‘All right!’ responded Montgomery from beneath it.
‘Vere’ve you been this jolly long vile,’ said the cockney, as he opened the slide of a dark lantern, while Montgomery drew the boat along to a place where an opening in the planking admitted Blodget’s dropping into the boat.
‘Hold her steady,’ said Blodget, as he leaped square into the centre of the boat.
‘Who else is vith ye?’ said Jobson, the Londoner.
‘Step down here, Belcher,’ said Blodget.
As he spoke a man leaped lightly into the boat. To the casual observer there was nothing in the appearance of this individual to attract particular attention, but one accustomed to gauge men’s figures by the eye, could not have failed to be struck by the broad shoulders, the full rounded chest, the muscular limbs, and the easy grace of every movement. Pity that a form so full of manliness should hold so black a heart.
‘Pull straight for the big wooden store, at the foot of Sacramento street. Old Vandewater, thinking he was d—d sharp, had the kegs of specie, packed in barrels of mackerel by Monteagle and put in the old store, thinking some of us might hear of the sale of the steamer, and break into his store. Brown, to-day, accidentally overheard the carman speak of moving some mackerel, and as it tallied with the day the money was moved, guessed the rest. We can easily get into the store,’ continued Blodget.
‘Give way!’ said the man we have called Belcher, and at the same moment he dipped the blades of a pair of oars into the water and the yawl flew forward.
Few words were spoken, although there was small chance of their being overheard, so loudly howled the gale.
When they reached the wharf upon which stood the store, they proceeded between the piles until all chance of their light being observed was destroyed. An auger was now produced, a hole bored in the planking, then a sharp well greased key-hole saw was introduced and in less than a quarter of an hour a hole sufficiently large to admit a man, was made.