avern diligently
and systematically digging for gold, under the direction and supervision
of Cunningham; and I may as well mention here that the results of the
two days' labours demonstrated that we had been lucky enough to stumble
upon what is probably the most fabulously rich "pocket" of gold nuggets
that has ever been discovered by man.

The gale broke some time during the night of the second day, and when we
awoke and turned out on the following morning the weather had reverted
to its normal delightful conditions, and only a heavy south-westerly sea
remained as evidence of what had been. I think I have already mentioned
that it was our habit to proceed to and fro between North and South-west
Bays in the catamaran, in preference to tramping two miles overland in
the tropical heat; but on this particular day we walked, being of
opinion that it was hardly desirable to expose the catamaran to the
strain of a trip round the end of the island in so steep and heavy a
sea. Knocking-off work at the usual time, we climbed the cliffs and
proceeded to walk back to North Bay across the plateau, the boatswain,
carpenter, and sailmaker leading the way, while Cunningham and I
followed, about a hundred yards behind, a distance which was more than
sufficient to allow the trio to get out of sight ahead of us. And as
Cunningham and I sauntered along very slowly we had no expectation of
seeing anything more of Murdock and his companions until our arrival at
the cave; consequently we were a little surprised, upon our emerging
from the jungle, to find the three seamen standing in the open, upon the
highest point of the plateau, all gazing intently to seaward.

"What is it, Murdock?" I shouted, as we hastened our steps to join
them. "Anything in sight?"

"Why, yes, Mr Temple," answered the boatswain, facing round toward us.
"There's something floatin', about a couple o' mile off there, that
looks like a boat with people in her."

"A boat!" I ejaculated. "Where away? Show me!"

"Come here, sir, and stand where I am," replied Murdock. Then, as I
took up a position on the spot indicated, the man placed himself behind
me, and proceeded to point over my shoulder.

"See that there low bush, yonder, Mr Temple, just in line with my
finger?" he demanded. "Very well, then. Just run your eye along about
a p'int, or maybe a little more, to the west'ard, and--there! d'ye see
her, sir? Ah, now she's vanished again in the trough. But y