"Give me that tube," cried Mr Parkley, and he thrust it down into the water excitedly, looking in all directions. "There's nothing there," he cried. "I examined that place before." "But it did not occur to us that the weeds had grown up and hidden the timbers. Now you watch that clump lying just under the schooner's keel. Do you see what I mean?" "Yes, I see." "Then keep your eye upon it," said Dutch, as he crept softly to the bows of the jolly-boat, and, taking one of half-a-dozen great boulders that were used for ballast, he heaved it overboard with a good splash, and then watched its effects. As he expected, from half-a-dozen weed masses out darted as many sharks, to make a dash at the stone as it descended rapidly through the clear water, and first one and then another turned over to show its white under-parts before going away sulkily and in disgust. "Well, what did you see?" said Dutch. "Sharks! Ugh, the beasts!" exclaimed Mr Parkley, with a shudder. "What else?" "Rough stumps of timber amongst the weeds." "Timbers of the old galleon, no doubt, preserved by the shelly concretions that have formed upon them and held them together." "But it's impossible, my dear boy. No man dare go down there; the sharks would rend him limb from limb. Who could go down?" "I shall, for one," said Dutch, calmly. "So now let's get on board." They climbed the side, and, as the news of their discovery spread through the ship, the excitement became great. Rasp began to bring up helmets and leaden weights, and ordered a couple of the men to come and assist with the air-pump, which had to be got up from below. "But, my dear Dutch," exclaimed Mr Parkley, in despair, "it is impossible--no one can go down." "Not at present," said Dutch, smiling, as he looked round and saw that nearly everybody was gazing over the side. "Perhaps, when I have set the example, Rasp will not mind following it." "But the sharks, my dear boy--they would tear you to pieces." "Let them, if they can," said Dutch, grimly. "I'm not going to be deterred from the search by a few sharks. And if, as you say, I was torn to pieces," he added, bitterly, "what then?" "I tell you I shall not let you risk your life," said Mr Parkley, firmly. "And I tell you I shall go down. If anything happens--" "That sweet little woman will be a widow," said Mr Parkley. "And who would care?" said Dutch, bitterly. "My dear Mr Parkley, we are anchored over the treasure, and sharks or no sharks, torn to pieces or left alone, I go down--Hester!" He started and turned sharply round, just in time to catch the fainting woman as she was falling senseless on the deck. STORY ONE, CHAPTER NINETEEN. PEPPER FOR THE SHARKS. Dutch felt a pang at his heart as he raised and carried the fainting woman below--Bessy Studwick joining him as he laid her on the little couch in the cabin; and he was about to leave her in the latter's care, when she began to revive, and called him by name.