ge all that gold for a stout twenty-feet
boat, well provisioned; but to him it would be simply wealth beyond his
dreams, and it is just as well not to put any ideas into his mind by ever
mentioning the stuff before him."

The gold was brought on shore and buried in the sand at the foot of a tall
tree standing just beyond the highest watermark. The work took them two
days, as some time was spent in making a further search in the cargo, from
which was fished up a bale of linen trousers and coats, which formed the
undress uniform during the heat of summer. Some shoes were also found, and
Stephen and the captain returned to the fort, each laden with a large
bundle. Stephen was especially glad at the discovery of the light clothes.
Those in which he had started on the chase of the brig were so shrunk with
sea water as to be almost unwearable, and he had been going about in
Spanish uniform, which he found most uncomfortably hot. He was almost
barefooted, and the shoes were even more highly prized than the light
clothing. The captain had also lost all his effects, but Jacopo had saved
his scanty wardrobe.

"We are now prepared for everything," Stephen said. "I don't think
shipwrecked mariners were ever better set up. We have clothes sufficient
for a lifetime, a great stock of weapons and ammunition, and provisions
enough for a couple of months at least. The last is our weakest point, I
admit. But there is the whole island as a hunting-ground. We must begin
and set to work to explore, captain. The ham has gone long ago, and I have
been longing for some time for a change from salt meat; besides, we want
some fruit or vegetables badly. We have stuck to work well, and deserve a
holiday. The first thing to do will be to climb to the top of the hill and
get some idea of the size of the island. I begin to think that it cannot
be inhabited, for if it had been they would surely have discovered the
wreck before now."

"That is not certain," the captain replied. "It may be a large island, and
the villages may lie on the other side. However, we have certainly grounds
for hope that we have got it all to ourselves. One thing I am anxious to
find is some sheltered spot or cave where we can pass the rainy season.
The place where we now are is charming in such weather as this, that is
for ten months in the year; but it is not a perch I should choose in such
a gale as that which cast us ashore."

"No; it would certainly be unpleasant. I shou