“Hyar comes two boats, an’ dey looks like de _Day Dream’s_ tenders!”
When Andy made this startling announcement the treasure seekers abandoned their work to run with all speed to the beach where the statement could be verified by the evidence of their own senses.
Two boats were coming up the western shore of the island, both loaded nearly to the gunwales, and evidently heading for the place where the little party was standing.
“There’s no question about those being the _Day Dream’s_ tenders,” Jenkins said, after a long scrutiny. “White boats with gilt ribbons are not so plentiful in these waters that there can be more than two sets near here.”
“I suppose father has anchored further down the coast, and is coming up to look for us,” Gil said, in a tone of satisfaction.
The mate made no reply, but a troubled look came over his face, and this deepened into positive dismay as Andy said:
“It beats me why dey’s done gone anchored wid a fine breeze what would bring de yacht up hyar like a race hoss.”
“Perhaps they saw the blacks when the other boats left the island, and want to keep them in sight,” Nelse suggested.
This was not a very reasonable proposition, but Gil accepted it, since he could think of nothing better, and Jenkins stood silent and motionless until the occupants of the crafts could be distinguished. Then he muttered half to himself:
“If they have left the craft at anchor, not one has remained behind to look out for her, because the whole crew is here.”
Gil was about to ask what he meant, when they were hailed by Captain Mansfield from the leading craft.
“Sound and hearty, sir, and none the worse for havin’ stopped ashore a little too long. Where is the yacht?”
“Off Pearl Point in forty fathoms of water.”
“I’ll give you the particulars when we get ashore,” Captain Mansfield replied. “It’s too hard work to tell much of a story while it is necessary to shout.”
“De voudoos done gone did it,” Andy said, in a low tone. “I ’lowed dis yere was gwine ter happen when I brung de charm ashore, but de captain ’sisted on some ob de crew cumin’, an’ it had ter be done.”
“I won’t lay it on the voudoos,” Gil replied, mournfully, “but it is certainly true that we’ve had nothing but bad luck from the moment we decided to hunt for the pirates’ treasure.”