The next morning the four men met again, at Bill and Matty's house, for early morning Irish coffees. Unfortunately for Bill, who was trying to keep the treasure find under wraps, each man brought their spouses.

Bill chuckled to himself, but said aloud, "I guess there really are no secrets here in the Bay."

The women and the men all told Bill that no one else was aware of the find, but, as always in the Bay, their cellphones were alive with messages.

"Turn the cellphones off," Bill told them all. 

"I will get spirits to watch over the house and lighthouse while we are cleaning up this shit."

Bill got the blue Rubbermaid container of gems and jewelry and brought it into the house. He informed the women how to clean up the precious gems, at which point they all stared at him and Bill was ordered to go to Tucker's and get soft toothbrushes, baking soda, lemon detergent, beer and wine.

Bill did as he was told and upon returning, he told the men to set up the folding tables in the lighthouse and turn on the heaters. The men then went to Tucker's and bought new, clean Rubbermaid containers, 5 gallon bottles of distilled water, paper towels and microfibre cloths.

The new containers were filled with distilled water and as each coin was first wiped to get rid of as much dirt and grime as possible, they were then placed, one level only, in the distilled water for several minutes. The were then patted dry with the paper towels and rubbed gently with the microfibre cloths.

The coins were then placed one level at a time, in small rectangular plastic containers. Each level had white tissue paper between them.

While the men worked on the gold coins, in the lighthouse, Matty and the women sat around the dining room table, cleaning the jewelry and gems. They used much the same methods as the men, but soaked the jewels in warm water with lemon dish soap, before cleaning gently with soft bristled tooth brushes. baking soda was used to get off more stubborn grit and grime.

As the men filled each rectangular plastic container, it was brought to the house. Each container held 200 gold coins and weighed about 380 ounces.

At one point during the day, Bill, Carl and Wike got on their snowmobiles and drove back to the cave.

Paddy Webster, Jackson Lamont and Issac Dove had stayed at the cave to make sure that no one entered the cave.

The three men went inside, with hand garden tools and dug through the ground to retrieve any coins or jewels that might have been missed. To be more comfortable, they brough Coleman lanterns and small propane heaters.

The three men retrieved another 200 plus coins and a handful of gems and jewels. Once they finished, Bill took the old bones of two of the pirates that had been killed by Paddy Webster. He asked Paddy their names, but Paddy swore that he could not remember them. Bill wondered why their spirits were not there, but got no definitive answer from the other spirits.

"Sometimes," Issac tried to explain, "the spirits are just too weak to remain or they have no desire to remain. Sometimes they are not smart enough to even realize they have the option."

Bill informed Paddy that he was going to keep the bones in the lighthouse, until spring and then he would bury them in the cemetery, with a small headstone.

Paddy made no indication, as to whether it made any difference to him. 

Bill understood, as sometimes spirits lose their empathy.

It took until seven at night, before all the coins and jewelry were cleaned. The ten involved in the massive cleanup, shared a drink and looked at their treasure, now displayed on the dining room table.

There were 34 containers of gold coins, plus another twenty or so loose ones.

A total of 6821 coins. Bill estimated the value at just over $23 million dollars at per ounce value. The historic value was indeterminate. Each coin was approximately 2 ounces. One side was blank and one side had the Tuckamore County coat of arms on it. A rough stamping of their coat of arms.

As for the gems and jewelry, there was 50 loose diamonds, 34 rubies and 22 emeralds. Each gem was of different sizes and shapes and the value could only be determined by a jeweller.

There were 11 gold bracelets, some with diamonds encrusted. There were 6 pairs of gem encrusted earrings and several loose pieces with various damage. There were 43 gold rings, which looked like wedding bands and 21 diamond encrusted rings, which the group determined were some king of engagement ring.

There were three necklaces, with separate strings of diamonds, emerald and rubies and a tiara. The tiara was encrusted with over 200 different gems and was made of solid gold.

