Page 361 - The snake's pass

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THE FULFILMENT. — 349
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" Poor fellows " said Dick, " they did their duty
nobly. They guarded their treasure to the last." Then
he went on. " See ! they evidently stepped into the
bog, straight off the rock, and were borne down at
once, holding tight to the handles of the chest they
carried—or stay"—and he stooped lower and caught
hold of something :
" See how the bog can preserve
! this leather strap
attached to the handles of the chest each had round
his shoulder, and so, willy nilly, they were dragged to
their doom. Never mind! they were brave fellows all
the same, and faithful ones—they never let go the
handles—look ! their dead hands clasp them still. France
should be proud of such sons ! It would make a noble
coat of arms, this treasure chest sent by freemen to aid
others—and with two such supporters ! "j
We looked at the chest and the skeletons for a while,
and then Dick said:
"Joyce, this is on your land—for it is yours till to-
morrow—and you may as well keep — possession is
it
nine points of the law—and if we take the gold out,
the government can only try to claim it. But if they
!
take it, we may ask in vain " Joyce answered :
"Take it I will, an' gladly; but not for meself. The
money was sent for Ireland's good — to help them that
wanted help, an' plase God ! I'll see it does'nt go asthray
now !
Dick's argument was a sensible one, and straightway
we wrenched the top off the chest, and began to remove