RIVER CRAYFISH. 11 j 



rapidly returned with it, exclaiming — ^^ Feather safe, fine. 

 feather, hut plenty big cannon down where feather live.'' 

 This re23ort, as maybe readily imagined, made the sink- 

 ing heart of the poor captain leap again. Blackey was 

 despatched to the regions below to take another look at 

 matters, and after a short absence came back with the 

 glorious news that there were ^' plenty hig hoxes too, and 

 lots of this,'^ — exhibiting his dusky paws filled with 

 silver. I^ow the captain Avas in his true element at 

 last ; and there lay the work he loved so well, ready cut 

 out for him; and he proved quite equal to the occasion, 

 for from that deep gulf, far down among the corals and 

 the Crabs, in whose custody it had quietly remained for 

 more than half a century, he brought to light thirty- 

 two tons of silver bullion, besides large quantities of 

 gold, pearls, and other valuables. We find that Phipps 

 was knighted by James II. He was appointed Sheriff 

 of "New England, and took command of a large expedi- 

 tionary force against the French. We afterwards find 

 him in command of a fleet fitted out to oppose the same 

 enemy in Canada, and subsequently taking part in the 

 Border warfare of the period, as a leader of some cele- 

 brity ; and at this point of his career we bid adieu to 

 Sir James Phipps and the happy- chance discovery which 

 led him on to greatness. 



There is yet another little crustacean, rather a delver 

 than a diver, well known to every sea-side visitor. 



i2 



