walls were solid and so was the ceiling above them.
"The flooring has a couple of loose planks in it," announced Dick. "If we can get them up, where will the opening lead to?"
"The forward hold, lad, and that is now half full of sand and water."
"Never mind, I'm going to get the planks up if I can."
With his head still aching Dick set to work and old Jerry helped him. It was no easy matter to shift the heavy planking, but after a while they got one plank up and then used this as a pry to bring up the second.
A dark hole was revealed, covered at the bottom with water. Then Dick took the lantern and let himself down cautiously.
"The water is only about a foot deep," he announced. "I'm going to make a search around with the lantern."
"Hold on, I'll go with ye," cried old Jerry, and came down with a splash.
With great caution they moved around the hold, wading through sand and water, and climbing over boxes, barrels, and crates.
"What a mixture of cargo," said Dick. "And what a pity so much of it is going to ruin," and he pointed to some valuable min-
