e again joined us,
and received our hearty congratulations for his good conduct.

"Now, then, let us have another search for the treasure," cried Mr.
Brown, springing into the hole which Day had excavated, after he had
frightened us from the island.

"And you can't be too quick about the work, neither," muttered the
shepherd.

I asked for a meaning to his expression, but he declined answering, and
seizing the pick began to tear up the sods with lusty strokes, but
before a dozen blows wore struck, I heard the point of his pick strike
something that gave forth a metallic sound.

"Hold on, Day," I cried, "the prize is within our grasp at last."

I carefully removed the dirt with my hands, and had the satisfaction of
bringing to light a canvas bag that was so decayed that it barely
supported the heavy weight which it contained.

Mr. Brown and the shepherd were almost frantic with delight, and would
have cheered lustily, had not fear of bringing the bushrangers upon us
again restrained them.

"Down with it, so that I can say I have seen some money in my lifetime!"
cried Day. "Empty it out, and let me feel of it; let me but touch the
precious yellow boys with my fingers, and wonder how many splendid
funerals it would pay for."

I took one of his sheepskins and poured the contents of the bag upon it,
and out rattled gold dust, sovereigns, doubloons, a number of American
gold pieces--all bearing the date of 1832--articles of jewelry, such as
finger rings and watch chains, and at the bottom of the bag was a lady's
gold watch, enamelled back, and half a dozen small diamonds set in the
form of a cross upon the case. I examined the watch carefully, and saw a
stain near the diamonds. Something told me that the mark was the blood
of the unfortunate owner. I laid the jewel down with a shudder, and
thought of the cruelties to which the owner had undoubtedly been subject
before she met her death. Day, however, partook of none of my feelings,
for he was eager to possess so attractive a trinket.

"Take it if you desire it," I said, handing the watch to the shepherd,
"but you will always recollect that there is a stain of blood upon the
case."

"Not I," he replied, handling the article with as much pride and
pleasure as a boy receives a new toy; "I didn't shed her blood, and so
shan't trouble myself about this little spot that is on the case. It's
as pretty as a mahogany coffin, but it don't go."

"The works are rusted, and i