labored until late in the night, meeting
with constant success; and, when we stopped, every one had a precious
pile to carry back to the shore. The coins were all corroded and
misshapen through the action of the salty mud in which they had lain,
and the disturbance caused by the roots of the trees. A few silver coins
were found, but all were in a very worn condition; some being little
more than ragged discs of the thickness of paper. Others, or the remains
of them, crumbled into a black powder at the touch of our fingers. The
gold was in better preservation; and we secured a goodly store of it.

We secreted our treasure in the woods on shore, and early the next
morning returned to our work. I can well remember our exultant feeling
as we set out in our boats. "Boys," Mr. Landstone called out, as we were
sailing over the narrow stretches of water toward the island, "how do
you feel?"

"I feel like--like--" I answered, rising in my seat and lifting my hat
to cheer.

"None of that!" he said quickly--but I knew I was about to express the
excited feeling of us all.

As to our further success, I would say that it was unabated during
nearly the whole day. I think we secured every piece of precious metal
that had been buried beneath the tree. The following day we uprooted the
other tree, but failed to find any trace of more booty. We concluded
that the remaining chest had probably been removed; but that is still an
unsettled question.

Besides the coin, we had discovered the remains of much silver plate;
but it was of little value, being almost entirely destroyed. But the
gold--there was an abundance of it, and we were all made rich!

In the meantime our parents appeared on the scene to learn the cause of
our protracted absence from home. It is needless to say that there was
no rod of correction held over us that day.

If I had taken care of my share of the treasure as I should have done
after my father's death, I would be living in luxury and comfort to-day;
but, even regretting my poor judgment, I can now thank a good Providence
that I have been sustained through a long life, which has had an undue
share of misfortune, by the splendid fortune which came to me in that
happy May of long ago.

[Illustration: "The decaying hulks of blockade runners that rise a
little here and there above the waves"]

THE CONQUEST OF JAMESBY.

I reached home for tea a little late, and saw my young friend Jamesby in
the back y