Year: 1878


ness of the defile above. All was dark
and still. Not q glimmer of light ap-
peared to guide his footsteps, and the
deep, sullen roar of the sea, as IL lashed
the rock-bound coast, was the only
sound that disturbed the stiffness. Still,
Jack kept bravely on, till he finally
reached the top of the natural staircase,
and found himself on smooth, level
surface of rock. Here an encouraging
sight met his gaze. Straight ahead, at
a distance Of some twenty yards, he saw
dim ray of light, apparently coming
out of the solid face of the wall on the
left.


"The mouth of the cave" he mutter-
ed confidently; and loosening the revol-
vers in his belt, he moved forward with
stealthy steps.


But before he could reach the point
aimed at, the sound of gruf voices,
coarse laughter and oaths, reached his
ear, and caused him to stop abruptly
Then, to his dismay, about dozen men
came filing out of the opening in the
rock, the light from within striking
upon their wild, picturesque attire and
dark, savage-looking features with re-
markable effect.


For an instant Jack 's' heart was in his
/ throat; but glancing quickly around for
place to hide, he observed dark
niche in the rock, and Immediately
lodged In.


"We'll have you here to guard our
new discovery, Pedro" one man was
saying, in a jovial tone. "You are not
afraid to stay alone, / hope. Ha hal
ha! 1 guess nobody will harm you.-
Come, menl"


And the outlaw band moved away
They passed SO close to Jack that he
could have touched them by reaching
out his hand, but luckily he was not dis
covered. He eheard enough of their frag-
mentary conversation to understand
that their destination was stock-farm,
some miles away, where they intended
committing robbery. The next minute
they were gone, and all was still again.
Jacks resolution was quickly formed
Stepping out of his hiding-place, he
made his way back to the spot where he
had left Harry.


"You saw the, robbers come down ?'
he asked, as his friend Joined him.


" Yes," replied Harry, eagerly. "How
many men have they left behind 2"


"Only, one and am confident that
they have found the treasure. Harry,
we must have that gold tonight. Go
get the boat, as quickly as you can, and
bring it right here to this spot. Trust
me to the other work. There don't
stop to ask questions, but do as / tell
you. Col"


Though dumb with amazement, Harry
saw that it was no time to indulge in
unnecessary remarks, and without wait
ing for second bidding he bounded
away to get the boat.


Jack turned, and again hurried up the
steps, this time with a fierce determina-
ton written on his handsome face. Ar
irving at the top,he once more advanced
cautiously toward the cave-entrance,
through which the light was still stream
ing. Reaching it unmolested, he drop
ped upon all-fours and took stealthy
peep at the interior.


The entrance was very narrow, but at
least six feet in height. 1t revealed a
short passage, not over ten feet in
length, which opened abruptly into a
spacious apartment beyond. The room
was brilliantly lighted with torches, ar
ranged in crevices of the wall, and one
man was visible-only one. This indi-
vidual was seated at table in the centre
of the apartment, mixing a glass of
grog with the dignified composure of
prince.


Jack at once recognized Pedro, the
wretch who had spied upon his and
Harry's movements. On the table stood
two massive earthen jars, and the
youths eyes fairly snapped as he gazed
at them, for he believed they contained
the lost treasure.


Now is my time," thought jack
ST am going to do it or die, and may
the Lord help me"


He drew both of his revolvers and ex-
amined them critically, to see that moth
ing was wrong. Then, clutching one
in each had, he rose to his feet and
walked boldly into the cave, as If he
were a privileged character.


Pedro, you are my prisoner"


The astonished outlaw sprung to his