"You can't see a fire like this--not any wye
awye, I mean."
"Can't you?" said Carthew. "Look round."
They did, and saw the hollow of the night, the bare,
bright face of the sea, and the stars regarding them;
and the voices died in their bosoms at the spectacle.
In that huge isolation, it seemed they must be visible
from China on the one hand and California on the other.
"My God, it's dreary!" whispered Hemstead.
"Dreary?" cried Mac, and fell suddenly silent.
"It's better than a boat, anyway," said Hadden. "I've
had my bellyful of boat."
"What kills me is that specie!" the captain broke out.
"Think of all that riches--four thousand in gold, bad
silver, and short bills--all found money too!--and no
more use than that much dung!"
"I'll tell you one thing," said Tommy. "I don't like
it being in the boat--I don't care to have it so far
away."
"Why, who's to take it?" cried Mac, with a guffaw of
evil laughter.
But this was not at all the feeling of the partners,
who rose, clambered down the isle, brought back the
inestimable treasure-chest slung upon two oars, and set
it conspicuous in the shining of the fire.
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