"
It had been agreed that, while Wicks was to board the
ship and do the civil, the rest were to remain in the
whaleboat and see the treasure safe. A tackle was
passed down to them; to this they made fast the
invaluable chest, and gave the word to heave. But the
unexpected weight brought the hand at the tackle to a
stand; two others ran to tail on and help him, and the
thing caught the eye of Trent.
"Vast heaving!" he cried sharply; and then to Wicks:
"What's that? I don't ever remember to have seen a
chest weigh like that."
"It's money," said Wicks.
"It's what?" cried Trent.
"Specie," said Wicks; "saved from the wreck."
Trent looked at him sharply. "Here, let go that chest
again, Mr. Goddedaal," he commanded, "shove the boat
off, and stream her with a line astern."
"Ay, ay, sir!" from Goddedaal.
"What the devil's wrong?" asked Wicks.
"Nothing, I daresay," returned Trent. "But you'll
allow it's a queer thing when a boat turns up in mid-
ocean with half a ton of specie and everybody armed,"
he added, pointing to Wicks's pocket.
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