so Phips and Gering went on deck and made preparations for the
treasure-hunt. A canoe was hollowed out by a dozen men in a few hours,
the tender was got ready, the men and divers told off, and Gering took
command of the searching-party, while Phips remained on the ship.

They soon had everything ready for a start in the morning. Word was
brought that Bucklaw still lived, but was in a high fever, and that the
chances were all against him; and Phips sent cordials and wines from his
own stores, and asked that news be brought to him of any change.

Early in the morning Gering, after having received instructions
from Phips, so far as he knew (for Bucklaw had not told all that was
necessary), departed for the river. The canoe and tender went up the
stream a distance, and began to work down from the farthest point
indicated in the chart. Gering continued in the river nearly all day,
and at night camped on the shore. The second day brought no better luck,
nor yet the third the divers had seen no vestige of a wreck, nor any
sign of treasure--nothing except four skeletons in a heap, tied together
with a chain, where the water was deepest. These were the dead priests,
for whom Bucklaw could account. The water was calm, the tide rising
and falling gently, and when they arrived among what was called the
Shallows, they could see plainly to the bottom. They passed over the
Boilers, a reef of shoals, and here they searched diligently, but to no
purpose; the divers went down frequently, but could find nothing. The
handful of natives in the port came out and looked on apathetically; one
or two Spaniards also came, but they shrugged their shoulders and pitied
the foolish adventurers. Gering had the power of inspiring his men, and
Phips was a martinet and was therefore obeyed; but the lifeless days
and unrewarded labour worked on the men, and at last the divers shirked
their task.

Meanwhile, Bucklaw was fighting hard for life.

As time passed, the flush of expectancy waned; the heat was great, the
waiting seemed endless. Adventure was needed for the spirits of the men,
and of this now there was nothing. Morning after morning the sun rose
in a moist, heavy atmosphere; day after day went in a quest which
became dreary, and night after night settled upon discontent. Then came
threats. But this was chiefly upon the Bridgwater Merchant. Phips had
picked up his sailors in English ports, and nearly all of them were
brutal adventurers. They we