining his strength and activity--at least he said so, whether merely
+to cheer up his grandchild or to mask his sufferings, that was known
+only to his own heart.
+
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER THREE.
+
+Now this was how old Dick became a cripple.
+
+It was early in winter, and there was a heavy sale on at the rooms, for
+the furniture of a noble mansion had been sent up from the country, and
+bargain-hunters and Jew brokers were there that day in force,
+chaffering, running down the value of the goods they coveted, and
+turning the crowded room into a Babel of confusion.
+
+The sale was progressing, and under the superintendence of one Joseph
+Brown, the head porter, the lots had been submitted to competition with
+ease and facility.  Old Dick had as usual been working very hard, but,
+not content to show the others his power, he sought to do more.
+
+"You can't take that there chist o' drawers down," said the head porter,
+a man most careful in the way in which he looked after the corners and
+polish of pieces of furniture, saving them from scratch and chip.  So
+careful, in fact, was Brown that he had never had time to look after the
+polish and corners of her Majesty's English, which he chipped and
+scratched most terribly.  So "you can't take that there chist o' drawers
+down," said Brown, "it's too much for you;" and he meant it kindly,
+though his words were rough.
+
+"You wouldn't ha' talked to me like that ten year ago, Joe Brown!"
+quavered Dick, turning angrily upon the porter, for he was hurt and
+annoyed at being spoken to before the other men.
+
+"I didn't mean to hurt the poor old chap," said Brown at home to his
+wife that night, "for I like old Dick, who's as honest and true-hearted
+an old chap as ever stepped.  All the years we've been together I never
+knew Dick do a man an ill turn; while the way he turns out o' Sundays to
+take that there granchile of his to a place o' wasshup ought to be a
+patten for some on us.
+
+"In course I wouldn't ha' spoke to him in that way ten years ago: for
+why? 'cos he could ha' carried the chist o' drawers easily; but 'stead
+o' actin' sensible, he was that proud, bless you, that he wriggled
+hisself under 'em like a young cuckoo with a hegg, hystes hisself up
+slowly by taking hold of the bannisters, and then begins to stagger
+downstairs.
+
+"`Now then: lot 'underd and two, waitin' for lot 'underd and two,' they
+calls out below.  `Comin'--comin'--comin',' pants out Dick; and I see as
+it was too much for the poor old chap, who felt touched at being thought
+past his work, though the governors only expected him to take down the
+light things.  So seeing how matters stood, I steps forrard to help him,
+when if he didn't seem to shut up all at once like; and that there chist
+o' handsome French-polished mahogany drawers, 'underd and two in the
+catalogue, went downstairs a deal too fast for its constitution.
+
+"Poor old Dick! he never groaned nor made no fuss when we got him down
+to the cab to take him to the 'orsepittle, although his poor old leg was
+broke, through his coming down a whole flight arter that there chist o'
+handsome French-polished mahogany drawers; but his lips was shaking, and
+his face drored as he gets hold of my button and pulls me to him, and
+says, says he, `This'll be a sad upset for my Jenny, but don't let 'em
+frighten her, Joe Brown, don't please.  You're a married man and got
+feeling, though I spoke nasty to you just now.  Please go and tell her
+gently, yourself.  O, Joe, I shan't be able to help in many more sales.'
+
+"Poor old chap, how the tears did run down his cheeks as he whispered me
+again--
+
+"`Don't say it's much, Joe; tell her it's a bit of a scratch, and she
+isn't to fidget about me.  Tell her gently, Joe; good bye, Joe; I shall
+be over again to-morrow or next day, Joe; and, Joe,' he calls out in his
+weak piping way, as the keb begins to move, `Joe,' he says, `just take
+my apern and give the lookin'-glass in the big wardrobe a bit of a rub
+before it comes down; and don't forget about Jenny.'
+
+"Poor old Dickey: got his 'art in his work, he had; and somehow as he
+went off, and I knew as we shouldn't never see him again at work, if we
+ever see him at all, my nose wanted blowing to that degree that nothing
+couldn't be like it; and it's my belief, Sarah, if I hadn't been roused
+up by a call for the next lot, that I should have turned soft; for you
+see, says I to myself, I says, suppose as that had been me.
+
+"But he told me to tell Jenny gently, and I did."
+
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+Old Dick went no more to porter at the rooms when he came out of the
+hospital; his smoothly-shaven face did not peer out of windows where he
+was hanging out hearthrugs with, pinned upon them, the bills announcing
+the capital modern household furniture for sale; but when he returned to
+Gutter-alley, Dick would always be clean-shaven of a morning, spending
+an hour over the process, pulling out wrinkles to get at the silver
+stubble lurking in the bottoms of the furrows, and stopping at times,
+when his hands grew tremulous, to rest.  Many was the time that his
+grandchild, Jenny, would have to run down in haste to fetch a bit of
+cobweb from the cellar to stay the bleeding when that tremulous old hand
+did make a slip, for the nap upon Dick's Sunday hat was too scarce to be
+used up in so wanton a way.
+
+But at last Dick would strop and put away his razor and shaving-brush,
+hang up the little glass, and then tie on a clean white apron, take his
+round carpet-cap down from a nail and carefully put it on so as not to
+disarrange his grey locks, and then sit patiently nursing his porter's
+knot and waiting, as he used to tell Jenny, for a job.
+
+"Strong, my little lass?  Strong as ever," he'd say.  "If I could only
+get this leg right;" and then Jenny would drop her work, take his old
+face between her plump little hands, kiss him tenderly, and tell him to
+wait a little.
+
+So old Dick Bradds used to wait on, day after day, waiting for the jobs
+that never came, and the injured leg did not get right.  The old man's
+strength sufficed to carry him down to the front door and back again.
+Down he would go slowly, holding tightly by the balustrade, one leg
+always first, till he reached the bottom, where the mat should have
+been, only they could not afford mats in Gutter-alley, and then as
+regularly as possible the old man, in his thankfulness at being able to
+walk so far, would take off the old carpet-cap and say softly, when
+there was no one by, "Thank God!" and the same again when, after a visit
+to the front door and a glance up and down the court, he had slowly and
+painfully made his way up to his own room.
+
+Jenny would have helped him; but no: the old man could not shake off the
+belief that he was in a state to do heavy work and to help his child.
+There was too much determination left yet in the old piece of steel, and
+heedless of rust and weakness Dick struggled up and down.
+
+People used to say that Sharpnesses, the great auctioneers, ought to
+have pensioned old Bradds, but they were people who made money fast, and
+knew its value in too worldly a way to pension worn-out servants, so old
+Dick had to live as he could.
+
+Jenny was Dick's support--Jenny, his grandchild--Jenny Blossom, as they
+called her in Gutter-alley.  She was the last of the family--father,
+mother, and another child had died in Gutter-alley, where fevers used to
+practise and get themselves into full strength before issuing out to
+ravage the districts where sanitary arrangements were so perfect.
+
+The place was very foul, but somehow Jenny grew brighter day by day, and
+the old crones of the alley used to chuckle and say no wonder, for
+flowers always throve in the dirt.  At all events, the foul odours did
+not take the bloom from her cheek, and when fever or cholera held high
+revel, Jenny had passed scatheless through trials when scores had fallen
+around.
+
+Every one spoke well of Jenny; untidy women with bare arms and rough
+hair always had for her a pleasant look; great hulking market-attending
+men, with hoarse voices, would always stand aside for Jenny to pass; and
+the slatternly girls of the alley, though they occasionally glanced at
+her with envious eyes, displayed no open jealousy.  Away from
+Gutter-alley it was different, but in the forty houses of the court, and
+their four or five hundred inhabitants, there was not one who did not
+look up to Jenny Blossom.
+
+And no unsuitable title was that--Jenny Blossom; for whether taken in
+connection with her young and blooming face, or her trade, the name
+seemed equally adapted.  Ask for her as Jane Bradds, and people would
+have shaken their heads; though the mention of Jenny Blossom brought a
+bright look into perhaps a scowling face; and Number 5 in the court was
+indicated directly.
+
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+Number 5 in the court!  Come up the four flights of creaking stairs to
+the only bright thing in the crowded place--the only bright thing likely
+to meet the eye, where squalor, misery, poverty, wretchedness, filth,
+and sickness ran riot.  Breakfast is over, and, so that Jenny's needle
+shall not be stayed, Dick has himself washed and put away the two cups
+and saucers, and now sits by the fire drying the splashes upon his white
+apron.  His carpet-cap is upon his head, and his porter's knot rests
+against his chair.  The only sound in the room is the click of Jenny's
+thimble, as it sends the sharp needle flying through the hard slop-work
+upon which she is busy.
+
+Pretty?  Well, yes, there is the beauty in her face of youth.  No
+Grecian-cut lines or finely chiselled features, but the simple bright
+countenance of an English girl, as she bends over her work.
+
+Jenny's face was never pale, spite of the mephytic gases of
+Gutter-alley; but the rosy flush upon it deepened as a step was heard
+upon the stairs, followed by a tap at the door.
+
+A querulous "Come in!" from old Dick, and then a tall, stout young
+fellow entered, bearing a basket of violets, whose sweet fragrance
+filled the room.
+
+"Oh, it's you, is it, Harry?" said the old man.  "Had you got money
+enough?"
+
+"O yes, plenty; but I spent it all," was the reply.  "The flowers are
+rare and fresh this morning."
+
+"That's right, Harry--that's right," quavered the old man.  "Set 'em
+down--set 'em down.  And now what's to pay?"
+
+"Pay?  What for?" was the rather gruff response, as the new-comer looked
+hard the while at Jenny.
+
+"For your trouble, Harry.  You ought to take something for your
+trouble."
+
+"'Tisn't trouble!" said the young man, more gently, still looking hard
+at Jenny, who never raised her eyes from her work.  "When I'm at market,
+as I've often said before, it isn't much to bring home a few bunches of
+flowers.  I should like to bring them every morning, if I may."
