"Suppose the Indians know of all these golden ornaments and things being here?" "I don't suppose they do; but if they do, what then?" "Suppose they came now in force and beat us off?" "Ah, it would be awkward if they came now; but if they did there'd be a very ugly fight before we gave up our hold on what we've found." "Yes; we couldn't give it up now." "I say, what about the men?" said Briscoe. "They must know, of course, and take their share of what we carry away." "Oh!" groaned Briscoe, "and after finding what has been the dream of my life." "What do you mean!" said Brace wonderingly. "Why, we've only got those two boats and can't take much. Brace, my lad, do you think it would be possible to bring the brig up here?" "Yes, perhaps we might if you could knock down those falls, and do away with all the shallow parts between here and there." "Of course," said Briscoe, with another groan full of misery. "I forgot all that." "I say," said Dellow, as they came within sight from the lower terrace once more, "something's happened while you've been away." "What is it?" said the captain. "Tide's turned, and the water's flowing steadily the other way." "That means the flood's gone down then," said the captain. "Well, then, gentlemen, when you've got your images on board I suppose you'd like to be going back, for the stores are running very low." CHAPTER FORTY ONE. THE SLIPPERY TREASURE. "Don't know that I am pleased," said Sir Humphrey, when his brother and Briscoe told him of the discovery; "but it is very wonderful, and I suppose we may claim the right to all we have found." "Certainly," said Briscoe. "Well, the first thing to be done is to acquaint the captain, Dellow, and Lynton." "Of course," said Briscoe, "and the men must know." "Does it not mean trouble?" said Brace. "I mean with the crew." "No," replied Briscoe; "the skipper has them all well in hand now, and they must be given to understand that every man will take a share of the gold, according to his position. I vote we tell the skipper and mates at once." Ten minutes later they were fully acquainted with the facts, and the captain screwed his face up tightly. "Hah!" he said; "I never aimed at being rich, but I'm not going to quarrel with my luck." "No," said Briscoe, "and I think we ought to take as much of it as we can carry with us." "Well, gentlemen, it's a big find, and I suppose it means half a dozen journeys here to fetch it all to the brig." "We cannot say yet," said Sir Humphrey; "but we ought to get all we can down to the brig at once." "Yes," said Briscoe, "and leave Mr Brace and me here with a couple of men to guard the rest." "No," said Sir Humphrey firmly; "we must keep together. I say: let's load the boats as far as is wise and get as much of the treasure as possible safely to the brig." "And lose all there is left," said Briscoe.