Later in the day it was discovered that five others of the Zug's crew had succeeded in escaping with their lives. By some strange freak on the part of a wave, they had been swept through the entrance to the lagoon, and unobserved by anyone on board the Titania, were washed up on Nua Leha.
When the wind moderated and a landing was possible, they were brought off to the Titania, almost dead by reason of their terrible struggle to gain the beach. Amongst them was the Zug's carpenter, but Kaspar von Giespert did not figure in the list of survivors.
Jack Villiers, protesting that his injuries did not much matter, was on deck at the second dog watch. After dinner Harborough called him aside.
"I think we'll cut the silver stunt, Villiers," he said. Then he paused to watch the effect of the announcement.
"Very well, sir," replied Jack.
"We've wrestled with Fortune and won, where other men have failed," continued the baronet. "I'm sorry that lives have been lost over the business; but we've this to be thankful for: we've come through it, if not with whole skins, without a single D.D. on the muster-book. I propose making for Sydney, transferring the gold to a liner, and taking passage home in her."
"Quite a good scheme," agreed Jack.
"We can sell the old Titania at a good figure," resumed Harborough, "and no doubt get a round sum for the secret of the silver. Let some other fellows have a run for their money; personally, I don't believe in playing Dame Fortune too hard. This gale is blowing itself out, so to-morrow we'll fill up the water-tanks, lay in such provisions as the island supplies, and say good-bye to Nua Leha."
On the following day all available hands, including the two Germans who had been under arrest, but were now released from their cells, went ashore to complete the preparations for the voyage, and by nightfall the Titania was revictualled and had water-tanks replenished.
At daybreak she sailed, her crew watching, with a certain amount of regret, the triple peaks of the island sinking lower and lower behind the horizon. Not only had the arduous work been successful, but the varied experiences had cemented a band of life-long comradeship between the members of the expedition.