+
+He still glanced at Jenny, as if he hoped that the permission might come
+from her; but she made no sign, and old Dick himself broke the awkward
+silence by thanking the young man once more, and he then took his
+departure with a disappointed aspect.
+
+The flower-bearer slowly descended the stairs, nettled at the calm,
+patronising manner adopted by the old man.
+
+"Poor old chap," he muttered; "I wonder what he really does think."
+
+He said no more, for at the foot of the stairs he encountered a
+smartly-dressed youth, apparently a junior clerk in some city office.
+
+The look which passed between the young men was of no very friendly
+character; but, directly after, each went upon his way, thinking of his
+rival--the violet-bearer to his little half stall, half shop, where he,
+in a very humble fashion, contrived to make a good living--the other,
+smiling with contempt, ascending to old Dick Bradds' abode.
+
+For be it known that fair young Jenny Blossom was not without suitors,
+who were both at this time anything but peaceful at heart, since there
+was plenty of jealousy and annoyance at Jenny's coldness.  They called
+it coldness, though hardly with justice, for the visits were none of
+Jenny's seeking, since she, poor girl, loved her grandfather, and though
+she confessed to herself that it was kind of Harry Smith to bring the
+violets, and to save her from going to the wet, cold market so early in
+the morning, yet she would very much rather that both--well, that Mr
+John Wilson, Sharpnesses' clerk, would stay away.
+
+But John Wilson was quite a favourite with the old man, and the intimacy
+had arisen when at several times the former had been the bearer of
+various small gratuities from the great auction firm to their old
+porter, while he was weak from his accident.  Dick admired the young
+fellow's appearance and his smart way of dressing, so different from the
+fustian of Harry Smith, and upon more than one occasion he proved that
+years had not made him perfect, for said he, "Only think what a good
+thing it would be for you, my pet," referring, of course, to John
+Wilson's attentions; "what would become of you if I were taken away?"
+
+Jenny said nothing, and the old man talked on under the impression that
+affairs were as they were years before, and quite oblivious of the fact
+that Jenny had been for some time past his sole stay and support; and
+that if the young girl, with her busy fingers morning and evening, and
+the sale of her violets in the cold streets in the afternoon, could
+supply sustenance for both, her fate would not have been so very hard
+had he been taken away.
+
+But there were other feelings animating the breast of old Dick Bradds,
+and he would have liked to see that the young girl had some one to take
+his place as protector before the great change came, about which he
+never attempted self-deceit.
+
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER SIX.
+
+Gutter-alley was certainly a gloomy home, but somehow time glided on as
+swiftly there as in more favoured spots.  A year soon sped.  The
+attentions of the young men had been incessant, but they had made no
+progress in their suits, for the love of Jenny continued to be centred
+in her grandfather, and if she had any to spare it was devoted to the
+row of flowers in her window, sickly plants which, sheltered though they
+were from the cold weather without, grew long of stalk and leaf as they
+strained and struggled to reach the light.  But Jenny's patience was
+vain; the flowers always ended by drooping, turning yellow, and slowly
+withering away, even as drooped the wretched birds, supposed to be
+fowls, which pecked about in the alley, dropping a feather here and a
+feather there in their perpetual moult and raggedness, but about which
+fowls there was a legend known to every child in the court, in which it
+was related that the feathery scarecrow known as "the hen" had once laid
+an egg--a real genuine egg like those labelled at the cheesemonger's as
+"Sixteen a shilling," though no one had ever been found, from the owner
+of the fowls to the youngest inhabitant, who could conscientiously
+declare that he or she had seen that egg in its new-laid form.
+
+For, as has been before hinted at, Gutter-alley had an atmosphere of its
+own, where not only flowers had their life dried out of them, but human
+beings grew more sickly day by day.  The children became pale and
+stunted of growth; their elders unwholesome of mien and habit.  It was
+one of Death's London strongholds, and the visits of parish surgeon and
+undertaker were frequent here.  The close crowded court was one of the
+spots where typhus lived till it was tired, surfeited with the ill it
+had done, when for a time it slept.
+
+It was summer, and there was much meeting of women in the court, where
+they would stand together after their fashion, with apron-wrapped arms,
+to gossip and compare notes.  Now there was a funeral, and that had to
+be discussed, being considered a decent berryin, wherein all took deep
+interest, for most likely the majority had subscribed their mites to
+assist the neighbour in trouble.  No matter how poor the sufferers, a
+decent funeral must be had; and it was no uncommon thing for the
+undertaker to be called upon to take off the bare, wretched,
+poverty-stricken aspect of the parish shell by decking it with a few
+rows of black nails, and a breast-plate and set of handles.
+
+Now the doctor had been seen to go into Number 8.  Where would he go
+next?  How was Mrs Rose?  Was Banks's child better?  Would Widow
+Robinson and the five little ones have to go to the workhouse?  Plenty
+of such questions were discussed in those days; and it happened that as
+four of the women were watching for the return of the doctor from one
+house, that, laden as usual, Harry Smith came up the road, set down his
+basket, and then, taking out almost an armful of moss roses, he was
+about to enter the door of Number 5, when one of the women partly
+covered her face with her apron, and then whispered something to the
+young man, which made him hesitate for a moment.  Directly after he
+smiled, shook his head, and entered the house, to return in a few
+minutes without the roses.
+
+The next morning he found that there was still a discussion going on in
+the court, and on approaching the door of Number 5 it was shut, and
+entrance was denied.
+
+He could not see any one, a parish nurse said, for the fever was very
+bad in the house, as at many more in the court; and the young man sighed
+as he went away to encounter John Wilson at the end of the alley,
+glancing down it for a moment before passing on again.
+
+For the fever was bad indeed, and once and twice a day shabby funeral
+processions left the place.  Now that the trouble had come, parish
+meetings were held, and timid men made some little paltry attempts at
+battling and staying the progress of the distemper.  But in spite of all
+they could do, the fever still raged; and at last, when he came one
+morning, Harry Smith learned from the women of the court that Jenny
+Blossom lay a-dying.
+
+No one now saw the blooming girl, basket in hand, go out to sell her
+fragrant flowers, and Number 5 was shunned as the blackest plague spot
+in the court.
+
+But still, day by day, came Harry Smith to the door, where he was never
+admitted.  Not laden now with heavy bunches of flowers, but bearing a
+few sweet buds, to send by the hands of the nurse to the sick girl's
+room.  Twice over though had Hany to stop shuddering, to let the bearers
+of something pass.  Shuddering from no selfish fear, but lest _some one_
+might have been suddenly snatched away.  For in those times he knew that
+it was not long before the cold harshly-shaped coffin was called into
+requisition, and his dread was great until the woman at the house set
+him at rest.
+
+Then came Harry's turn: one morning he tried to rise for his market
+trip, but only to find that he had been stricken down by the enemy, and
+he was soon fighting hard with the fever that had fastened on him.
+
+It was a long hard fight that, but Harry was young and hopeful, he had
+much to live for, and he won the victory, but only to be left weak as a
+little child, and unable to stir from his humble bed.
+
+As soon as he could crawl about, by the help of a stick, Harry's steps
+were directed to Gutter-alley, where, after a long and painful walk, he
+stood leaning against a wall for support, feeling deadly faint, for
+there was another funeral at Number 5.
+
+"From which room?" he asked huskily, for there was one of the court
+women at his side.
+
+"Second floor front," was the reply, and the young man groaned, impotent
+to ask further questions.
+
+"Is it--is it?" he could say no more; but the woman divined his
+thoughts.
+
+"No, no!" she answered eagerly, "the poor darling has been spared.  It
+is the old man who is gone to his long home.  Jenny has been about this
+fortnight now, and nursed the old man through it all."
+
+"Was it fever?" asked Harry, more for the sake of speaking than from
+curiosity, for he wanted to conceal his weakness as far as he could.
+
+"Some say it was; but I don't think so," she replied.  "But you ought to
+be at home, with the rain falling like this.  Why, you look fit to be in
+your bed and nowhere else."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Harry, "I'll go soon."
+
+"He was very old," said the woman; "I knew him years ago, when I lived
+over there, before he broke his leg.  I've been to see Jenny, God bless
+her!  She's half brokenhearted, and has now no one to look up to."
+
+Harry Smith, in spite of the inclement, wintry weather, stopped by the
+mouth of the court awaiting the coming of the funeral, and a faint flush
+came into his hollow cheeks as he thought of the woman's last words, and
+wondered whether Jenny would now choose a protector, and whether that
+protector would be John Wilson.
+
+
+
+STORY TWO, CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+Harry Smith, the very shadow of his former self, waited until the
+procession neared, and then stood aside to let the one sad woman pass to
+the shabby funeral carriage, after which he made his way back into the
+court, to listen to the narrative of the sad havoc worked by the disease
+while he had been tossing in delirium upon his own pallet.  But he went
+home sad and yet happy, as he pondered upon some information he had
+gained from the neighbours; for he learned for certain that no one whose
+visits he had dreaded had passed up the court to Number 5.
+
+The days glided on.  It was the depth of winter, and the snow lay
+thickly upon the house-tops.  It was churned up into a black mud
+sometimes in the streets; but, in spite of powdering blacks, it still
+struggled to lie white and pure upon the ledges and window-sills.  The
+storm came again and again, and Jenny's window-sill was covered, and
+somehow in the morning, when she rose, there lay a tiny bunch of sweet
+violets in amongst the snow.  From whence did the offering come?  There
+was but one explanation--it must have been thrown across from a
+neighbour's window; and morning after morning the flowers were there,
+and as Jenny took each bunch and placed it in water she thought of the
+market and its floral treasures even at that season of the year, and a
+blush burned hotly in her cheek, for she remembered who had brought
+roses during the illness, and wondered why he had ceased to come.
