Part 2 (1/2)
”That,” replied I, ”is just the point upon which I want your advice. If this story be true--”
”No fear about that,” said Bob. ”It's true enough. The thing's as plain and circ.u.mstantial as the s.h.i.+p's course when it's p.r.i.c.ked off upon the chart. There ain't a kink in the yarn from end to end; it's all coiled down as neat and snug as a new hawser in the ropemaker's yard; and besides, dyin' men don't spin yarns with no truth in 'em, just for divarsion's sake like.”
”Well,” said I, ”I am disposed, with you, to think that the story _is_ quite true; the man could have no object in telling it if it were not so. The question is, what is to be done in the matter?”
”Done!” exclaimed Ada, ”why, what _should_ be done, Harry, except that you go to this island, dig up the gold, bring it home, and live like a gentleman ever afterwards?”
This was Ada's great ambition; that I should be placed in the position of a gentleman. She had a theory--whence derived I know not--that it was my destiny to become a man of unbounded means; and that my life was to be pa.s.sed in an atmosphere of splendour and luxury only equalled by that enjoyed by the most favoured heroes of the ”Arabian Nights.” And this was an entirely disinterested feeling on her part too; for though she would often laughingly prophesy what would happen ”when I should become a rich man,” I never knew her to utter a word which suggested the idea that _she_ would in any way be a gainer by my acquisition of wealth.
”More easily said than done, pet,” replied I, patting her soft cheek.
”What is to become of you whilst I am gone?”
”Why, I shall stay here with Mrs Moseley (our housekeeper) until your return, and be the first to welcome you back,” said she.
”Well,” replied I, ”I think suitable arrangements for your comfort and safety could be made without much difficulty; but,” said I, appealing to Bob, ”how is this gold to be got at and brought home in safety? I have not the means of purchasing a s.h.i.+p of my own; and if I had, do you think it would be safe to trust so much treasure with a crew, picked up though ever so carefully?”
”Ah! now you 'pawls me,” replied Bob, rubbing the back of his head reflectively. ”I've sailed with crews as you might ha' trusted with untold gold, at least I've thowt so at the time I was with 'em; but mayhap, if temptation was throwed in their way, they mightn't be able to stand out agin it; there's no gettin' to the bottom o' the heart o' man.
As to the s.h.i.+p, that's easy enough. If you ain't got the cash to _buy_, you can always _charter_?”
”True,” said I, ”and if I could _make sure_ of finding a sufficient number of thorough good men, that is the course I should be inclined to pursue. Do you think, Bob, that by diligent search we could find some six or eight really reliable men? The craft need not be a large one, you know--”
”There you've hit the solution of the enigmy, as the schoolmaster said,”
replied Bob, bringing his clenched fist down upon my knee with an emphasis which impressed me for the remainder of the evening: ”How much of that gold now do you reckon would make your fortune, lad? you're pretty good at figures; just cipher it up and let's hear?”
”How much!” exclaimed I; ”oh, a very small portion of the whole cargo would satisfy me if I had it here at this moment.”
”How much?” persisted Bob. ”Would a _ton_ of it be enough for you, boy?”
”Yes, indeed,” laughed I; ”a ton of pure gold--why, what do you suppose that would be worth, Bob?”
”Hain't much of a idee,” replied he.
”A ton of pure gold,” said I, ”is worth over one hundred thousand pounds, Bob; I believe one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds is nearer it's value; though I cannot say for certain.”
”Then,” said Bob, ”if we can manage to get, say, a couple of tons of it home, you will be satisfied--eh?”
”Perfectly,” I replied; ”but how do you propose to accomplish this?” for I saw he had a scheme to bring forward.
”Nothing easier,” replied Bob. ”Build a little craft big enough to accommodate the two of us; with room to stow away our grub and water, and the two tons of gold; and up anchor and away.”
”But,” said I, ”you forget that this island is somewhere in the Pacific.
Such a craft as you speak of would be totally unfit for the voyage we contemplate.”
”Why?” inquired Bob.
”Why?” repeated I, astonished at the question. ”Simply because we should never get across the Bay of Biscay in her, to say nothing of the remainder of the voyage.”
”Why not?” demanded Bob, rather pugnaciously.