41 Lure O Gold 1904

"
In the
Lower Hold
"They ve found the dust!" repeated a deep-toned
bass, and all hands sprang toward the place of the dis
covery.
The finders of the supposed
treasure had undone a
tightly tied package and were unrolling it at the com
mand of Mr. Nason, who had immediately taken a
lively interest in the discovery
to keep back the curious crowd.
and had tried his best
Wai, all that there gold ain t
in that little bundle,"
remarked one miner to another.
"No, unless that s all the is left of it after goin
through the mill," said another.
There were a few minutes of suspense during which
I worked my way
to the side of the first officer and
looked down at the object on which all eyes were bent.
As it was unrolled it seemed to be a seaman s old blouse,
and in its innermost fold the eager searchers were re
warded by the sight of something that gleamed
in the
lantern light.
This something was held up to view.
"Nothin but an old whisky bottle!" groaned one
of the expectant crowd. "Jest an old dead soldier."
"Fall back there, men!" commanded Mr. Nason,
"
and get to work."
The men resumed their places.
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