+
+There was much for Harry to ponder upon, though, in the long hours
+during which, for want of strength, he was compelled to remain idle; he
+thought of his own rough ways and garb, as compared with the bearing and
+dress of his favoured rival; telling himself that he was mad and foolish
+to expect that Jenny could prefer him to the man chosen by her
+grandfather.  If she could only read his heart aright, he thought that
+there might be hope for him; but how could he expect that!
+
+And time still sped on, giving to Harry Smith once more muscle and
+vigour, but little peace of mind, since now Jenny declined to let him
+bring her flowers, for she kept entirely to her needlework, lodging with
+an old widow on the opposite side of the court.  But the flowers once
+more began their struggle for life in Jenny's window, and with better
+success, for there was quite an hour's more sun on that side of the way,
+so that the once bare window-sill grew gay with bright-hued blossoms.
+
+But as Jenny grew brighter with her flowers, day by day, Harry Smith's
+heart grew sad within, for with her consent or not--how could he tell?--
+John Wilson, the fair-weather friend, was frequently to be seen by the
+young girl's side, as she was going to and from the warehouse whence she
+obtained the work which made sore her little fingers.  Harry knew not
+that poor Jenny was pestered sadly, and went to the warehouse at
+different hours each day, so as to avoid a meeting.  Harry judged only
+from what he saw, and grew daily more disheartened and sad.  He did not
+rail against her, he only blamed his own folly, and at last made up his
+mind to leave the country--his attention having been taken by the
+inducements held out by emigration placards.
+
+But this was not until nearly a year had passed, and now that his mind
+was fully made up, he watched for an evening when he could see Jenny
+alone, and tell her--he thought he would like to tell her how he had
+loved her--before he went.
+
+Harry's words were nearly left unsaid; for it happened that one evening
+he saw Jenny hurrying through the busy streets laden with the work she
+was taking home, and at a short distance behind he could make out John
+Wilson following rapidly in her steps.
+
+The sight made the young man's heart sink within his breast, and he was
+about to turn back when he saw that the young girl was panting beneath
+her burden, and half angrily he hastened up, and asked if he might carry
+it, determined for this time not to be driven away.
+
+And it came to pass that evening that as they stepped into the quieter
+streets the bells of one of the old churches began to peal up joyfully
+for a practice, and it may be they inspired the young man with hope to
+declare his intentions, and then to his own surprise he grew warm and
+eloquent, reproaching his companion even for her conduct towards one who
+had loved her long and well.
+
+"O Jenny!" he exclaimed, "I have always looked upon you as a violet
+growing therein--"
+
+"A violet in the snow," she said archly, as she gazed in his face; and--
+well, the street was very dark--he held her for a moment in his arms.
+
+She shrank from him startled and angry, and he felt hurt once more.
+
+"Ah!" he said bitterly, as they reached the door in the alley, "fine
+feathers make fine birds, and perhaps Jenny Blossom likes such birds to
+watch for her, and follow her about."
+
+"Can I help it, Harry?" said Jenny softly, as she laid one little
+work-scarred hand upon his.  "I have no one to protect me," and before
+he could speak again she had hurried up-stairs.
+
+There must have been something more than the ordinary interpretation of
+those words, so effectually to drive away Harry Smith's anger.  Perhaps
+it arose from the way in which they were said.  At all events John
+Wilson must have imagined that a fresh plague had broken out in the
+court, for he came near no more; and at one regular hour every evening
+Harry was to be seen accompanying the dainty little maiden to the
+warehouse, turning himself into a regular pack-horse with parcels, and
+all to the great hindrance of the emigrating scheme.
+
+And so weeks--months passed, and then something more must have been
+said; for one day Harry Smith was seen busily carrying Jenny's
+flower-pots from her lodging to his own home, which could have been from
+no other reason than that Jenny had at last consented to tend them
+there, and send brightness to the honest young fellow's home.  And so it
+passed, for from that time Jenny Blossom's name faded out of the
+chronicles of Gutter-alley.  Year after year, though, when tiny little
+blue-eyed children were born to Harry in the cold wintry season, there
+was a fancy of his which may be recorded.  It was only the fancy of a
+rough, honest worker--a soldier in the fight for life; but all the same,
+the idea had its tinge of poetry.  The idea was this--to say that the
+tiny blossoms that came to find this world in its wintry garment of
+purity were like Violets in the Snow.
+
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER ONE.
+
+
+
+STORY THREE--NIL DES.
+
+JOHN RICHARDS' HOUSEKEEPER.
+
+"Git along, do, with such clat."
+
+"But, Keziah--dear--only listen to me!  Here's winter coming on fast,
+and what could be a better time for getting it over?  What's cold got to
+do with it, Keziah, when there's a warm and manly heart beating away for
+you at such a rate as to keep you warm and itself too?  Say yes,
+Keziah!"
+
+"I won't."
+
+"Only think of how happy we should be, with you at your housekeeping,
+and me with my tallers!"
+
+"And smelling ten times worse of burnt mutton-chops than you do now when
+you come."
+
+"Smell, Keziah!  Oh, what's smell when him as smells loves you?  Ah,
+Keziah!  I did think you'd got a heart that I could melt like good
+quality fat; but it's a stringy and gristly heart, Keziah, one as is
+full of pride.  On my bended knees I ask you to say yes."
+
+"Git up, do, with your clat.  The idee of going down on the carpet like
+that, just for all the world like a man in a stage-play.  Such stuff
+indeed.  If you don't get up directly I'll run out of the room, that I
+will.  Do you take me for a silly girl? at my time of life too."
+
+"No, Keziah," said the man of bended knees, rising slowly to stand once
+more, a fat, podgy little fellow, whose anxious face grew more ludicrous
+each moment.  "No, Keziah, I only take you for a very hard-hearted
+woman."
+
+"Don't be a noodles, Peter," exclaimed Keziah.  "Didn't I always tell
+you, when I gave consent for you to come and see me, that I'd never
+think of marrying till Miss May was settled?"
+
+"Yes, you did," said Peter, "but she's such a long time over it."
+
+"Stuff!" said Keziah.
+
+"But she is indeed," cried Peter, trying to catch one of the lady's
+hands in his.  "You see she's only nineteen, and can afford to wait a
+few years.  But you see, dear, I'm forty, and you are--"
+
+"Yes, I know, I'm forty, too, and I'm not ashamed of it, so you needn't
+twit me with that," said Keziah snappishly.  "I'm in no hurry to change
+my name into Pash--Pash indeed.  I'm sure Bay's ever so much better."
+
+"It is!  I know it is," said Peter, "and I didn't twit you about your
+years.  Ain't I always said that you were just growing into your prime?
+But I see how it is: it's pride--it's the pride of the composites,
+Keziah, and you're trying to throw me over after I've been a true lover
+all these years."
+
+"Are you going to talk sense; or am I to leave you to chatter that
+sickly twaddle to the cat?--true lover indeed!"
+
+"Go it!" cried Peter, "it's pride!  I can see through it all.  Why don't
+you be open with me?  But, mark my words, Keziah, there's more sterling
+substance in a short six, or even a height, than in all your grand
+composites, as set themselves up for sparm or wax.  I'm tallow, I am,
+and I respect tallow.  I like people not to be ashamed of their
+position.  We can't all be wax, nor yet sparm, so why not be content as
+a good honest dip, or a mould!  Why, even your twelve or fourteen has a
+honesty about it that your sham, make-believe imitation wax don't
+possess--things as won't stand so much as a draught of air without
+flaring, and guttering down, and spattering all over your carpets.  It's
+pride, Keziah, and that's all about it."
+
+"No, it ain't," said Keziah quietly.
+
+"To throw me over like this," continued Mr Pash in injured tones, "and
+after all my attentions and presents."
+
+"Presents, indeed!" exclaimed the lady, "attentions!--very delicate
+attentions.  Kidneys, that you got out of the nasty fat that you buy of
+the butchers."
+
+"But I never brought one as was the least tainted," said Peter, "and you
+always said there was nothing nicer for supper."
+
+"And, pray, who always ate a good half?" retorted Keziah angrily.
+
+"But I never should have touched 'em if they hadn't been so gloriously
+cooked--such brown--such gravy!  O, Keziah, don't be hard on me," sighed
+Peter.
+
+"Peter Pash!" exclaimed the lady indignantly, "you're a great goose; and
+if I didn't know that you'd been sitting here three hours without
+nothing stronger than small beer before you, I should say you'd been
+drinking.  Now, once for all, you can come if you like, or you can stay
+away if you like.  I'm not going even to think about getting married
+till Miss May's settled, and that won't be well, never mind that.  Now
+go home."
+
+"Yes, my dear," said Peter in a resigned way, and taking his hat off the
+sideboard he began to brush the nap round and round very carefully.
+"But you're very hard on me, Keziah."
+
+"Didn't I tell you to go?" said the lady.
+
+Peter Pash sighed and drew the back of his hand across his mouth, but
+then his heart failed him, and he shook hands and said "good-night"--
+words which seemed thrown back at him by the lady of his heart; directly
+after he withdrew in accordance with the line in italics which appeared
+at the bottom of his tallow-chandler's trade card--"N.B.  Orders
+punctually executed!" leaving Keziah Bay, cook and housekeeper to John
+Richards, the old money-lender, of Walbrook, nipping her lips together,
+beating one foot upon the fender, and frowning very fiercely at the
+fire.
+
+For this had been a very exciting affair for Mrs Keziah Bay, since,
+heretofore, Peter Pash's custom had been to come three times a week to
+Walbrook, where he would sit in the half kitchen, half sitting-room, of
+the dingy old mansion--a house built in the days when merchants
+condescended to live over their offices, with bedrooms looking down upon
+warehouse or yard--sit and smoke a pipe while Keziah darned her master's
+stockings; stare at her very hard, sup, and say "good-night," and then
+go.  That was the extent of Peter Pash's courting.  He had certainly
+once before said something respecting wedding, and been snubbed into
+silence; but only that once; hence, then, this had been rather an
+exciting time at Walbrook, and for more reasons than that one.
