He was picked up by a coaster bound for Valparaiso and later got a berth aboard an American ship of the line. Later he went into the navy.
But he had never forgotten the Transient Lake and the mound of gold. He believed all his companions dead.
He succeeded in the navy and became a lieutenant, finally being retired on half pay. Having the leisure time he now decided to carry out a long-cherished desire.
This was to pay a visit again to the Transient Lake, and if possible recover the buried treasure. He succeeded in organizing a party.
For a year they had floundered about in the swamps of Paraguay, and finally crossed the wild ranges of Chuquisoca, and by a stroke of luck found the lake.
And here they were encamped and waited for precisely the same thing that the aerial voyagers did, viz: the disappearance of the lake.
This much Captain Nicodemus guessed. He was so excited at the outlook that he inadvertently stood out in full view of the camp.
And just then Dooley, chancing to look up, saw him.
He gave a start and for a moment his face was livid. Then he started toward Nicodemus.
The captain saw that he had betrayed himself, so he did not attempt to conceal himself. Instead he advanced to meet the other.