id he.

"That," replied I, "is just the point upon which I want your advice. If
this story be true--"

"No fear about that," said Bob. "It's true enough. The thing's as
plain and circumstantial as the ship's course when it's pricked off upon
the chart. There ain't a kink in the yarn from end to end; it's all
coiled down as neat and snug as a new hawser in the ropemaker's yard;
and besides, dyin' men don't spin yarns with no truth in 'em, just for
divarsion's sake, like."

"Well," said I, "I have not the means of purchasing a ship of my own;
and if I had, do you think it would be safe to trust so much treasure
with a crew, picked up though ever so carefully?"

"Ah! now you 'pawls me," replied Bob, rubbing the back of his head
reflectively. "I've sailed with crews as you might ha' trusted with
untold gold, at least, I've thowt so at the time I was with 'em; but
mayhap, if temptation was throwed in their way, they mightn't be able to
stand out agin it; there's no gettin' to the bottom o' the heart o' man.
As to the ship, that's easy enough. If you ain't got the cash to
_buy_, you can always _charter_."

"True," said I, "and if I could _make sure_ of finding a sufficient
number of thorough good men, that is the course I should be inclined to
pursue. Do you think, Bob, that by diligent search we could find some
six or eight really reliable men? The craft need not be a large one,
you know--"

"There you've hit the solution of the enigmy, as the schoolmaster said,"
replied Bob, bringing his clenched fist down upon my knee with an
emphasis which impressed me for the remainder of the evening: "How much
of that gold now do you reckon would make your fortune, lad? you're
pretty good at figures; just cipher it up and let's hear?"

"How much!" exclaimed I; "oh, a very small portion of the whole cargo
would satisfy me if I had it here at this moment."

"How much?" persisted Bob. "Would a _ton_ of it be enough for you,
boy?"

"Yes, indeed," laughed I; "a ton of pure gold--why, what do you suppose
that would be worth, Bob?"

"Hain't much of a 'idee," replied he.

"A ton of pure gold," said I, "is worth over one hundred thousand
pounds, Bob; I believe one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds is
nearer its value; though I cannot say for certain."

"Then," said Bob, "if we can manage to get, say, a couple of tons of it
home, you will be satisfied--eh?"

"Perfectly," I replied; "but how do you propose to accomp