+
+Mrs Keziah Bay had not been thoughtfully tapping the old-fashioned
+brass fender with her foot for more than five minutes before the door
+softly opened and a slight girlish figure entered, to steal quietly to
+the comely dame's side, kneel down, and clasp two little white hands
+round her waist.
+
+"That means trouble, I know," said Keziah sharply, but all the same one
+of her hands was passed caressingly over the soft brown hair, and her
+lips were pressed to the white upturned forehead.  "That means trouble,
+and worry, and upsets, or you wouldn't come to me.  Now, what is it?
+But there: I know: you've been thinking about Frank Marr; haven't you?"
+
+A sigh was taken for an affirmative answer, and Keziah continued:
+
+"What's Mr Brough been here for to-night?"
+
+"Don't talk about it--don't ask me!" cried the kneeling girl, who now
+burst out into a passion of weeping.  "O, 'Ziah, what shall I do, what
+shall I do?"
+
+"Why, tell me all about what you're crying for, to be sure," cried
+Keziah sharply; but all the same with a motherly attempt or two at
+soothing.  "Surely master hasn't been at you again about Mr Frank, has
+he?"
+
+"O, yes--yes," sobbed the girl; "and it does seem so cruel and hard.  O,
+'Ziah, I've no one to talk to but you--no one to ask for help.  He talks
+as if Frank could help being poor, and not prospering in his business,
+when, poor fellow, he strove so hard."
+
+"But what did he bring all that up for?" cried Keziah.  "Mr Frank
+hasn't been here these two months, I'll swear.  Did you say anything?"
+
+"No, no!" sobbed the girl, bursting into a fresh paroxysm of weeping.
+
+"Then some one must have brought it up.  There, I see plain as plain.
+Bless him!  He ought to be boiled in his own sugar, that he ought!  He's
+a nice fellow, he is, for a sugar-baker, to come here tattling and
+setting people against other people."
+
+"What do you mean?" sobbed May Richards, gazing wonderingly at her
+comforter.
+
+"Mean?  Why, that that old Tom Brough ought to be ashamed of himself to
+come tattling to master about Mr Frank.  That was it, wasn't it?"
+
+"No, no!" sobbed the poor girl wearily.
+
+"Then what did he come for?" said Keziah.
+
+There was a pause, during which May wept bitterly.
+
+"I shall go and ask master myself," said Keziah authoritatively, as she
+half rose.  "I'm not going to have my child upset like this for
+nothing."
+
+"No, no, no!" sobbed May.  "Pray stay, 'Ziah--dear 'Ziah, don't be
+angry, and I'll tell you all."
+
+"Then what is it?" said Keziah.
+
+"Mr Brough--"
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Mr Brough has been to talk to papa."
+
+"Well, go on, child, for goodness' sake, and do wipe your eyes.  He's
+been to talk to master, and what about, pray?"
+
+"About me," sobbed May.
+
+"Well, and pray what about you?"
+
+"He came to propose, and papa gave him leave."
+
+"To propose what?" said Keziah.  "There, for goodness gracious in heaven
+sake, child, speak out and do not keep on riddle-me-riddle-me-reeing in
+that way.  What did he want?  Why!" she exclaimed, as a sudden light
+seemed to break upon her, "he ain't broke, and come after money?  Not he
+though, he's as rich as a Jew.  What does it all mean?"
+
+"He came to propose, and papa ordered me to accept him," sobbed Mary;
+"and when I told papa that I considered myself engaged to poor Frank, he
+was ready to strike me, and he cursed him, and called him horrible
+names, and said he would sooner see me dead than married to such a
+beggar, and that I was to accept Mr Brough's offer."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Keziah, her eyes dilating as she caught May by the
+shoulders, and seemed to look her through and through.  "Do you mean to
+tell me that old Tom Brough, the sugar-baker, wants to marry you, and
+that master said he should?"
+
+"Yes, yes," sobbed May.  "O, 'Ziah, I'm half brokenhearted.  What shall
+I do?"
+
+"Do!" cried Keziah fiercely; "I'd have knocked their heads together.
+Old Tom Brough!  An old villain!  An old rascal!  He's sixty, if he's an
+hour.  It's a good job for him he's gone.  Sneaking out as he did, and
+giving me five shillings when he went.  Ah! if I'd have known when he
+was with me there in the passage, I'd have given it him!"
+
+May clung to her, sobbing more than ever.  "I'd--I'd--I'd have wrung his
+neck," cried Keziah furiously; and then she burst out into a
+contemptuous laugh, as she strove to comfort the weeping girl, kissing
+her, wiping her eyes, and holding her to her breast.  "There--there,"
+she said, "let it be now, and I'll talk to them both.  I'll let them see
+that money is not going to do everything.  Tom Brough, indeed!  A
+carneying old rascal, with his smooth tongue and pleasant ways; an old
+deceiver.  I thought better things of him.  But I haven't done with them
+all yet; I don't believe there's a man under the sun good for anything.
+But there goes the bell."
+
+Keziah Bay rose to leave the room, but May clung to her imploringly.
+
+"You will not say a word?" she said pleadingly.
+
+"And why not, pray?"  Then seeing the agitation and fear in the poor
+girl's face she continued, "Then I won't--not to him; for it would be
+like trying to turn a rushing bull;--but I'm not married yet, Peter
+Pash," she muttered as she left the room, "nor she isn't married yet,
+John Richards and Thomas Brough, alderman and big man as you are.  We're
+a poor weak, helpless lot, that we are, and it's my belief that men are
+born with but one idea, and that is that they ought to persecute us
+women."
+
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER TWO.
+
+UNDER TEMPTATION.
+
+There is, and there always was, about Walbrook something of an
+exasperating nature.  I don't care whether you journey upon wheels, or
+by means of your nature-given supports, you shall always find an
+obstruction.  The pathways are as narrow and awkward as the road; and
+while there is always a perky, impudent-looking, heavily-laden truck,
+with its handle either cocked up in defiance, or pointed down
+insultingly, as it obstructs the horse-drawn traffic, there is sure to
+be some one carrying a box of stationery, or a bale of paper-hangings,
+or something or another with hard, harsh corners, to come in contact
+with your front or your back, to injure your hat, or tear your coat with
+a ragged nail, or jostle you off into the gutter.  It don't matter when
+you go down Walbrook, passing by the sombre Mansion House, and seeking
+to be at peace in the quiet shades of Budge-row, or Watling, you shall
+certainly have your feathers ruffled, mentally of course; therefore, it
+was not surprising that Frank Marr, a sturdy young fellow of goodly
+aspect, and some eight-and-twenty years, should look angry and frowning
+as he sought the house of old John Richards.
+
+Not that it was at all surprising for people either going to or coming
+from John Richards' office to look lowering of brow, for interviews with
+that gentleman were none of the most pleasant; they had too much to do
+with interest, and renewing, and bill stamps, and too little to do with
+hard cash--unless it were for repayments--to be gratifying to any one.
+
+But Frank Marr's business, as he thought, did not relate to money; and
+without hanging about the passage in the hope of catching sight of May
+Richards, his old playmate and boyhood's love, he asked to be, and
+was shown at once into the presence of old John
+Richards,--"Grab-all,"--"Grind-'em,"--"Screw-bones,"--"Publican,"--for
+by all these pleasant sobriquets was the money-lender known.
+
+But Frank Marr, merchant, who had just passed through the Bankruptcy
+Court, after five years' hard struggle with unforeseen difficulties, and
+paid ten shillings in the pound, after all the expenses had come out of
+his estate--Frank Marr knew that he had chosen a bad morning for his
+visit.  John Richards' enemy had him by the leg; and swathed and
+bandaged, suffering terribly from gout, but transacting business all the
+same, as many a trembling client knew to his cost, he sat with a curious
+smile upon his face as the young man entered.
+
+"Now for a fierce volley of rage and curses," thought Frank; "he shall
+hear me, though, all the same!"  But to his great surprise the old man
+greeted him most civilly.
+
+"Well, Mr Marr, what's in the wind, eh?  Little accommodation bill, eh?
+Whose names?"
+
+"No, Mr Richards," said Frank, dashing at once into the subject nearest
+his heart, "I have not come about money."
+
+"Indeed!" said the money-lender, grinning with pain, but still speaking
+suavely.  "Pray what is it, then?"
+
+"I have had news this morning, Mr Richards."
+
+"Good, I hope.  An opening, perhaps, for business?"
+
+"No, sir!  Bad news--vile news--cruel news!" cried the young man
+excitedly.
+
+"Sorry, very sorry," said Richards, quietly.  "Pray what is it, then?"
+
+"It is the news of slave-dealing in this city, sir," said Frank.  "Of a
+father making a contract with a rich purchaser for the sale and delivery
+of his only child, as if she were so much merchandise, and I come, old
+man, to tell you to your face that it is cruel, and a scandal to our
+civilisation.  But I beg pardon, Mr Richards; I am hot and excited.  I
+am deeply moved.  You know I love May, that we have loved from
+childhood, and that we are promised to one another.  Don't interrupt me,
+please."
+
+"I'm not going to," said the old man, still quietly, to the other's
+intense astonishment.
+
+"I know what you would say to me if I were to advance my pretensions
+now.  But look here, Mr Richards--I am young yet, May is young.  I have
+been very unfortunate.  I have had to buy experience, in spite of my
+endeavours, in a very dear school; but there is time for me to retrieve
+my position.  I shall get on--I feel assured.  For heaven's sake, then,
+let this cruel affair be set aside: give me a few years to recover
+myself, and all will yet be well, I am sure.  You will break her heart
+if you force her to marry this old man."
+
+"Who told you of this?" said John Richards, still calmly.
+
+"I cannot tell you," said Frank.
+
+"Did May write to you?"
+
+"No," said Frank warmly; "she promised you, sir, that she would not.  I,
+too, promised you that while my affairs were in such a state I would not
+hold communication with her.  We have kept our words, sir, even as we
+intend to keep those upon another point.  I have neither spoken to nor
+heard from May for months."
