the raft. And the result was to him thoroughly
satisfactory; for ere Nicholls had arrived at the end of his yarn,
Leslie had come to the conclusion that his new companions were
thoroughly genuine, honest, steady, and straightforward men, upon whom
he could absolutely rely, and whom he could take into his confidence
with perfect safety. He therefore unhesitatingly told them the whole
history of the loss of the _Golden Fleece_, and what had followed it, up
to the moment of their meeting, judiciously reserving, however, for the
present, all mention of the discovery of the treasure.

"Now," he said, by way of conclusion, "you see exactly how we are all
situated here. I tell you frankly that I do not believe there is very
much prospect of your getting away from here until the cutter is
finished; although, should an opportunity occur, you will of course be
at full liberty to leave the island, if you so please. But, so far as
Miss Trevor and I are concerned, we shall now, in any case, stay here
until the cutter is ready, and sail at least part of the way home in
her. Now, it is for you to say whether you will throw in your lot with
us, and remain until we are ready to go; or whether you will avail
yourselves of any prior opportunity that may occur for you to escape.
Whichever way you may decide, there is an ample supply of provisions and
clothing--in fact, all the actual necessaries of life--for us all, to a
due share of which you will be most heartily welcome. But, since I have
made free use of the brig and her cargo, I shall of course feel myself
bound to make good the loss to the underwriters upon my return to
England; and I presume, therefore, that so long as you may remain upon
the island, you will be willing to assist me in my work of completing
the cutter, in return for your subsistence. Am I right in this
assumption?"

"You certainly are, so far as I'm concerned, Mr Leslie," answered
Nicholls. "I am not the man to loaf about here in idleness, and watch a
gentleman like yourself working hard all day. I'd a precious sight
sooner be doing a good honest day's work for my grub, than take all and
give nothing in return. What say you, Bob?"

"Same here, Mr Nicholls--_and_ Mr Leslie," answered Simpson.

"Very well," said Leslie; "then we will consider that matter as settled.
You will not, of course, be in a fit state to turn-to for a few days;
but as soon as you feel strong enough, let me know, and I shall be mor