ks upon
it; and my heart beat with pride and pleasure at our success.

"How do you feel?" cried my father. "Don't go down more than you can
bear."

"I feel like this, sir," cried Bigley seizing hold of the two handles of
the basket and going down once more, to come up again almost as quickly,
and another box was hauled up.

Just then there was a cheer from the shore, and on looking in that
direction there was the doctor now beside Bob Chowne, and they evidently
realised what was taking place, for both shouted and waved their hats.

They would have come off to us, but there was no boat to be had nearer
than Ripplemouth; so they watched us while Bigley went down again and
again till ten boxes had been recovered, when my father refused to let
him go down any more, in spite of his prayers and declarations that he
was all right and could go down as often as we liked.

My father was determined, though, and made him dress himself and help
row ashore with us so as to carry the chests up to the cottage; but as
soon as they were landed my father sent up to the mine and all the men
were fetched to bear the silver up, and it was placed in safety in the
restored cellar.

The spot had of course been left buoyed, and a couple of men were
awarded the task of watching the place till after dinner, when towards
four o'clock we all went down again, Bigley declaring himself ready to
dive.

By this time I had come to the conclusion that I was behaving in a very
cowardly way in letting him do all the work, and without saying a word I
determined to quietly undress ready, and take the next turn.

The doctor and Bob Chowne, who had said just what I anticipated, joined
us this time, while everyone occupied in the Gap came down to see the
astounding fact that the Frenchmen had not got the silver after all.

We rowed out and made fast as before, and Bigley went down; but instead
of paying any attention to his dive I let the others watch him, got
ready, and then, as a fresh box was recovered, I leaped overboard,
crying, "My turn now!" and swam to the basket.

"You, Sep?" said my father in a hesitating tone.

"Yes, father," I shouted. "Let go."

The men obeyed, and almost before I could realise it, I felt a snatch at
my arms, and was dragged rapidly down.

In spite of my preparation I was so surprised that I almost lost my
presence of mind; but, as luck had it, the basket settled down close to
a box, and somehow or another I got one