+
+"Only gone to church to sit and stare at her," said John Richards
+quietly.
+
+"It were hard indeed, sir, if that poor gratification were not afforded
+me," said Frank.  "But now, sir, pray hear me--pray listen to me.  Think
+of the misery you would inflict."
+
+"Stop now, and hear me," said the old money-lender quietly, though his
+lips quivered with pain.  "Your name is Frank; now be frank with me.
+You are at the present time penniless, are you not?"
+
+Frank had hard work to suppress a groan as he bowed his head and thought
+of how, had he been given time, he could have paid every creditor in
+full, and had to spare, instead of his poor assets being more than half
+swallowed up in costs.
+
+"You came here expecting a stormy interview, did you not?"
+
+"I did!" said Frank.
+
+"To be sure! and now I am going to show you that old Grab-all is not so
+black a devil as he is painted."
+
+"Good heavens, sir!" cried Frank joyfully.
+
+"Stop a bit--stop a bit--don't be rash, young man; for perhaps I am not
+going to favour you in the way you may expect, though I do feel disposed
+to help you.  Now look here: I suppose five hundred pounds would be a
+great help to you just now?"
+
+"It would start me in life again, sir," said Frank, sadly; "but I should
+not feel justified in commencing upon borrowed capital at high
+interest."
+
+"Did I say a word about borrowed capital or high interest?"
+
+"No, sir, but--"
+
+"Yes, yes--of course--I know--old Grind-'em will have sixty per cent,
+they say, eh?  But look here, suppose I were to _give_ you five hundred
+pounds to start with!"
+
+"Give! give!  Give me five hundred pounds in hard cash, sir!  Mr
+Richards, why do you play with my feelings?"
+
+"Play, young man?" said the money-lender quietly.  "I am not playing--I
+am in earnest.  I tell you that I will give you, now, this minute, five
+hundred pounds.  There," he said, "give me that cheque book," and he
+pointed to a safe in the wall.  "I'll write you one now this instant;
+and with five hundred pounds you have the key to a fortune.  You may die
+rich as I am, Frank Marr."
+
+"But you have a condition: you wish to buy something with this five
+hundred pounds, Mr Richards," said Frank sternly.
+
+"I only want five minutes of your time," said the old man.
+
+"What to do?"
+
+"To write half a dozen lines at my dictation."
+
+"And to whom?"
+
+"To my daughter."
+
+"Their purport?"
+
+"That you break with her, and set her free, now and for ever."
+
+"If I do," cried Frank fiercely, "may God in heaven bring down--"
+
+"Stop, stop, you rash, mad fool!" cried the old man excitedly.  "Look
+here, Frank Marr: you have not a penny; your mother is almost starving;
+you are living together in a beggarly second-floor room at a
+tallow-chandler's.  You see I know all!  You are suffering the poor old
+lady's murmurs day by day, and she reproaches you for wasting her little
+all in your business.  Look here: be a man, and not a love-sick boy.
+I'll be frank with you.  Mr Brough has proposed, and I approve of him
+for a son-in-law.  He is elderly, but a better-hearted man does not
+exist; and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that May has gone
+to a good home; while you have the chance, and at once, of doing your
+duty by your old mother.  She wants change of air, Frank, and more
+nourishment.  Five hundred pounds clear, Frank, to start with, and on
+your obtaining one name, one respectable name, beside your own, I'll
+advance you five hundred more--at five per cent, Frank, my good fellow--
+at five per cent.--a thing I never before did in my life.  I'll do it at
+once, this very hour, and you can pay the cheque into a banker's, start
+a new account, and a prosperous one.  There, I'll find you a name--your
+uncle, Benjamin Marr; I'll take him; he's a respectable man, and good
+for five hundred pounds.  He'll do that for you.  Now, my good lad, sit
+down and accept my offer."
+
+"Does the devil tempt men still in human form?" gasped Frank, as with
+veins starting he stood panting for breath before the old man.
+
+"Pooh! nonsense! absurd!  Now, how can you talk such silly book-trash,
+Frank Marr?  I thought five years with me as clerk would have made
+another man of you.  You ought never to have left me.  Throw all that
+folly aside, and look the matter in the face like a man.  Now you see
+how calm and how lenient I am.  I might play the tyrant, and say that
+May shall be Mr Brough's wife, and all that sort of thing; but I want
+to spare everybody's feelings.  I don't want any scenes.  Come, now: you
+give her up; you will write to her, eh?"
+
+Frank Marr's voice was hoarse as he spoke; for he had felt the old man's
+words burning as it were into his brain, as scene after scene presented
+itself to his imagination.  There on one side wealth, prosperity,
+comfort for the old and ailing woman whom he had, as he told himself, in
+an evil hour robbed of the comforts of her declining years; a new
+career, and the means to pay off that other ten shillings in the pound,
+so that he could once more hold up his head amongst his fellow-men.  On
+the other side, the sweet, loving face of May Richards, whom he thought
+he loved as man never yet loved.  He told himself that without a
+moment's hesitation he should defy the temptation to gain a hold; but
+for all that he temporised, and John Richards saw it, and stretched out
+his hand to take a pen.
+
+"But you will give me time to recover myself?" said Frank.
+
+"What for?  I don't understand," said Richards.
+
+"For May's sake," pleaded Frank.
+
+"Stop!  Not another word!" cried the old man, now speaking fiercely.  "I
+told her last night that I'd sooner see her dead than your wife.  I tell
+you the same.  But I will not be angry, nor yet harsh--I was put out
+last night.  Now, once more look here: Five hundred pounds in cash--a
+free gift, mind--and five hundred more as an easy business loan,
+renewable year after year during my life, so long as the interest is
+punctually paid.  Nothing can be easier for you.  Think now, to give up
+a boy's milk-and-water love I offer you what to a man in your present
+position is a fortune--a thousand pounds.  And you will take it?"
+
+Frank tried to speak, but he seemed to be choking.
+
+"A thousand pounds, which means future prosperity--which means, as well,
+a score of rich and beautiful women to choose from."
+
+Frank had not heard a door open behind them; he had not seen May, pale
+as ashes, standing motionless listening to every word; he could only
+hear the words of the tempter, and the scratch, scratch of a cruel pen,
+sharp as a needle, dipped apparently in some subtle venom, writing the
+words _one thousand pounds_ on his heart at the same time as in that
+little slip-book, while the poison was coursing through his veins,
+making them to beat and throb.
+
+"One thousand pounds, John Richards; payable to Frank Marr, Esquire, or
+his order," said the old man aloud, but as if speaking to himself; "and
+all for giving up a boy-and-girl love affair.  Pish!  I am getting into
+my dotage.  Look here, Mr Marr," he said, speaking up, "I only want you
+to write the few lines I dictate, and to get that name to the bill, and
+here is the cheque ready.  You'll get on, now, I feel sure," he said, in
+cool, business-like tones, but watching his victim like a cat the while.
+"Bought wit is better than taught wit.  Shall I order you a gloss of
+wine?"
+
+"God help me!" groaned Frank Marr as, making an effort to speak, he tore
+at his throat for an instant, snatched at his hat, and then rushed out
+of the house.
+
+"Expensive, but safe!" said John Richards, with a bitter smile, as he
+pinned the cheque to its duplicate.  "What, you here?"
+
+"Father!" cried May, coming forward and speaking in tones that should
+have pierced even his heart, had it not been stony to the very core; "O,
+father, what have you done?"
+
+"Spent hundreds of my hard-earned pounds to free you from a bankrupt
+lover--a scoundrel whose every thought was on my cash, whose every
+calculation was as to how many years I should be before I died; upon a
+man who had not the heart to stand up for you, who valued you at less
+than five hundred pounds; and yet you reproached me with wishing to sell
+you to a rich husband, when he is a pure, sterling, true-hearted man,
+the only one I know that I could trust--a man you have known from a
+child, and one who has long loved you.  Suppose he is grey-headed, what
+then?  You can trust in his experience and--eh?  What?  Why?  What the
+deuce! talk of the--How are you, Brough? glad to see you.  Got the gout
+awful this morning.  Don't stop; I'm bothered and sick with pain.  Take
+May up-stairs.  My dear, give Mr Brough some lunch."
+
+Then, in an undertone, he spoke to the new-comer:
+
+"I've done it for you, Brough; smoothed the way, and the day's your own.
+Bought him off for five hundred."
+
+"And has he taken it?" said the new-comer, a handsome, florid, elderly
+man.
+
+"As good as taken it.  It's all right, I tell you.  She knows it too.
+Go and comfort her up, Brough; comfort her up."
+
+"Poor child, poor child," muttered Mr Brough, taking a cold stony hand
+in his; and the tears rose to his eyes as he read in the despairing look
+directed at him the truth of the old money-lender's words.  The next
+minute he had led May Richards up-stairs and was seated by her on one of
+the sofas, gazing pityingly at her, for with her face covered by her
+hands the poor girl wept as though her heart would break.
+
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER THREE.
+
+TOM BROUGH.
+
+For a good quarter of an hour no word was spoken; then again taking one
+of the unresisting hands in his, May's new courtier talked long and
+earnestly, telling of how, with no ardent passion, but with the
+chastened love of one who had known a bitter disappointment, he had long
+watched her and waited.
+
+"And now, at last, May, I ask you to be an old man's wife," he said.
+"Yours shall be no life of slavery; but there, you have known me long,
+and for some time past," he said tenderly; "I have not been without hope
+that you loved me in return."
+
+"Mr Brough," sobbed May, throwing herself on her knees at his feet, "I
+do love you, I have loved you ever since I was a child--loved you as one
+should love a dear father.  Have I not often come to you with my girlish
+troubles; but you surely never can mean this--you cannot wish what you
+say?  How can I be your wife, when you know how long--how long--O,
+Frank, Frank, Frank!" she cried, with a wail of despair that seemed to
+thrill through her suitor's heart, and raising her in his arms he kissed
+her tenderly--as lovingly as might a father--and placed her on a sofa at
+his side, drawing her nearer to him in spite of a slight resistance, as
+he tried to whisper a few words in his endeavour to soothe the fierce
+burst of despair that shook the poor girl's frame.
