aith, I would not trust this treasure out of my
sight on any consideration, until I handed it over to the Chilian
government, after taking care to deduct the fleet's share of the
prize-money. It will be welcome, I can tell you, for the pay of the fleet
is terribly in arrear. The treasury is empty, and there are no means of
refilling it. Properly speaking, the whole of the fleet's share of the
money should go to you, but the rules of the service are arbitrary."

The conversation had been in English, and the admiral going on deck
ordered the officer, who had remained sitting in his gig, to tow the
cutter alongside the flag-ship. The officer at once gave the necessary
orders. Two of the men jumped on board and hauled up the anchor, and
nothing but the presence of the admiral prevented a burst of laughter
among the boat's crew as the stone came to the surface. As it was, there
was a broad grin on their faces. The two men resumed their places in the
boat, and the cutter was towed to the side of the flag-ship. Lord Cochrane
ordered a whip to be sent down with slings, and himself superintended the
bringing up of the boxes, whose weight in comparison to their size excited
lively surprise among the sailors who brought them up to the deck. The
slings were placed round them one by one, and they were hoisted to the
deck of the frigate, and carried into the admiral's cabin.

After the last box had been swung up, the admiral and Stephen went up the
accommodation ladder to the deck. The officers were gathered round the
boxes wondering at their weight.

"What should you say they have in them, gentlemen?" Lord Cochrane asked.

"I should say that they contained specie," the captain said, "had it not
been out of the question that so great an amount could be collected in
Chili."

"I am happy to inform you, gentlemen, that those boxes contain Spanish
gold, and that they are a lawful prize captured from the enemy by a boat's
crew from this ship, under the command of my flag-midshipman, Mr.
Embleton. Every man on board, therefore, in proportion to his rank, will
come in for a share of prize-money, and for this you will have to thank
your fellow-officer here."

Hitherto none of them had recognized Stephen, but had been wondering who
the strange figure was, that had come on board with the admiral. They
still looked almost incredulous, until Stephen stepped forward and held
out his hand to his special friends and addressed them by name.