had driven from my mind all
thoughts of the purpose which had brought me on the island. And here I
must confess, to my shame, that my first definite thought on realising
my condition was not thankfulness to God for having saved me from
manifold danger, but one of anger and impatience because I had been
foiled in my purpose. It seemed to me as though defeat tracked my steps
everywhere. Ever and always I was outwitted by more clever brains than
my own, and now when I fancied I had wealth and power within my grasp,
it was snatched from me in a moment. I did not remember the probability
that the supposed treasure was no treasure at all, for the improbability
of any one hiding a box of great value at such a place had never
occurred to me. To my mind the whole business had been plain enough.
Granfer Fraddam knew of such a thing, and had kept its whereabouts a
profound secret, and only through the cleverness and affection of Eli
had I become possessed of its secret. Evidently, too, Cap'n Jack
Truscott's anxiety to possess the directions showed his belief in the
reality of hidden riches. Since then, however, I have much doubted it.
It seems to me next to impossible that such a place should be chosen to
hide great riches. Moreover, what was the reason for hiding it? Why had
it not been taken away before? And yet, on the other hand, why had the
box been placed there with so much care, and in such a wild,
unfrequented place, if it did not contain something of great value?
These questions, I suppose, will never be answered now. The box lies at
the bottom of "Hell's Mouth," and all the riches of the world would not
tempt me to try and drag it from its resting-place. I was saved by the
infinite mercy of God, and strong man as I am, I cannot help shuddering
even now at the thought of what I felt as I was dragged by unknown
powers through the depths of that awful place. I write this that any who
may read these lines may not be tempted to venture life and reason to
obtain that iron chest. Not even Cap'n Jack Truscott or any of his gang
dared to do this, and what they dared not attempt is not for flesh and
blood to regard as possible.

At that time, however, I did not think of these things. To me it
contained untold riches; in that grim iron casket lay love, riches,
happiness, home. I had failed to obtain it, even although I had dragged
it from its resting-place, because of the subtlety of Cap'n Jack's gang.
And yet I rejoiced that I had