"What's to be done when I'm down there?"
"Pull away the rocks an' gravel as we've done. Don't try to stay too long at a time, but work lively while you are there."
Jim was too good a swimmer to be afraid, and he leaped in from the rail, since there was no further fear in making the descent. He looked red in the face when Harry saw him again, but appeared to be in high glee.
"It's nothin' more'n I've done down to the Isle of Shoals lots of times when the fellers have tried to see who could stay under water the longest," he said as Harry pulled in the weight and Joe took possession of it at once, that the work might not be delayed.
"I thought it was my turn;" and Harry looked disappointed because he had not been allowed to follow Jim.
"You'll have plenty of chances after awhile," Bob replied. "Although it don't seem very much to do, none of us can keep it up a great while. 'Tend to the weights 'till Jim needs a rest, an' then take his place."
But little time was spent in conversation, now that the work had fairly begun. In rapid succession the divers leaped from the raft until each had made a dozen descents, when it became necessary for them to rest, and Harry was allowed to do his share.
He performed but little work during the first descent, because by the time he had looked about him with no slight degree of curiosity it became necessary to rise to the surface for air. He was surprised, however, with the progress made. The ballast had been dug and pushed away until a deep excavation could be seen, and it seemed certain the greater portion of the treasure's covering had been removed.
To his delight it was reserved for him to raise the first package of the precious metal. While the others were stretched out on the raft resting from the fatiguing work, he went down four times in rapid succession, and then electrified his companions by shouting as he came to the surface:
"I've got one bag out; but can't bring it up!"