"Are you not glad that the treasure is found, sir?" I asked.
"Glad, aye, that I am; but I'll not feel satisfied till I have the stuff safe and sound in Poole Harbour. Mark my words, the most anxious time is yet to come."
Shortly after midnight the camp was aroused by a musket shot, and all hands, standing to their arms, prepared to resist an attack, though by whom we knew not. But it turned out to be a false alarm, for one of the seamen, being overexcited with the events of the day, had unwittingly fingered the trigger of his piece.
Nevertheless, few of us had much sleep that night, and with the first sight of dawn the march was resumed.
The greater part of the path now being downhill, we made far more rapid progress than on the outward journey, in spite of the load of treasure; and late in the afternoon we reached the brow of the hill overlooking the harbour where the Golden Hope and her consort lay.
Captain Jeremy thereupon ordered three musket shots to be fired in the air--the pre-arranged signal of success. Instantly a crowd of men issued from the stockade, and with shouts and much waving of arms rushed to meet us. The ships, too, hoisted their colours to the mastheads, while the Golden Hope fired seven guns by way of a salute.
Willing hands seized the heavily laden barrows, and with a rush they were run down the hill, across the flat plain, and into the stockade, while Captain 'Enery and our leader exchanged congratulations and eager questions.
"Any news?" asked Captain Jeremy anxiously.
"None; all is quiet on both vessels."
Having entered the stockade, Captain Jeremy immediately gave orders for the spoil to be carried into the storehouse, and, having picked out four tried men, he set them, under the superintendence of Captain 'Enery, to load up the stout chests that had previously been prepared.