+
+"There, May--my child," he said at last, "try and command yourself,"
+when a thought seemed to strike him, and, though evidently troubled and
+reluctant, he rose to go, tenderly taking leave of the weeping girl.
+
+But before he could reach the door, May had him by the hand.
+
+"Dear Mr Brough," she said beseechingly, "I cannot think that you would
+wish to make me unhappy for life."
+
+"Indeed, no," he said gently, as he held both her hands in his.  "I
+would devote my life to making you happy."
+
+"But you know--for some time--Mr Frank Marr--"
+
+Then the recollection of what she had heard and seen that morning seemed
+to flash across her brain, scathing her as it passed, and with a wild
+look she sought to withdraw her hands, but they were fist held.
+
+"Nay, my child," said Mr Brough tenderly, "I love you too well to wish
+to give you pain.  I would sooner suffer myself than cause a pang to
+your gentle little heart.  Show me that Frank Marr is worthy of you--
+that is, that your father's words which he told me were either untrue,
+or that he had been deceived; tell me, in fact, that by waiving my
+claims I can give you happiness, and I will do so, and at once, even
+though--" His voice trembled as he spoke, and then he added hastily:
+"But you are much agitated; I will go.  Only one question before a
+painful subject is buried for ever--Are you aware that Frank Marr was
+with your father this morning?"
+
+May bowed her head, for the words would not come.
+
+"And you know of the offer made and accepted?  Good God, what a brute I
+am!" he exclaimed, as he had just time to catch May in his arms, and
+save her from falling.
+
+"That's just what you are!" exclaimed a harsh voice, and the visitor
+became aware of the presence of Keziah Bay, who indignantly caught the
+fainting girl from him, and apparently without much effort bore her from
+the room.
+
+It was with a quiet, thoughtful face that Tom Brough, the well-known
+wealthy, charitable sugar-baker, made his way to one of the City
+chop-houses, and sat down in a dark box to think for quite an hour, with
+a newspaper before his face, a newspaper that the impatient waiter
+swooped down at a good half-dozen times, but never asked for on account
+of its being in the hands of so excellent a customer.  But never a word
+read Tom Brough; it was only a blind behind which he wished to think on
+that eventful morning; and he thought till his countenance lightened,
+for it seemed to him that his way ahead was very clear, and in that way
+ahead he saw himself a happy man, cheered by May's smiles, in spite of
+his years, and playing with her children; and at last, his own eyes dewy
+and twinkling, his bright grey hair glistening, and the ruddy hues of
+his open countenance ruddier than ever, he laid aside the paper just at
+a moment when, unable to bear it any longer, the waiter was swooping
+down with the fell intent of striking and bearing off the sheet.  But
+just as he stooped to seize it, the paper was dropped, and he was
+standing face to face with the old and regular attendant at the place.
+
+"Charles," said Mr Brough, "I think I'll take a chop."
+
+"And hysters, sir?" said Charles.
+
+"And oysters," said Tom Brough.
+
+"Port _or_ sherry, sir?" said Charles respectfully.
+
+"Pint of port--yellow seal," said Tom Brough with a sigh of content, and
+then he leaned back and looked up at the dingy soot-darkened skylight,
+till the hissing hot chop was brought, moistening his lips from time to
+time with the glass of tawny astringent wine, seeing, though, no yellow
+glass, no floating blacks, nothing but a bright future; and then he
+ate--ate like a man who enjoyed it, finished his fifth glass of port,
+and walked to his office, brisk, bustling, and happy.
+
+"Gentleman been waiting to see you two hours, sir," said a clerk.
+
+"Bless my soul, how tiresome!" he muttered.  "I wanted to do as little
+as possible to-day; and if news came that the sugar crops were a failure
+to a cane, I believe I'm so selfish that I shouldn't care a--"
+
+But, whatever might have been the proper finish of that sentence, it was
+never uttered; for, bustling forward with an easy elastic step, the
+pleasant countenance suddenly became grave as opening the door of his
+inner office Tom Brough stood face to face with pale, stern-looking
+Frank Marr.
+
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+HOPELESS.
+
+If there is anything obstinate in this life it is Time, whom poets and
+painters are so fond of depicting as a goose-winged, forelocked,
+bald-headed, scraggy old gentleman, exceedingly hard up for clothes, but
+bearing an old, overgrown egg-boiler, and a scythe with a shaft that,
+however well adapted for mowing in his own particular fields, would, for
+want of proper bend and handles, if he were set to cut grass in some
+Essex or Sussex mead, make that old back of his double down in a grander
+curve than ever, and give him such a fit of lumbago as was never
+suffered by any stalk of the human corn he delights to level.  Just want
+the hours, weeks, and months to seem extended, and they shrink like
+fourteen-shilling trouser legs.  Just want the days to glide by so that
+some blissful moment may be swift to arrive, and one might almost swear
+that the ancient hay-maker had been putting his lips to some barrel, and
+was lying down behind a hedge for a long nap.  He had been busy enough
+though at Walbrook, as many a defaulting bill acceptor knew to his cost,
+and small mercy was meted to him by John Richards.  The time, too, with
+May seemed to speed by, as evening after evening it brought her
+December, in the shape of Tom Brough--always pleasant, cheerful, and
+apparently happy, if he gained one sad pleasant smile.
+
+For there was a sadness in May Richards' face that was even at times
+painful; but she seemed to bear her cares patiently.  Only once had she
+sought to talk to her father, to find him even gentle.
+
+"You had better throw it all aside," he said.  "Take my advice, child,
+you will find it better."
+
+"But I must see those papers, father," she said hoarsely.
+
+She had followed the old man into his office, and stood facing him as he
+laid one hand upon his great iron safe.
+
+He did not seem to heed her for a few minutes; but at last he spoke.
+
+"You will not destroy them?" he said.  "No."
+
+The next minute the great iron door opened with a groan, and he had
+placed a cancelled cheque bearing frank Marr's name on the back, and a
+couple of other documents before her.
+
+She stood there and read them through, word for word, twice, and then
+they dropped from her hand, and gazing straight before her she slowly
+left the place.
+
+He had sold her, then.  He had preferred worldly prosperity to her love,
+and she had been deceived in him as hundreds of others were every day
+deceived by those in whom they trusted.  But one document she held to
+still--the one in her desk, the little desk that stood by her bed's
+head, and that letter she had read night after night, and wept over when
+there was none to see, till the blistering tears had all but obliterated
+the words on the paper.  But no tears could wash them out from her
+heart, where they were burned in by anguish--those few cold formal words
+dictated by her father--that he, Frank Marr, feeling it to be his duty,
+then and there released her from all promises, and retained to himself
+the right without prejudice to enter into any new engagement.
+
+She had been asked to indite a few lines herself, setting him free on
+her part, but she could not do it; and now, after the first month of
+agony, she was striving hard to prepare herself for what she felt to be
+her fate.
+
+But all seemed in vain, and one day, almost beside herself with the long
+strain, Keziah found her pacing the room and wringing her thin hands.
+
+"You sha'n't marry him, and that's an end of it!" cried Keziah fiercely.
+"I'll go over and see him to-night and talk to him; and if I can't win
+him round my name isn't Bay.  I'll marry him myself if it can't be done
+any other how, that I will.  Cheer up, then, my darling.  Don't cry,
+please, it almost breaks my heart to see you.  He's a good old fellow,
+that he is; and I'm sure when he comes to know how you dread it all
+he'll give it up.  If I only had that Mr Frank--What?  Don't, my little
+one?  Then I won't; only it does seems so hard.  Married on the shortest
+day, indeed!  I daresay he'd like to be.  There's no day so short nor so
+long ever been made that shall see you Tom Brough's wife, so I tell him.
+Now, only promise me that you'll hold up."
+
+"Don't talk to me, please.  I shall be better soon," sobbed May; and
+then after an interval of weeping, "'Ziah, I know you love me: when I'm
+dead, will you think gently of me, and try to forgive all my little
+pettish ways?"
+
+"When you're what?" cried Keziah.
+
+"When I'm dead; for I feel that it can't be long first.  I used to smile
+about broken hearts and sorrow of that kind, but, except when I'm asleep
+and some bright dream comes, all seems here so black and gloomy that I
+could almost feel glad to sleep always--always, never to wake again."
+
+"O, O, O!" cried Keziah, bursting into a wail of misery, but only to
+stop short and dash away a tear right and left with the opposite corners
+of her apron.  "There, I won't have it, and if you talk to me again like
+that, I'll--I'll--I'll go to Mr Brough at once.  No, my child, I'm not
+going to sit still and see you murdered before my very eyes if I know
+it.  But though I don't want to be cruel I must tell you that your poor
+affections really were misplaced; for that Frank Marr is as well off now
+and as happy as can be.  He lodges, you know, at Pash's, and they've got
+all the best furnished rooms that he got ready for me; not that I was
+going to leave you, my pet; and he's making money, and taking his mother
+out of town, and all sorts, I can tell you."
+
+It did not escape Keziah's eye how every word was eagerly drunk in, and
+feeling at last that she was but feeding and fanning a flame that
+scorched and seared the young life before her, she forbore, and soon
+after left the room.
+
+"But if I don't see Mr Tom Brough, and put a stop to this marriage, and
+his preparations, and new house, and furnishing," she cried, "my name
+isn't Keziah Bay?"
+
+And Keziah kept her word.
+
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+MR PASH LOOKS GREEN.
+
+Keziah Bay had made up her mind to go to Mr Tom Brough, and, attended
+by Peter Pash as her faithful squire, she started, loading him to begin
+with in case of rain, for on one arm Peter carried a large scarlet
+shawl, and under the other a vast blue-faded gingham umbrella, with a
+great staghorn beak and a grand ornamental brass ferule.
