Part 62 (1/2)

They ran the boats safely aground just above where the river made its plunge, and then came a long and toilsome task.

But the boats were safely unladen--for the men worked with a will--run ash.o.r.e, and up and down the two slopes, to be re-launched and all the stores and treasure replaced by dark one night.

The next morning at daybreak a start was made for the brig, which was found a mile lower down, where it had been swept by the flood, but was safely re-anch.o.r.ed.

In due time the men were cheering loudly again, for the treasure was safe on board.

”Now,” said Briscoe, ”one day's rest, and then we'll start with three boats, skipper, and stouter tackle so as to handle some of those big images better. We ought to take three or four planks.”

”Then you want to get some more?” said the captain, smiling.

”More?” said Briscoe, staring; ”why, man, it would be a sin to leave that treasure wasting there. What do you say, gentlemen?”

”Well,” said Sir Humphrey, ”I can't help feeling as you do, Briscoe.

What do you say, Brace?”

”I don't want any more gold,” was the reply; ”but I should like to get those curiosities to England. It would be such a shame to leave them up there.”

”And so say we,” said Dellow and Lynton eagerly.

”But what about the men?” said Brace; ”would they go?”

”Would a dozen ducks swim, sir?” said the captain scornfully. ”Ask 'em.”

The men were asked, and their answer was a tremendous cheer.

”Of course, sir,” one of them cried. ”We must clear out the lot.”

”Very well,” said the captain. ”I shall stay on board here with two men as guards, and you shall start with three boats to-morrow morning.”

There was another tremendous cheer at this, and then Dellow threw a wet blanket over all.

”I dunno,” he said slowly: ”I don't think it will be to-morrow, for there's some weather about. Look at that lightning playing away to the west'ard.”

The first mate was right, for that night there was a frightful storm to announce the breaking-up of the season.

The next day the river was in flood, and in spite of all the captain's skill the brig was torn from her moorings and borne rapidly down stream.

The days pa.s.sed, and the weather grew worse and worse. Efforts were made to moor or anchor over and over again, but the river rapidly became like one vast lake with the water extending for miles on either side.