“This resulted in a thrilling discovery. It was undoubtedly hollow and our first mate, Bill Langley, discovered a movable stone at its summit. He displaced this, and a great cavity was revealed.
“Our first thought, of course, was that it was a tomb or burial place of some extinct race. In looking into the place we would not have been surprised to have come across a heap of old bones or other such evidence.
“But what we did see was far different. Bill leaned over the aperture a while and rubbed his eyes repeatedly. Then he slid down, and said:
“’By jingo, mates! I’m a gallivantin’ old shark, if there ain’t a heap of gold in that ere place!’
“’Gold!’ I exclaimed.
“’With submission, sir!’
“’You are dreaming, man!’ I exclaimed somewhat excited. ’Do you mean it?’
“’Every word, skipper,’ replied Bill, solemnly. And I saw that he meant just what he said.
“This was enough for me. So I climbed upon the mound and looked in also. Something bright and yellow struck my gaze. I gave a gasp and then I cried:
“’Give me a rope, mates. Steady me while I go down there!’