+
+But Peter Pash looked proud at the confidence placed in him, and,
+following rather than walking by the side of his lady, he accompanied
+her to Finsbury-square, in one corner of which place lived Tom Brough.
+
+All the same, though, Peter Pash was not comfortable, for he did not
+know the object of Keziah's mission.  What was she going to Mr Brough's
+for?  It was not because she was sent--she had declared that before
+starting, and when pressed for her reason she said that she was "going
+because she was going," and Peter did not feel satisfied.  In fact,
+before they were half-way to Finsbury, Peter was fiercely jealous, and
+telling himself that he was being made a fool of.
+
+"You'd better let me carry that umbrella if you are going to bring it
+down thump at every step like that," said Keziah.
+
+"No, thank you, I can manage it," said Peter, as, tucking it once more
+beneath his arm, he trotted on by her side, trying to make up his mind
+how he should find out the truth of his suspicions.
+
+"It only wants a little looking into," said Peter to himself, "and then
+you can find out anything.  I can see it all now.  And do they think
+they are going to deceive me?  No, I've boiled down and purified too
+much not to be able to separate the wrong from the right.  She's going
+to ask him if he means to marry her instead of Miss Richards, and if he
+don't, she'll fall back on me.  But she won't, for I don't mean to be
+fallen on, and so I tell her."
+
+"Here we are," said Keziah, stopping short in front of Mr Brough's
+house.
+
+"Yes, here we are," said Peter, with what he meant for a searching look.
+
+"Now, look here, Peter," said Keziah, "I'm going to see Mr Brough, and
+you'll wait outside till I come back."
+
+"But what are you going for?" said Peter.
+
+There was no reply save what was conveyed in a hitch of Keziah's shawl,
+and then, her summons being responded to, she entered, leaving Peter
+perspiring on the door-step, brandishing the great umbrella and peering
+at the door with eyes that threatened to pierce the wood--varnish,
+paint, and all.
+
+Meanwhile, Keziah was ushered into the room where Tom Brough was seated,
+rosy and hearty, over his decanter and glass.
+
+"Well, Keziah," he said, "and how are all at home?  Take a chair."
+
+The visitor did not condescend to reply until the door was shut, when,
+folding her arms, she stood looking at him with a fierce uncompromising
+aspect.
+
+"I've come about that poor girl," she said at last.
+
+"About what poor girl?" said Tom Brough.
+
+"That poor girl whose heart's being broken up into tiny bits by you and
+him--her father," cried Keziah, fiercely, "and I've come to know if you
+ain't ashamed of yourself.  There, hold your tongue, and listen to what
+I've got to say; I haven't said anything to him at home, because it's
+like talking to stone and marbles.  But I've come to talk to you."
+
+"Talk away, then," said Tom Brough, pleasantly.
+
+"I'm going to," said Keziah, angrily, "and don't you think, Mr Brough,
+that you're going to get rid of me like that, because you are not, so
+now then.  This marriage can't go on."
+
+"Why not?" said Tom Brough, offering a glass of wine, which was refused.
+
+"Because I'm not going to see my darling that I've nursed and tended
+ever since she was a baby driven into her grave to please you.  There,
+keep off--gracious, if the man isn't mad!"
+
+Keziah half shrieked the last words, for, leaping from his seat, Tom
+Brough made a rush at her, chased her round the table with an activity
+hardly to have been expected from one of his years, followed her out on
+to the landing as she hastily beat a retreat, down the stairs, along the
+passage, and caught her on the door-mat, where, after a sharp scuffle,
+he succeeded in imprinting a couple of sounding kisses upon her cheek
+before she got the door open, and, panting and tumbled, rushed out
+nearly to the oversetting of Peter Pash, who, with his eye to the
+keyhole, had seen the chase in part, heard the scuffle in full, and now
+stood gazing grandly at the panting object of his affections.
+
+"Keziah!" he exclaimed at length, "I thought better of you."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" exclaimed the irate dame.
+
+"I thought you had been a woman as could be trusted," he said, sadly.
+
+"Trusted, indeed!" cried Keziah.  "Why, he's a madman, that's what he
+is.  He's off his head because of this wedding: see if he ain't."
+
+"Keziah!" said Peter, loftily, "I've done with you."
+
+"Give me that umbrella," cried Keziah, snatching the great gingham from
+his hand.  "Now just you speak to me again like that, young man, and
+I'll talk to you."
+
+"I'll see you home.  I won't be mean," said Peter.  "But you've broken a
+true and trusting heart, Keziah."
+
+"Hold your tongue, do," she cried; "just as if I hadn't enough to bother
+me without your silly clat.  I did think he'd be open to reason," she
+added half aloud.
+
+Peter did not answer, but walked by Keziah's side till they turned down
+by the Mansion House and entered Walbrook, when with a start the latter
+caught Peter by the arm and pointed down the deserted way to where a
+light figure was seen to hurriedly leave John Richards' door, and then
+to flit beneath lamp after lamp in the direction of Cannon-street.
+
+"Where's she going?" exclaimed Keziah, hoarsely.  "What is she out for
+to-night?"
+
+"Who is it?" said Peter, though it was for the sake of speaking, for he
+knew.
+
+"She's mad, too, and we're all mad, I believe," cried Keziah.  "O,
+Peter, if you love me as you say, hold by me now, for there's something
+going wrong; don't lose sight of her for an instant, if you value me.
+Make haste, man, and come on."
+
+"That's cool!" said Peter, "and after me seeing some one else kissing
+and hugging you."
+
+"Quick, quick!" cried Keziah, excitedly catching Peter's hand in hers;
+and then together they passed down Walbrook and across the street at the
+bottom, both too fat and heavy to keep the light figure in sight without
+great exertion.
+
+Down one of the hilly lanes and into Thames-street they panted, with the
+light drapery now lost sight of, now seen again at some corner, and then
+to disappear down one of the dark fog-dimmed openings, up which came the
+faint odour of the river and the low lapping noise of its waters against
+the slimy steps below.
+
+"Quick, quick!" said Keziah hoarsely, "or we shall be too late."
+
+Her earnest manner more than her words seemed to impress Peter Pash, and
+hurrying along he was the first to catch sight of the light figure they
+chased now standing motionless on the edge of a wharf, while the wind
+came mournfully sighing off the river, in whose inky breast, all blurred
+and half-washed-out, shone the light of star and Keziah's breath seemed
+drawn in deep groans, as for a few minutes she stood, as it were,
+paralysed.  Then recovering herself, and motioning Peter back, she
+advanced quickly, and just as the light figure gave a start and seemed
+about to step forward, she threw her arms round it and held it tightly,
+sobbing hysterically the while.
+
+But only for a few seconds.
+
+"Here, Peter, quick," she cried, "that shawl.  And were you looking for
+me, my pet?  We've been walking.  But never mind, we've found you now,
+and I won't leave you again.  Don't talk--don't say anything, only come
+home quickly!"
+
+Without a word, without resistance, May Richards suffered herself to be
+led homeward, merely gazing from time to time at her old servant in a
+half-dazed way as if she could not understand the meaning of it all, nor
+yet why she was being led with Keziah's arm so tightly holding hers.
+
+And so they walked back to find the door in Walbrook ajar, with Tom
+Brough standing in the entry.
+
+"Go back now, Peter," whispered Keziah, "and not a word of this to a
+soul."
+
+"But what's he here for?" said Peter, in the same tone.
+
+"You miserable jealous pate," whispered the old servant fiercely, "if
+you don't be off--"
+
+She said no more, for Peter _was_ off, and then she turned to Mr
+Brough.
+
+"You may well look," she whispered to him, as he said a few unnoticed
+words to May.  "All your doing--all your doing.  Another minute, and the
+poor lamb would have been sleeping in the river."
+
+Tom Brough started, and then caught May in his arms, and bore her
+up-stairs, where for quite an hour she sat in a dazed, heedless way that
+troubled Keziah more than would a passionate outburst.
+
+"If she'd only cry," she whispered at last to Mr Brough, "But you won't
+press for it now, Mr Brough; you won't, sir, I'm sure.  People say
+you're a good man, and that you're kind and charitable.  Look at the
+poor thing; her heart's broke--it is indeed."
+
+"I'm going now," said Mr Brough in answer, and then when Keziah
+accompanied him down to the door, "Do not leave her for an instant, if
+you love the poor child; and, look here, Keziah, the wedding must take
+place, and it is for her good--_mark me_, for her good.  I love her too
+well to make her unhappy, and if you do your duty you will help me all
+you can."
+
+Keziah closed the door without a word, and a minute after she was
+kneeling beside and crying over the heartbroken girl.
+
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER SIX.
+
+HARD-HEARTED.
+
+Time glided on.
+
+"You've come again, then?" said Keziah Bay.
+
+"Yes, I've come again," said Mr Peter Pash.  "Trade's very brisk,
+Keziah."
+
+"Is it?" said that lady, in the most indifferent of tones.
+
+"Yes, things are looking up well," said Mr Pash, "and my lodger has
+dropped dips and taken to composites.  You know what that means, of
+course."
+
+"Not I," said Keziah indifferently.  "I don't trouble my head about such
+things."
+
+"You're always a-snubbing me, Keziah," said the little man dolefully.
+"It's no good for me to try and please you."
+
+"Not a bit," said Keziah with a smile.  "You ought to know better than
+to come wherrittin' me when there's so much trouble in the house."
+
+"But it ain't our trouble," said Peter Pash.  "Why, if I was to make
+myself unhappy about other folks' candles, where should I be?  Now, I
+say, Keziah dear, when's it to be?"
+
+"Once for all, I tell you," said Keziah, "that until I see poor Miss May
+happily settled, I won't bother about that nonsense; so you may hold
+your tongue, for I can see what you mean."
+
+Peter Pash gave a great groan of despair, but the next minute he was
+patiently submitting to a severe cross-examination concerning the habits
+and customs of his lodger Frank Marr.
