"The gold at last!" cried Captain Broadbeam. "Hurrah! I was afraid something awful had happened." "And the wonderful monster," put in Doctor Barrell. "What an odd creature! It will make a grand exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution." "You'll have to pickle him in alcohol, doctor," said Dave, with a laugh. Both Amos Fearless and Dave were very weak from having remained at the ocean's bottom so long, and it was several days before either felt entirely like himself again. Strange to say, however, the trip after the treasure had helped Mr. Fearless' organs of speech, and soon he could talk almost as well as ever. "This is the best yet," declared Dave. "It's better than finding the treasure." "I am thankful from the bottom of my heart," answered the old diver, and his face showed that he spoke the truth. "I don't think that I want to go to the bottom of the Pacific again, father." "Nor I, Dave. It is too full of perils." The storm that had been threatening broke the next day, and was a great strain on the _Swallow_ and likewise on the _Raven_. The latter ship sprung a leak, and the _Swallow_ stood by, ready to offer assistance if she should go down. During that time those on the _Raven_ heard of the finding of the treasure. "I claim half of that treasure," said Lemuel Hankers. "You'll never get it," replied Amos Fearless, firmly. When the two ships separated it was discovered by those on the _Swallow_ that Pete Rackley was missing. "Do you know what I think?" said Dave. "I think he escaped to the _Raven_." "Well, let him go," said Captain Broadbeam. "We can well afford to do without him." "Do you think the Hankers will make any further trouble for us?" asked Dave of his father. "That remains to be seen," answered Amos Fearless. The Hankers and their friends did try to make trouble, and how will be told in another volume, to be called "The Cruise of the Treasure Ship; or, The Castaways of Floating Island." After the storm the weather cleared off nicely, and then Captain Broadbeam lost no time in beginning the long journey to San Francisco. "I suppose you want to bank that gold as soon as possible," he said to Amos Fearless. "Yes, I shall not feel safe about it until it is stored in some bank vault," was the answer. "And father and I intend to give all on board of this ship their just share of the treasure," put in Dave. "Well, I shan't complain of that," returned Captain Broadbeam, with a smile. "You've got a big pile and no mistake." "Won't the folks at home stare when they hear the news!" said Dave to his father. "Why, we'll have enough money to buy half of the town, and more." "I shall be glad of one thing, Dave." "You want to give up diving?" "Yes, I feel that I am getting too old for the work. Besides, I am afraid of losing my power of speech again." "Then give it up by all means, father." And the youth gave his parent a hug which meant a great deal.