ments in the boats kept up a series of ripples
which blurred the surface.

My heart beat fast, for Bigley seemed to be down a long time, though it
was only a few seconds before he rose rapidly to the surface and swam to
the boat.

"Well, my lad," cried my father excitedly, "there is nothing, then?"

"I couldn't manage it the first time," panted Bigley. "I got hold of a
box, but it was awkward work getting it into the bag. I could not hold
it and get the chest in too. Haul up, please."

"But are you sure you can do it?" said my father.

"I am certain, sir," replied Bigley; and the men began to haul up the
bag.

As Bigley was about to give the word to let go once more there came a
loud "Ahoy!" from the shore; and turning my head I saw that Bob Chowne
had come over and was asking to be fetched.

"It is impossible," said my father--"he must wait;" and I knew as well
as if I were listening to him that Bob was saying something about our
always having all the fun.

"Let go," cried Bigley; and away he went again, the weight drawing him
down so rapidly that I felt a little envious, and as if I should like to
make one of the trips.

He was up again more quickly this time.

"Haul up," he cried; "it's of no use. I can't get the box into the bag.
Here, I see!" he cried, "make fast that maund to the rope and put the
lead in there."

He pointed, as he held on by the boat's edge, to a fish-basket in the
stern of the boat; and as soon as the bag had been hauled aboard the
rope was set free and fastened, scale-fashion, to the basket.

Bigley's countenance brightened at this, and seizing it directly he gave
the word, declaring that he was all right; and away he went once more,
and came up again so quickly that we felt there was something wrong.

"What's the matter?" I cried.

"Haul up and see," was his reply; and as the men hauled, everyone held
his breath till the basket came up slowly and heavily to the surface.

"It's a box or a stone," I cried; and then I gave a shout, in which all
the men joined, for there was a square box in the basket and my father
lifted it out.

"He's right! He's right!" cried my father excitedly. "Bigley, my dear
lad, I could not believe that it was true!"

"Over with the basket, sir," cried Bigley; "quick!" and he went down
again and once more rose.

"All ready!" he cried; and so it was, for another box was hauled in--
another unmistakable case of our silver, for there were the mar