terling streak
in the bad old fellow.

Out of the next pouch there glittered upon the table several diamonds
and a small palm full of rubies, with their rich color and radiance.
"The boys will have enough to start a jewelry store," commented the
Captain. "But I am not surprised at this haul. I know something about
the hidden treasures myself, and they do say Mexico is the the place for
them."

Out of another belt he got some ingots of gold and a girdle that caused
the Captain to open his eyes. At first he did not know what to make of
it. When he held it up he saw that it was formed of golden disks linked
with strings of rubies and sapphires. In the third belt was a necklace
that might have been worn by some Princess of the Incas. It was oddly,
almost weirdly beautiful.

The fourth belt that he picked up chanced to belong to Jim.

"This seems lighter than the others," remarked the Captain. "Three of
the pouches are empty." His face got black with rage. For instantly his
mind leaped to the suspicion that one of his men had rifled it. If such
had been the case, the guilty party would have got short shift at the
end of a rope from the yard arm.

But the second examination showed that the cut was an old one.

"So!" he cried, "one of the boys has cached part of his share. I bet it
was that long-legged, black-haired guy. That fellow would give the best
of us trouble. I wish I had him to train. Maybe, I can make something of
the Injun boy," meaning Juarez.

As to the belts, the shrewd old fellow, to make sure, measured them to
see where the worn holes of the leather came, and the partially empty
belt had been worn two inches longer than any of the others.

"It was the big fellow's," said the Captain.

Then he went upon deck and called the crew forward.

"Now, lads, choose your man to get your share of the goods," he said.

"It's Jack Cales, sir," they said, knowing that they would be called
upon to select a man to take their share.

"All right! Come, lad," said the Captain, and led the way to his cabin.
When Jack Cales saw the treasures on the table, he opened his eyes and
mouth in astonishment.

"Why, Sir," he exclaimed, "we haven't seen anything like this since the
day two years ago when--" he stopped suddenly, seeing from a look in the
Captain's eyes that no reminiscences were desired.

"This is your share, lad," said the Captain, gruffly.

"Thank you, sir," responded Cales, as he swept the small pile of go