274 MARTIN RATTLER.

Barney sang and danced till he sank down on the
erass exhausted ; and, to say truth, Martin felt much
difficulty in restraining himself from doing likewise,
for before him was spread out the bright ocean,
gleaming in the light of the sinking sun, and calm
and placid as a mirror. It was indeed a glorious
sight to these two sailors, who had not seen the sea
for nearly two years. It was like coming suddenly
face to face, after a long absence, with an old and
much-loved friend.

Although visible, the sea, however, was still a long
way off from the Serra dos Orgaos, on which they
stood. But their steeds were good, and it was not
long ere they were both rolling like dolphins in the
beautiful bay of Rio de Janeiro.

Here Barney delivered up the gold and diamonds to
his employer, who paid him liberally for his services,
and entertained them both hospitably while they re-
mained in the city. The bag of gold and diamonds
which had been found on the body of the dead man
they appropriated, as it was absolutely impossible to
discover the rightful owner. Barney’s friend bought
it of them at full price, and when they embarked,
soon after, on board a homeward-bound ship, each
had four hundred pounds in his pocket!

As they sailed out of the noble harbour, Martin