"Men," he exclaimed to the rest of the crews, "the treasure is, as you know, found." Here the bursts of cheering interrupted further speech for a space of nearly two minutes, but when order was at length restored Captain Jeremy continued: "Ere night I hope to have the whole of these chests safely aboard the Neptune. It will mean much labour, but I know you'll work with a will. This done, I want all hands, save a sufficient guard on both brigs, to repair to the stockade, and we'll have a right good carouse on the strength of our success. There are several casks of spirits aboard the Golden Hope, and sink me if I be niggardly in this matter."
Renewed cheering greeted this announcement, though, knowing that Captain Jeremy was not a man to encourage a carouse, I wondered at his action, especially at such a time, when there was danger from a known mutinous party in our midst.
"Number one ready, sir," announced one of the men from the door of the storehouse.
[Illustration: THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS">[
"Then out with it," replied the Captain, and as the bulky chest appeared, carefully nailed and corded, it was seized upon by a gang of lusty seamen and conveyed to the water's edge, where a boat was lying in readiness to take it to the Neptune. Seven others followed before Captain 'Enery and the men, all looking warm with their exertions, emerged from the storehouse, and the door was carefully locked.
"Now to set the watches on board both vessels," said Captain Jeremy; then in an aside to Captain 'Enery, though loud enough for me to hear, "Are our men ashore? Good! Now to settle with the rogues."
"Master Hammond, will you go and warn the crews of both vessels to muster ashore to-night? The exceptions are named on this list," he continued, slipping a paper into my hands. "They are to remain on board and keep a careful watch. Warn them on the Neptune of the precious nature of their trust."
I made my way to the shore, where a boat conveyed me to the Golden Hope. Then, having delivered Captain Jeremy's orders and detailed the watch party, I proceeded aboard the Neptune.
Here I was met at the gangway by Tompkins, the quartermaster, whom we knew to be one of the malcontents.