At one of the banks was stored gold to the value of thirty-five millions of dollars, and silver to the value of eighteen millions of dollars.
"The Russians have their eyes on that gold and silver," said Oscar. "And they sha'n't get it, not if I can prevent the move."
Day after day the new Holland kept on her journey, only stopping once for extra food and water.
Then they ran between a number of islands, and one day found themselves caught in a storm and entered a little cave under a cliff.
The storm increased in violence and the heavy rains caused a landslide.
There was a strange rumble over their heads and the water was boiling and foaming on all sides of the Holland.
"By Jove! I don't like this!" cried Andy. "Something is wrong."
"It sounds like an earthquake," replied Oscar. "And see how dark it is getting."
The young captain of the Holland was right; the light of day had suddenly ceased to shine in on them and nothing more could be seen until the electric lights were lit.
"We had better move out of here," said George Dross.