“My dear friend Harry, but for your discovery of the articles here before us (the treasure), both by good luck and your great ingenuity, I should not now find myself the possessor of what must certainly be of considerable value.  Now, if you have any special wish as to which of the articles you would like to possess, make your choice now, freely and without stint.”

I stepped forward and selected some of the old arms, including the silver pistols, the three books, and four bags of doubloons.  Then, turning the jewels out of the casket, I asked that this beautiful piece of workmanship might be mine also.

“Is that all, Harry?” said M. Oudin.

“All, and more, sir, than I have really any claim to.”

“Good lad; I admire your moderation.  Now, friend Alec, and what would you like to take away with you?”

“Well, sir, as the digging was mighty hard work, perhaps you would not mind my taking a bag of the money, for I think it would be of more service to me than anything else, as I can, by changing it, soon make it into such small dimensions as to fold comfortably within the tuck of my pocket book for future use.”

“Very well, my lad, your request shall be granted.  And you, my dear girl,” turning to Priscilla, “what would you like as a memento of my visit, and as a remembrance of your bridegroom’s sojourn on my island?”

Priscilla eyed the lace lovingly, and also the gems, but was puzzled in her mind to know how much of one or the other she might select without fear of encroaching on M. Oudin’s generosity.  M. Oudin quickly came to the rescue with, “Now, my dear, you and Mrs. Nilford divide the lace into three equal heaps, and I will tell you what we will decide upon.”

After a time the three heaps were arranged upon the floor, and M. Oudin informed us that he should ask my father to place his foot upon one of the heaps as he (M.  Oudin) stood just outside the door.  My dad did so, and M. Oudin cried, “For Madam Nilford.”  Again my father touched a heap with his foot.  This time he cried, “For my own dear self.”  Then bursting into the room he, with extravagant bows and apologies to Priscilla for leaving her out, wound up by gathering up the remaining heap of lace, and placing it at her feet.  Then, taking her by the hand, he led her to the table with: 

“Now, my dear child, let me pay a penalty for my omission in not calling out your name.  With this sweet little hand, which is in another hour to be claimed by our friend here, grasp as many of these rough-skinned little gems as your hand will hold, and they shall be yours.”

She grasped, but could only clutch fourteen or fifteen in her hand.

“Ah!” exclaimed our volatile guest, “you see you are not of a grasping nature.  Come, Harry, try your luck at a grasp.”

I took a big grab and succeeded in retaining about forty, so that we had between us much more than half the precious stones.  But this was not all, for he continued: