Amid murmurs of approval and congratulations, the party broke up and started back in the launch, Mr. Journegan especially active in getting away from the dock and explaining vehemently the reason that the extraction had not been made before was that it took a man with brains and one with executive ability to work a thing like that together, to a successful conclusion.
Before twenty-four hours had elapsed there had been a company formed with Mr. Smithe at its head, and there had been twenty-five thousand dollars in ready cash put at its disposal in the town bank for the purpose of carrying on the experiments and continuing the production of gold from the waters of the Bay of Biscayne.
Twice during the week following the experiment was repeated with equal success. The cloth disappeared from the wire and the gold was found upon the pole. It was astounding, but there was no way of contradicting the evidence of the senses. There was the gold. That was enough for many—gold, gold, gold. The thing took like wild-fire. The news was spread broadcast, and Bahama Bill sat in the mornings reading the papers with a grin of derision upon his big ugly face.
"Of course, it's none of my business," said Smart, "but if you're wise you'll not go into any crooked game. It's all well enough to repair their outfit, but if you're in anything crooked, you're not playing fair with me."
"Yo' wanted me toe go into it," growled the mate.
"I dun promised not to gib way nuthin'—fo' a big stake. Yous livin' high on fresh beef and good whack, Sam and Heldron is paid off and everythin' seems all right 'Tain't none of mah business what those fellows do—I'm jest doin' what I agreed to—jest divin'—divin'—see."
"Better quit it when you've got enough to lay by with until we make our deal," said Smart. "Of course you can't tell me what you do, what your lay is down at the plant?"
"I dun passed mah word," said Bahama Bill gravely. "I ain't playin' straight, but I dun passed mah word—"
"Could you give an exhibition of the part you play?" asked the sailor.
The big mate thought a moment. He did not seem to like the idea, it was not fair according to his standpoint of honour. He had his limitations, but he generally did what he said he would. At the same time he knew he was getting into a game which would cause him trouble in the end if he did not get out quickly. The thing was too good to last.