Just then I was wondering if I dared cross the tree. It seemed very frail, and the rounded trunk was difficult to walk upon. Should I lose my balance there were only a few slender branches to cling to in order to keep from toppling over into the gulf below. Bry saw my dilemma, however, and running lightly across the tree again he caught me up bodily and perched me upon his broad shoulders. “Hold fast, Mars Sam,” he called, and the next moment stepped out fearlessly and, while Uncle Naboth held his breath in grim suspense, the black crossed the swaying tree and dropped me safely on the other side. The old man had barely time to grasp both my hands in a warm clasp when the big Major came up, blowing and sputtering, with the balance of the party. “Well, where’s the rest o’ the thieves?” he cried out, glaring fiercely at me and then at Bry. “Under that rock, sir,” I answered gravely, with a shudder at the recollection of their dreadful punishment; and then, in as few words as possible, I told the story of our adventures, relating how we had followed the robbers and recovered the gold, and of the great storm that had sent the rocking-stone hurling into the chasm to seal up the evil band in a living tomb. Even the Major was impressed by the weird tale, and Uncle Naboth wiped the sweat from his brow as he leaned over the cliff and marked the immense wedge of rock that had closed forever the mouth of the cavern. “It seems there’s no one left to punish,” growled the red-beard, in a low voice; “and I’m glad the fate of those scoundrels was taken out of my hands. As for you, young man,” turning suddenly to me, “you’ve acted splendidly, an’ so have the niggers. Let’s shake hands all ’round!” I felt my face turn as red as the Major’s whiskers at this unexpected praise. “Hooray!” yelled Ned Britton, and the others joined him in a mighty shout of approval. Then Ned and Bry crossed the tree to where Nux was still standing on the peak, and hoisted the loaded trousers to Bryonia’s back. Nux crossed over in front and Ned Britton behind the bearer of the precious gold, to save him if he made a misstep; but their caution was unnecessary. The big Sulu was as sure-footed as a goat, and safely deposited his burden at the Major’s feet. Then we all returned to the near-by camp for breakfast, after which, the gold being taken from the trousers and distributed into several small packages, that they might be more easily carried, Nux was given his leg-coverings again, to his infinite satisfaction. “And now,” said the Major, “we’ll make tracks for the camp. We’ve been away a long time, but we’ve got the gold back, and got rid of the worst characters among the lot of us; so there’s nothing much to grumble over, after all.” CHAPTER XVI. THE GRAVE CAPTAIN GAY.