41 Lure O Gold 1904

"
The Lure o 9
Gold
When I had, to a certain degree, overcome my awe
of these mysterious sounds, I proceeded very cautiously,
feeling uncertain of my ground. Of a sudden I stood
before a great, softly lighted square that lay along the
freight-deck. I crept to the edge of the square, which
I knew must be the open hatchway running down to the
lower hold. I got down on my hands and knees, and
looked into the hold. Away aft I caught the flare of a
candle-light, but when I gazed strainedly down I could
see nothing that might have immediate reference to
human life, save some black shadows. These I watched
until I saw they were moving along toward me, with the
light. I rose and stood shivering in the damp, cold
place, uncertain what to do. Then, during a lull in the
other sounds, I heard a foot strike the lower round of
the hatchway ladder and a deep voice, which I recog
nized as that of Max Fishley, said :
"Well, it s safe enough now. Nobody
would ever
think of looking for it
there."
"That s right,"
I heard Trust say,
"but how will we
take it ashore when we get into port
?
"Oh, leave that to me," said the third mate. "I
know how to do that business up in shape.
I ve smug
gled
too much loot ashore
to be bothered with a job
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