+
+"He's no good, Peter," said Keziah at last, "and the sooner you get rid
+of him the better."
+
+"But he pays his rent very regular," said Peter, "and that's a
+consideration, you know.  And he's a good son, and pays no end of
+attention to his mother.  And I say, Keziah, dear, I've seen Mr Brough,
+and I ain't a bit jealous now."
+
+Keziah snorted.
+
+"He's been to my place twice to see Mr Marr, and they're the best of
+friends, and he tells me it was only his fun, and Mr Marr don't seem to
+mind a bit.  And I say, Keziah dear, now that Miss May is really going
+to get married and settled, sha'n't we make it right now?"
+
+"Now I tell you what it is, young man," said Keziah fiercely, "I hate
+the very name of marrying, and if you say another word to me about it
+I'll never have you at all.  When I want to be married I'll ask you, and
+not before, so now be off."
+
+"But will you want to some day?" said Peter pitifully.
+
+"Perhaps I shall, and perhaps I sha'n't; I'm seeing enough of it to
+satisfy me, so I tell you."
+
+Peter groaned.
+
+"Now don't make that noise here," cried Keziah snappishly.  "If you
+can't behave yourself, you'd better go."
+
+"I won't do so any more, dear," said Peter softly.  "How's poor dear
+Miss May?"
+
+"O, don't ask me--poor lamb!" cried Keziah.
+
+"It is to be, isn't it?" said Peter.
+
+"To be!  Yes.  They've talked her into it, now that your fine Mr Marr
+has proved himself such a good-for-nothing.  It's to be, sure enough,
+and I wish them all joy of what they've done.  They're killing her
+between them, and then they'll be happy.  Get married!  There, don't
+drive me wild, Peter Pash, but be off out of my sight, for I hate the
+very sound of the word, and don't you come here any more till I ask
+you."
+
+Peter Pash groaned; and then rising he departed in a very disconsolate
+state of mind, for he considered himself to be far more worthy of pity
+than May Richards.
+
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+MAY'S MARRIAGE.
+
+The wedding day, and for once in a way a crisp, bright, hearty, frosty
+time--cold but inspiriting; and at ten o'clock, pale and trembling, but
+nerved for her trial, May Richards stood suffering Keziah to give the
+finishing touches to her dress before starting for the church.  There
+was to be no form; May had stipulated for that.  The wedding was to be
+at an old City church hard by, and in place of meeting her there Tom
+Brough had arrived, and was in the dining-room talking to old Richards
+bound to an easy-chair with gout, and too ill to think of going to the
+church.
+
+As May entered at last, led in by Keziah, defiant and snorting, Tom
+Brough, active as a young man, hurried to meet the trembling girl,
+caught her in his arms, and kissed her fondly, heedless of the sigh she
+gave.
+
+"Don't look like that, my darling," he whispered.  "I'm going to make
+you happy as the day is long."
+
+May's only reply was a look so full of misery and despair, that Keziah
+put her apron to her eyes and ran out of the room.
+
+For a moment there was a shade as of uneasiness crossed old Richards'
+face--it might have been a twinge of gout--but it passed on the instant.
+
+"Don't look like that, May!" he exclaimed angrily.  "If you don't know
+what is for your good you must be taught.  Now, Brough, time's going--
+get it over, man.  She'll be happier as soon as you have her away."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Tom Brough tenderly.  "Come May, my child, have you not
+one look for me?"
+
+May placed her hands in his, and looked up in his face with the faintest
+dawning of a smile upon her lip, and this time she did not shrink back
+when he kissed her forehead, but hung upon his arm as if resigned to her
+fate; the sound of wheels was heard in the narrow street; the friends
+ready to accompany them were summoned from the room below--two old
+friends of Mr Brough's, for old Richards had, as he often boasted, no
+friends; May was led out, the door was heard to close, wheels rattled
+away, and then, for a wonder, there fell a dead silence upon Walbrook,
+one which seemed to affect old Richards, even as he sat there looking
+haggard and drawn of feature, thinking of the past, and of the day he
+wed his own wife long before gold had become his care--almost his god.
+For the first time remorse had seized upon him, and it wanted not the
+words of Keziah Bay, who now entered the room, for reproach to be heaped
+upon his head.
+
+But Keziah's words were not fierce now, only the words of sorrow; and at
+last she sank down sobbing before him, and said:
+
+"O, Master Richards--Master Richards--what have you done?"
+
+He did not turn round fiercely to bid her begone, but shrank from her,
+farther and farther, into his great roomy chair, and at that moment,
+could he have done so, he would have arrested the farther progress of
+the ceremony, for remorse was beating strongly at his heart.
+
+But the time was passed now, and with him action was impossible.  He sat
+there motionless, listening to the sobs of his old servant till nearly
+an hour had passed, when suddenly Keziah rose, wiping her eyes, and
+saying,--
+
+"I hadn't the heart to go and see it, and now it is too late!"
+
+"Yes, yes," said old Richards softly; "it is now too late!"
+
+The next moment Keziah was hurrying from the room, for there was the
+sound of wheels and a heavy knocking at the door, which she opened to
+admit old Tom Brough, red and excited, and his first act upon the door
+being closed was to catch Keziah round the waist, to hug her and give
+her a sounding kiss before waltzing her down the passage, she struggling
+the while till she got free, and stood panting, trembling, and boiling
+over with ire.
+
+"It's all right, 'Ziah!" he exclaimed, "the knot's tied."
+
+"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, that you ought," panted Keziah,
+darting away to avoid another embrace.  "And pray where's Miss May?"
+
+Tom Brough did not answer, he only hurried into the drawing-room, where
+old Richards sat upright, holding on by the arms of his chair.
+
+"Where's May?" he gasped, looking ashy pale; "why have you not brought
+her back?"
+
+"Because she was not mine to bring," said Tom Brough coolly.  "Flunk
+Marr waylaid me, and he's carried her off and married her."
+
+"Brough! this is a plot, and you are in it," exclaimed old Richards
+fiercely, as he saw the serio-comic smile upon his friend's countenance.
+
+"Well, yes, I had a little to do with it," Brough said quietly.
+
+"And is dear Miss May really married to Mr Frank?" cried Keziah.
+
+"Silence, woman," roared old Richards.  "Brough, I'll never forgive you.
+You've planned all this with that beggar, and he's swindled me out of a
+thousand pounds, and robbed me of my child!  A rascally, lying beggar."
+
+"Gently, gently, my dear Richards," said Tom Brough, coolly.  "I don't
+think that now I have taken him into partnership he is quite the beggar
+you imagine.  What with that and your thousand, and what we--_we_,
+friend Richards--will leave them when we die, I don't think there will
+be many men hold up their heads much higher in the City than Frank Marr.
+On the whole, I think your child has done well."
+
+"Brough, Brough," exclaimed old Richards excitedly, "what does this all
+mean?  In God's name tell me, or I shall have a fit."
+
+"In God's name," said Tom Brough, slowly and reverently, "it means that
+I, blessed as I have been with wealth, could not commit the grievous sin
+you wished against that sweet child I loved her too well to condemn her
+to such a fate, and Frank Marr found me more open to appeal than he did
+his father-in-law.  I told him to come again to your office when he had
+been to me, and at my wish he accepted all your terms, though not
+without a deal of forcing on my part.  He's a fine, noble-hearted young
+fellow, Richards, and listening to me I tried to make matters work for
+the good of us all."
+
+He looked at old Richards as he spoke, but the old man was scowling at
+the wall.
+
+"Would you have murdered your child, Richards?" said Tom Brough.  "I
+tell you, man, that had your will been law the poor girl would not have
+lived a year, while now, with the husband she loves, she is waiting to
+ask your forgiveness for that for which I am solely to blame."
+
+"Keziah," said Mr Brough softly, after a pause, and he whispered a few
+words in her ear--words whose effect was to send her from the room, but
+only to return in ten minutes, followed by Frank Marr, leading in his
+trembling wife.
+
+
+
+STORY THREE, CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+CAN'T IT BE TO-MORROW?
+
+There will doubtless be those ready to say that such things do not
+happen in real life--that rich men do not take poor men into
+partnership, nor yet give up handsome young wives on their wedding morn;
+but in spite of all that cynics may declare, there are men with hearts
+so large still to be found in this business-like world of ours--men who
+are ready to do any good to benefit another.  And there are times when
+people do perform very eccentric acts, in proof of which must be related
+what took place in Walbrook that same evening, at a time when there was
+a merry party in the drawing-room, and old Richards' face wore an
+expression that it had not worn for years.  There came a ring at the
+door bell--a sneaking under-handed sort of ring; and on Keziah opening
+the door--behold Peter Pash!
+
+"May I come in?" he said, modestly.
+
+"Come in? yes, man," cried Keziah, catching him by the coat, and giving
+him a snatch so that he was pulled into the passage, and the door banged
+behind him.
+
+The next moment, to Peter's utter astonishment--for he was ignorant of
+the morning's changes--Keziah's arms were round his neck.
+
+"Peter dear, can't it be to-morrow?"
+
+"What! will you have me, then?" cried the little man in ecstasies, and
+the next moment there was the sound of such a kiss heard in that passage
+that it rolled along, vibrating from floorcloth to ceiling, and actually
+echoed; not that one would have recorded the fact, only this was such a
+tremendously big kiss, and one that echoes is really worthy of mention.
+
+_It_ could not "be to-morrow," but it happened very soon after, and Tom
+Brough gave away the bride, while, talk about illuminations, Peter
+Pash's house was a sight that drew together twelve small boys and an old
+woman, who stayed till the last dip went out and smelt unpleasant in the
+best room window; but it is not every man that can have an illumination
+at his own expense and of his own manufacture.
+
+The gout proved too much for old Richards before another twelvemonths
+passed; but every one said that during the last year of his life he was
+another man.
+
+The End.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dutch the Diver, by George Manville Fenn
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