Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/361

 "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!"

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 it—possession is 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