ery threatening."

"Only rain, I think," replied Eric, looking up at the sky.

"Good, that will not make us very wet when we are in the water, with our
bare skins," said Fritz quizzingly.

"No," replied Eric, laughing. "But, the sooner we are now off the
better, as you say; for, even if the weather holds up, there are a lot
of things for us to do when we get home. We have the pigs to skin, as
well as cut up and salt; and, besides, there's all our money to count
over."

"We can do that now, as we roll it up in the blanket," replied Fritz,
proceeding to suit the action to the word.

To their high delight, they found that there were nearly two thousand
separate gold coins, apart from the solid lump fused together, the whole
being probably worth some three thousand pounds, or thereabouts.

"Why, it's a perfect fortune!" exclaimed Eric. "You and Madaleine will
now be able to marry and settle down, and mother be comfortably provided
for, and everything!"

"But, how about your share?" said Fritz, looking at the unselfish lad
with glistening eyes. "Your share, indeed, why it's all yours!"

"Nonsense," replied Eric; "we are partners, are we not? Besides, I
don't want any money. When we leave here, you know, I'm going to sea
again with Captain Brown, in the _Pilot's Bride_; and a sailor, unlike
you poor land folk, carries his home with him. He does not continually
want cash for housekeeping expanses!"

"Very well, we'll see about that bye-and-bye," said Fritz, putting all
the coins into the blanket, which Eric then tied up securely, lashing it
round with a cord in seaman fashion. After that, they pitched the
bundle down below, when the chink of the coins at the bottom of the
gully sounded like pleasant music in their ears!

The barrel of the needle-gun was then unscrewed from the stock, Fritz
having kept the weapon ready for use as long as they remained on the
plateau, thinking that as Fortune had so strangely endowed them with the
pirate's treasure, perhaps some outlandish bird might equally suddenly
make its appearance for him to add to their spoil. However, as nothing
new in the feathered line came in sight, the albatross having taken
their departure with the penguins, and not even an "island hen" being to
be seen, the two now clambered down to the west beach once more.

Here, packing up their cask again with the various impedimenta they
still had, they proceeded also to put in their clothing.

Then, fas