nd and water, and then brought out more plates,
more cups, thin flat sheets, bars of the thickness of a finger and six
inches long. Then another great round disc similar to the one I had
dragged out with Tom; and then--then--sand--water--sand--water--sand--
one solitary plate.

"There must be more, Tom!" I whispered excitedly. "Where is the rod?"

He felt about for a few minutes, and I heard the metal clinking upon
metal as he drew the iron rod towards him. Then, feeling for the
pointed end, he thrust it down here and there again and again.

"Try you, Mas'r Harry," he said huskily.

I took the rod, and felt with it all over the pit; but everywhere it ran
down easily into the sand, and I felt that we must have got all there
was hidden there. And now, for the first time, I began to think of the
value. Why, if this were all pure gold that lay piled-up by our side,
there must be thousands upon thousands of pounds' worth--twenty
thousands at the least. But a pang shot through my brain the next
instant, for the thought had struck me, suppose it should prove but
copper after all.

The day would show it, and the day I hoped would soon be there. But now
a new trouble assailed me. What about Tom--what share would he expect?

"Mas'r Harry," said Tom just then, "if this here all turns out to be
gold you'll be a rich man, won't you?"

"Yes, Tom," I said, "very wealthy."

My words would hardly leave my lips. "Then you'll do the handsome thing
by me when I get married, won't you, Mas'r Harry?"

"What shall I do, Tom?" I said, wondering the while what he would say.

"'Low me a pound a week and my 'bacco as long as I live."

"Yes, Tom, two if you like," I exclaimed aloud. "But now lend a hand
here and let's get these behind the rock farther in."

Fatigue! We never gave that a thought, as, each seizing one of the
round shields, we carried them cautiously in and felt our way to where
was the food, taking back with us more of the coffee-bags, in which we
carefully packed the flattened cups, and each bore back a heavy bag, but
only hastily to return again and again to collect the plates, and
sheets, and bars we had rapidly thrown out; when we returned once more
to throw ourselves upon the sand and feel over it with our hands again
and again, creeping in every direction, forcing in our fingers and
running the sand through them till we felt certain that nothing was left
behind.

"Now, then, Tom," I said. "Quick!--