l thankfully
accept their services to this extent. Let them collect the gold and
convey it to the edge of the gulf or chasm which you so providentially
escaped tumbling into to-day. Then we men must undertake the task of
conveying it to the other side and stacking it up in a position from
which we can easily remove it with the aid of a boat. If we succeed in
securing the schooner, we shall simply have to call off the mouth of the
cave and remove our booty in that way. Can anyone suggest anything
better?"

No one could; it was therefore decided that the skipper's proposal
should be adopted, especially as it left them free to alter their plans
at any time, should circumstances seem to require it. This decision
arrived at, the party retired for the night, most of them, it must be
confessed, to dream of the wonderful cave and the equally wonderful
wealth of which they had been talking.

The next day was spent by all hands, Dale included, at the shipyard.
This individual had, ever since poor Bob's accident, manifested a
growing dissatisfaction with himself, and an increasing amount of shame
at the selfishness which caused him to live a life of idleness and
comparative ease, while every one of his companions, the ladies
included, were doing all they could to aid in maturing the great plan of
escape; and now at last shame at his unmanly conduct fairly overcame
him, and on this particular morning he startled everybody by putting in
an appearance at the same time as the rest of the male portion of the
party, saying in explanation that henceforward he too should go daily to
work, as he was quite sure he could be of assistance. He was, of
course, assured that he undoubtedly _could_ be of very great use if he
chose; and there the matter ended. But a rather unpleasant feeling was
excited when Ralli, who was always promptly down at the beach to watch
the departure of the working party, noticed and commented upon Dale's
presence.

"Aha! my fine fellow," he remarked sneeringly, "so you have made up your
mind to go to work at last, have you? That is very well, sare. You
must surely have dream last night that I had my eye on you. You think,
perhaps, I have not take notice; but _I have_; and if you had not gone
to work to-day, I should have said to you, `Look here, my good man,
suppose you not work you not eat;' and I should have stopped your
'lowance. But you are going to work; so now that is all right."

It certainly ser