The little giant stooped and gave a grunt of disdain.  “I reckon there ain’t nothin’ that size I can’t lift,” said he, in a superior tone, which was not lost on the women.  Trunnell seldom bragged, and we crowded around, looking for quick results.

“A little bit o’ trunk a-breakin’ the backs o’ a pair o’ fellows as has the impudence to say they are men an’ question the discipline o’ the ship!” he said, with a loud grunt of disgust.  “Stan’ clear an’ let a man have a chanst.  If it’s gold, an’ ye’re right, it’ll rattle an’ jingle fast enough; an’ I hopes then ye’ll be satisfied.”

He took a strong hold of the leather handle at the side and braced his little legs wide apart.  It was evident he would put forth some power.  Then he set the great muscles of his broad back slowly, like a dray horse testing the load before putting forth his strength.  Slowly and surely the little mate’s back raised.  He grew red in the face, and we peered over the treasure, hoping it would rise and give forth the welcome jingle.

Suddenly there was a ripping sound.  Trunnell straightened up quickly, staggered for an instant, and then pitched forward over the trunk, uttering a fierce oath.

Mrs. Sackett screamed.  Jennie burst into a wild fit of laughter.  Chips and Gunning stood staring with open mouths and eyes, while Trunnell picked himself up, with the trunk handle in his iron fist.

“Faith, an’ ye are a good strong man,” said the carpenter.  “Ye’d make a fortune as a porter a-liftin’ trunks at a hotel.”

“He can lift a little thing like that,” said Jennie, mimicking the mate’s tone to perfection.

Trunnell was now thoroughly mad.  If the trunk contained gold, he would soon find out.

“Bring yer tools, an’ don’t stan’ laffin’ like a loon, ye bloody Irishman,” he said to Chips, and the carpenter disappeared quickly.  He returned in a moment with a brace and bit, a cold chisel, and a hammer.

“Knock off the top,” said Trunnell.

“Discipline is discipline,” whispered Jennie; “and I don’t want to be around if the captain comes back.”

Trunnell was too angry to pay attention to this remark, so he looked sourly on while the carpenter cut off the rivets holding the lock.

“There ye are,” he said, and we crowded around to look in while the mate raised the lid.

Off it came easily enough.  We stood perfectly silent for an instant.  Then all except Trunnell burst out laughing.  The trunk was empty!

“Well, sink me down deep, but that ware the heaviest air I ever see,” said Trunnell.  Then he picked up a slip of paper in the bottom and looked at it a moment.  It had writing on it, and he unfolded it to read.  I looked over his shoulder and read aloud:—­