XX.   THE REPULSE AT THE STOCKADE XXI.   CAPTAIN CRADDOCK XXII.   A LEAP FOR LIFE XXIII.   THE PERILS OF THE SHOAL XXIV.   MORE TROUBLE IN SIGHT XXV.   WE ARRIVE AT THE HIDING-PLACE OF THE TREASURE XXVI.   UNTOLD WEALTH XXVII.   THE MUTINY OF THE NEPTUNE XXVIII.   THE FATE OF THE MUTINEERS XXIX.   HOMEWARD BOUND XXX.   THE LAST OF MY SWORN ENEMY XXXI.   THE BURNING SHIP XXXII.   CONSTANCE'S STORY XXXIII.   SAFE IN PORT

Illustrations
CAPTAIN JEREMY IS WOUNDED (Frontispiece)
I DESCENDED HAND OVER HAND
THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS"
I SHOUTED TO THE MEN TO HEAVE ROUNDLY
MAP OF THE ISLAND

A	The Golden Hope in harbour.
B	The stockade.
C	Path taken by first expedition in search of the treasure.
CC	Path taken by successful expedition.
D	Wreck of the Madre de Dios.
E	Cave where Clifford was held prisoner.
F	Shoal where Clifford was attacked by octopus.
G	Site of the master gunner's ambuscade.
H	Buccaneers' harbour and settlement.
K	Wreck of the Black Arrow.
L	False landmark erected by Captain Jeremy's orders.
M	Wreck of Neptune owing to false bearings.
N	Where the treasure was found.
O	Cove where Cherry and the long-boat's crew landed.
P	Deep water channel inside shoals, unknown to Captain Jeremy.
Q	Existing path between buccaneers' harbour and south side of island.
R	Bearing for navigating channel.
	The track of the Golden Hope into the harbour is shown by the black line.
	The shaded portion of the shoals were uncovered at low water.

THE QUEST OF THE
"GOLDEN HOPE"

CHAPTER I

Of the Fugitive from Sedgemoor

Well do I, Clifford Hammond, remember the 10th day of July in the year of grace 1685. Rebellion, though some would have it 'twas justifiable invasion, had appeared in the land. Monmouth had landed in Dorset, and had raised an army. How he fared, the men of Hampshire knew not as yet, though there were many who prayed for the successful issue of his venture.

Little did I think, living on the borders of the New Forest, that the outbreak in the West would affect the welfare of our house. Yet it did, though, I must confess, indirectly; for had it not been for the routing of the rebels at Sedgemoor, the voyage of the Golden Hope would not have been undertaken, nor would I be able to relate the desperate adventures of her crew in gaining the object of the expedition. But I am forestalling my story.

Our family, the Hammonds of Brockenhurst, had lived within the bounds of the Forest for centuries, as witness the name of Geoffroi Hammond, who served with distinction at the taking of the Great Christopher in the sea-fight of Sluys; or of Thomas Hammond, who fought at Agincourt: but I would make it plain that the Hammonds of Brockenhurst have no connection with the rebel Colonel Hammond--though, to his credit be it said, he treated His Majesty King Charles the Martyr, during his captivity in the Isle of Wight, with far more courtesy than did his brother officers.

My father, Captain Richard Hammond--"Foul-weather Dick", as he was affectionately dubbed in the fleet--had had an adventurous career both ashore and afloat. Beginning with the fatal fight at Naseby when he was but a young cornet of horse of barely twenty years of age, he had fought Dutch, Algerines, and, sad to relate, his fellow-countrymen; but for