Bill invites Issac and Silas to look at the treasures. Issac was able to clarify the stories behind some of the jewelry.

The people of Tuckamore County were simple people, who wore little or no jewelry, except for their simple gold bands, that each married person wore. 

The rest of the jewellery was ornamental and only worn on special occasions, such as marriages.

The earrings would be worn by the women at such occasions. The necklaces were worn by the wives of heads of the four families of Tuckamore County, at special occasions. Issac informed that one necklace was missing, probably lost when Paddy Webster moved the treasures from the Emily Rose to their final resting place in the cave.

The tiara was worn by any new bride in the County. Marriages were the one time that the men and women of the County were adorned at their finest. 

Issac explained that the groom would wear a heavy gold chain, with a large gold replication of the Tuckamore County coat of arms, attached to it. It, too, had probably been lost in time.

Bill asked Issac what he would like seen done with the treasures.

Issac looked at the treasure on the table.

"As head of the families, William, that will be your decision."

"We do not decide that way anymore, Issac. We now have a committee of all the families that make decisions together."

Issac nodded.

"That is a better way, I suppose.

But if you still value my opinion, I would like for you to once again use the jewelry, for the reason it was designed. When you have a marriage in the Bay, have it again, in the tradition of Tuckamore County."

"And how was that?"

"The marriages were performed by the head of the County. I, myself saw to the union of over forty couples, in my lifetime."

Wike laughed.

"Well, Billy boy, Ise guesses dat means dat youse has to become a minister. Guess dat means no more fuckin' swearin'."

Cindy smacked her husband in the back of the head.

"Wycliff Rideout. Ifin youse don't 'ave someting sensible to say, den don't say nothin' at all."

"Guess wese won't be hearin' from Wike, ever again," Michael laughed.

"Dat'll be da day," Carl added.

"I don't know if that is possible, Issac," Bill told the spirit, once the laughter had subsided.

"Actually," Matty smirked, "you could ask your buddy to help you out."

"My buddy?"

"Well, husband, you are friends with the Premier of Newfoundland. He could probably pull some strings and have you made a marriage commissioner. The mayors of St. John's and Corner Brook can perform marriages and it would be a unique attraction, if the Mayor of Tuckamore Bay could do the same."

"But I am not really the Mayor."

Wike raised his beer.

"Ise says wese makes Billy boy da official Mayor of Tuckamore Bay."

He turned to Cindy and flinched slightly, expecting another slap in the head.

Cindy nodded and raised her glass.

"Fer once, I has to agree wit me husband."

"Well that's all fine and dandy, but we really need the majority of the people ...."

Bill was cut off, as everyone suddenly went to their cellphones.

"What the?"

Bill took out his cell and started laughing. He looked at Matty.

"You are crazy."

Matty has sent a TT asking everyone of voting age to elect Bill as Mayor.

It was unanimous.

Matty closed her cell.

"Well that's looked after."

Bill laughed, shaking his head.

"Okay I will talk to Daniel. If he agrees, I would be honoured to officiate at weddings."

He looked at Issac.

"And if you will walk me through the ceremony, I think everyone would love to have the tradition of Tuckamore County brought back to life."

Issac smiled.

"I would be happy to take you through the ceremony, William. And it would be a wonderful thing to bring back the traditional wedding ceremony."

"Okay," Bill sighed.

"Then I am going to make the suggestion that the jewellery be used, as it once was. As for the wedding rings and miscellaneous pieces, with Issac's help, I would like to attach names to the pieces and use them as a display, maybe in the Sandy Bay Motel."

"Maybe wese cud makes a kinda museum for da Bay," Wike suggested, flinching again.

Cindy stared at her husband and took the beer from him.

"What bes youse drinkin'?"

She smelled the bottle and passed it back to Wike.

"Hmmm," she moaned, " it smell like beer."

She stared at Wike for a moment.

"Who be youse and what 'as youse done wit me 'usband?"

Matty nodded.

