He had hoped that these men would not come back in time to interfere with his disposal, in his own way, of the gold he had found.

They would not come back now, but the thought did not lighten his heart.

But before he reached the caves, he had determined to throw off the gloom and sadness which had come upon him.

Under the circumstances, grief for what had happened was out of place.

He must keep up a good heart, and help his companions to keep up good hearts.