There was something very pathetic in the aspect of the young man, in whom it was plain enough to see that one by one most fatal diseases had made such inroads as to preclude all hope of recovery; and saddened at heart, for more than one reason, above all feeling that his presence was not welcome, Dutch superintended his men till, feeling that it would be absolutely necessary that some one would have to be on deck every day till the copper was all recovered, he made up his mind that it would fall to his lot, except at such times as Mr Parkley would relieve guard. STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOUR. THE DIVER AT HOME. The next morning Rasp was sent off to act as superintendent, for Mr Parkley decided that Dutch must stay and help him in his plans for carrying out the Cuban's wishes, if he took the affair up, and previously to discuss the matter. Dutch announced to Rasp then that he would have to set off at once. "It's always the way," grumbled the old fellow. "Board that schooner, too. Yah!" "Never mind, Rasp; you like work. You'll be like the busy bee, improving each shining hour," said Dutch, smiling. "Yes; and my helmets, and tubes, and pumps getting not fit to be seen, and made hat-pegs of. Busy bee, indeed! I'm tired of improving the shining hours. I've been all my life a-polishing of 'em up for some one else." He set off growling, and vowing vengeance on the men if they did not work; and Dutch returned to find Mr Parkley with a map of the West Indies spread upon the desk. "Look here," he said, "here's the place," and he pointed to the Caribbean Sea. "Do you think seriously of this matter, then?" said Dutch. "Very. Why not? I believe it is genuine. Don't you?" "I can't say," replied Dutch. "It may be." "I think it is," said the other, sharply; "and it seems to me a chance." "If it proved as this Cuban says, of course it would be." "And why should it not?" said Mr Parkley. "You see he has nothing to gain by getting me to fit out an expedition, unless we are successful." "But it may be visionary." "Those ingots were solid visions," said Mr Parkley. "No, my lad; the thing's genuine. I've thought it out all right, and decided to go in for it at once--that is, as soon as we can arrange matters." "Indeed, sir!" said Dutch, startled at the suddenness of the decision. "Yes, my lad, I have faith in it. We could go in the schooner. Take a couple of those divers, and some of our newest appliances. I look upon the whole affair as a godsend. Hum! Here he is. Don't seem too eager, but follow my lead." A clerk announced the previous night's visitor; and Dutch recalled for the moment the previous day's meeting, and the annoyance he had felt on seeing the stranger's admiring gaze. But this was all forgotten in a few moments, the Cuban being certainly all that could be desired in gentlemanly courtesy, and his manners were winning in the extreme.