"Actually, that sounds like an amazing idea. I don't know why any of us haven't though of it before. We could build it atop the hill, behind the Sandy Bay Motel. 

I'll get Tanya to come up with some designs."

"Now ifin wese only 'ad pictures of da original peoples of da Bay dat owned dem jewels, wese cud 'ave dem wit da jewellery pieces," Wike suggested, nonchalantly.

Everyone stared at Wike.

"What?"

Issac laughed.

"We may not have pictures, Sir Wike, but we do have something else."

Matty laughed.

"We have the spirits."

She looked at Bill.

"We could get the spirits to sit for a portrait."

"A painting?"

"No," Bill answered. "A simple charcoal or pencil drawing. There must be someone here in the Bay that could do that."

Officer Temple turned to Yolanda.

"You can do it."

Lindsay nodded.

"Landa used to love drawing."

Officer Temple nodded.

"She still does."

He took out his cellphone and opened his photos. He passed it to Bill.

"Look at these."

Everyone gathered around and looked at the drawings, as Bill swiped through them.

"These are amazing."

There were drawings of the lighthouse, General Store and Sandy Bay. There were drawings of Officer Temple and all the members of Yolanda's family and friends.

Matty walked to Yolanda.

"Would you be up to doing this?"

She nodded.

"I can do oils, ifin Issac helps me with da colours and such."

"I would be honoured, young Yolanda. We would all be honoured."

"Then Ise will do them, but Ise don't knows ifin Ise will 'ave da time, with workin' at the Pub."

Lindsay shook her head.

"This be too important. It has to be done properly. Youse takes time off from da Pub and do the paintings. We will set youse up wherever youse wants."

"There are still a couple empty offices in the Village Hall," Matty reminded everyone.

"Landa could set up a studio there. Just tell us what you need and we will pay for everything."

A huge smile came to Yolanda's face.

"I'll get a list together and get it ordered online."

"So that looks after the jewels," Bill nodded.

"Now all we have to do is decide what to do with the coins."

"I know I am not a part of decision making," Issac spoke up, "but may I remind you that the gold belongs to the people of Tuckamore Bay. It was the hard work of their ancestors that compiled the gold and, I believe, that it should be distributed to the families of the Bay, for them to use in whatever way they wish."

"Its not as simple as that, Issac."

"And why is that, William? The coins belonged to Tuckamore County, so by law, they now belong to the descendants of Tuckamore County.

And that would be the people of Tuckamore Bay."

"That would bes 'bout forty-five coin per person," Carl spoke up.

"Dat bes about $75-80 t'ousand dollar per person, jest at gold prices per ounce."

"Dat be a lot of money," Cindy exclaimed.

She looked at Wike.

"Stop smilin'. Youse aint gettin' a dime."

Bill shook his head.

"I still believe we have to look at this in a different light. These coins are not just gold, they are a part of history. One was sold at auction, not long ago, for $40 thousand dollars."

Carl laughed.

"Ifin wese got dat per coin, it wud be..."

He started doing the calculation in his head, but Lindsay had her cellphone out and calculator opened.

"Fuck," she gasped.

"That be almost $273 million dollars."

"That is why we have to do this properly," Bill suggested.

"We have to look at this from all angles."

The others agreed.

Lindsay said it best.

"Looks. The way Ise sees it, wese are all in pretty good shape. None of us really owes any money, at all and wese are all workin' and wese all knows why."

She looked at Bill.

"Ise says dat dis money belongs to youse, Bill."

Bill put up his hands.

"No, no, no, no, no."

Matty stepped in.

"Look, everyone. We are not going to let this gold be a point of difference for the Bay. If it does, I will personally bundle it all together, tie a two hundred pounder to it and drop it off fucking Anchor Point."

She stared at those gathered.

"This gold is our legacy, that is true, but it has to be used to ensure that the future of Tuckamore Bay is ensured."

She looked at Issac.

"Things are like they used to be, Poppy Dove. Money changes people and we do not need that influence here."

