“I would like to if our boats were large enough, but with these cockle-shells it couldn’t be done. The only question to be considered is whether you will be safe here. Tell me what happened after you landed?”
Gil gave his father a detailed account of their adventures, Jenkins and Andy adding to the story from time to time, and when it was concluded Captain Mansfield said:
“Andy’s idea of using the rockets was a capital one, and I don’t think we need have any fear the blacks will return for some time, but if they should, your crowd is large enough to resist an ordinary attack. I don’t expect to be away more than four days, and you can surely hold out as long as that.”
“Am I to go with you, sir?” Jenkins asked.
“No; you must stay here in charge of the party, and the boys are to obey your orders as they would mine. Now we will see what can be done toward getting breakfast, and then set about making ready for the voyage.”
Andy immediately took up the duties as cook, and while he and the boys went for a supply of shell fish, Jenkins and one of the sailors started in search of water, for, now that the party was so large, a greater amount of the precious liquid would be needed.
Captain Mansfield lost no time in making his preparations. He was desirous of taking advantage of the first fair wind, and therefore everything was done on this day. Even the water and provisions were put on board the tender, so that it would be only necessary to launch her when the proper moment should arrive.
It was yet quite early in the afternoon when the work was finished, and Gil urged his father to go with him and Nelse to the old palm.
“If we are to stay here three or four days there is no reason why we shouldn’t continue to hunt for the treasure, since it will serve to occupy the time, but Andy believes something terrible will happen if we do such a thing.”
“If you find any pleasure in digging, keep at it, by all means,” Captain Mansfield said, laughingly, “but I don’t care to walk even a dozen yards for the purpose of seeing an old tree. Andy’s foolish talk needn’t trouble you, for it is merest nonsense to think a voudoo can do more than any other person.”
Gil wanted to get his father’s advice as to the best method of testing the correctness of the chart, but all pleadings were in vain.