arch, laughed. "We can scarcely
expect such good luck as that," he answered.

"We'll try, sir," said Jerry, prising open the top with one of the
daggers which he had retained. "Hurrah! I was right, sir," he sang
out; "golden pieces every one of them, four or five hundred, at least!"

"No doubt about it," observed Desmond, examining the box; "it is not
ours, however, after all. We must hand it over to the commander as part
of the cargo found in the prize, as well as every other article of
value; though we shall get our share in due time."

"To be sure, sir, to be sure," answered Jerry, with a sigh. "At first I
thought you and Mr Gordon, and the rest of us, might pocket it; but
it's all right--we must share and share alike."

Desmond ordered the box to be stowed away in the forepart of the cabin,
which he and Archie intended to occupy. The Arab captain cast a longing
glance at his treasure as it was carried away, possibly regarding the
present possessors with no friendly feeling. The discovery induced the
seamen to make a further search, and jewellery, pieces of cloth and
silk, and numerous rich Arab garments were brought to light, sufficient
altogether to fill a considerable portion of the cabin.

"Now let's look after the slaves below," said Archie; "the poor fellows
must have been in a fearful quandary while the fighting was going
forward."

Whatever feeling of pity the condition of the wounded Arabs might have
excited in the breasts of the English was removed when they came to
examine the hold. Indeed, the horrible state of the unhappy beings
surpasses all description. Upwards of two hundred human beings were
found stowed away in the hold of the craft, which could not have
measured more than a hundred tons. On a bamboo deck, scarcely raised
high enough above the keel to be free of the abominably-smelling
bilge-water which occupied her lowest depths, lay some eighty or ninety
men, doubled up, and packed so closely together that it was utterly
impossible for them to stretch their legs; while there was not room
enough for them to raise their heads without touching the deck above.
They were stowed away, indeed, literally, as Jerry Bird observed, "like
herrings in a cask." Above them were an equal number of women huddled
together, doubled up in the same fashion, the space being insufficient
for them to sit or recline. On the highest deck were penned away a
still larger number of children of various ages,