"I think I understand, Matty."

Matty looked around.

"This has to stay in this room. If this gets out, it could go beyond the Bay and we will just be looking for more trouble."

Matty looked at the table filled with treasures.

"This could be the downfall of the Bay."

Avery Simpson spoke for the first time.

"Michael and I were so happy to be able to come back to the Bay and be employed full time. I love it here in the Bay and even though I am not originally from the Bay, I consider it home.

I agree with Matty. We have to be very careful what we do with this find. I know we all could use extra money, but I have a feeling that if not handled properly, this could be squandered and in the end, well, when its gone, its gone.

And it can never be replaced."

Avery stepped back near her husband.

"That's all I wanted to say."

"Look, its getting late and I am sure that we are all tired. Let's call it a day.

I will have Nanny Dove and several of the spirits stay here tonight, to keep an eye on things. We will have a town meeting soon and make a decision on what to do."

Cindy shook her head.

"No. Dat bes a bad idea, Bill."

Cindy looked at the others.

"Look. I knows dis bes a lot of money, but seriously, is it.

What Ise means is dat wese would not even bes 'ere right now, ifin it weren't fer Bill. It bes 'is money dat got da Bay back to where it is today.

Remember, Ise does da books and Ise is Bill and Matty's personal accountant. Dey has put 90% of dere money into da Bay. Dey made sure dat da money from Simon Hirst were put back into da Bay and now, da money dat Gail Hirst invested, bes also put into a building account fer da Bay, 'cept fer da $10 thousand dollars dat wese all got from Gail.

Which, by da way, Matty and Bill did not take."

Cindy took a deep breath.

"Wese is not a greedy bunch of fuckers. Most of us were struggling, before Bill walked into this Bay and most of us were ready to move away. 

Now wese all home. Wese all working. Wese all are doin' well and Ise knows dat virtually everyone in da Bay is debt free and again, it bes all because of Bill and Matty."

"So what does you suggest, Cindy?" Lindsay asked softly.

"Dat stuff dere on dat table might bes a treasure to some, but Ise tinks dat it shud bes da Bay sayin' thank youse, to da two peoples dat saved da Bay."

Cindy turned to Bill and Matty.

"And Ise don't cares what da twos of youse tinks. Youse deserves dat stuff. Not only because of what youse 'as done for Tuckamore Bay, but because, ifin da truth be knowed, youse two bes da only two dat knows 'ow to 'andle it and what bests bes done wit it.

It nots even bes a start for da Bay payin' youse back for all youse 'as done."

Wike walked to his wife.

"Ise 'as to agree with Cindy. Not because she's will kills me ifin Ise don't, but because Ise knows dat she bes suggestin' da rite ting.

And Ise knows dat everyone in da Bay wud agrees wit me."

Wike looked at the table.

"But Ise wud love one of dem coin."

Cindy slapped Wike in the arm, amid the laughter of the others.

"Take your coin, Wike. All of you, take a coin."

Bill watched as each took one coin.

"If the Bay agree to what Cindy said, then I will abide by that, with the knowledge that if the Bay needs the money, I will see to it that the Bay gets the money.

And, as I believe that the Bay should share, I am going to distribute two coins to every member of the Bay, once I get them properly presented. I want to get some fancy cases and such. We will make the presentation at New Years. 

The rest of the coins will be locked up in a safe, in a location to be determined.

And one thing that this money will build is the new Tuckamore Bay Museum. And Yolanda, if you are going to do the portraits, I would like you to run the new museum."

Yolanda smiled. "I would love to, Bill."

Bill looked around and let out a long breath.

"Thank you all for believing in me and Matty and I assure you, as always, we will do what is right for the Bay."

He walked to his bar and took out a 50 year old Glenfiddich scotch.

"I was saving this for a special moment. I think this is it."

He took out crystal glasses and poured a drink for all.

"To Tuckamore Bay. Long may she reign."