another groan full of misery. "I forgot
all that."

"I say," said Dellow, as they came within sight from the lower terrace
once more, "something's happened while you've been away."

"What is it?" said the captain.

"Tide's turned, and the water's flowing steadily the other way."

"That means the flood's gone down then," said the captain. "Well, then,
gentlemen, when you've got your images on board I suppose you'd like to
be going back, for the stores are running very low."

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

THE SLIPPERY TREASURE.

"Don't know that I am pleased," said Sir Humphrey, when his brother and
Briscoe told him of the discovery; "but it is very wonderful, and I
suppose we may claim the right to all we have found."

"Certainly," said Briscoe.

"Well, the first thing to be done is to acquaint the captain, Dellow,
and Lynton."

"Of course," said Briscoe, "and the men must know."

"Does it not mean trouble?" said Brace. "I mean with the crew."

"No," replied Briscoe; "the skipper has them all well in hand now, and
they must be given to understand that every man will take a share of the
gold, according to his position. I vote we tell the skipper and mates
at once."

Ten minutes later they were fully acquainted with the facts, and the
captain screwed his face up tightly.

"Hah!" he said; "I never aimed at being rich, but I'm not going to
quarrel with my luck."

"No," said Briscoe, "and I think we ought to take as much of it as we
can carry with us."

"Well, gentlemen, it's a big find, and I suppose it means half a dozen
journeys here to fetch it all to the brig."

"We cannot say yet," said Sir Humphrey; "but we ought to get all we can
down to the brig at once."

"Yes," said Briscoe, "and leave Mr Brace and me here with a couple of
men to guard the rest."

"No," said Sir Humphrey firmly; "we must keep together. I say: let's
load the boats as far as is wise and get as much of the treasure as
possible safely to the brig."

"And lose all there is left," said Briscoe.

"No," replied Brace. "This gold must have kept here in safety for at
least a thousand years, so I daresay it will rest till we get back
again."

"Look here, gentlemen," said the captain; "both these plans sound well,
but we can settle which we'll try afterwards. I don't feel that we've
got the treasure till the two boats have their loads packed in the
bottoms like ballast, well covered with leaves. Let's get as much as we
can, an