His report was decidedly encouraging. He had seen the blacks land on the adjoining island, and watched the boats sufficiently long to assure himself that there was no danger of an immediate return.
“Dey’s done gone runned off fur erwhile,” he said, in a tone of satisfaction, “an’ we’se gwine ter lebe dis yere place erfore dey wants ter cum back.”
“Did you see anything of the yacht?” Jenkins asked.
“Not a hooter; I reckon she’s done gone ’round de udder side ob de islan’, an’ we’se gwine ter see her when she’s lettin’ go de cable.”
“I reckon you’re right, Andy, and since there’s nothing more to fear, we can spend the time as we choose.”
“If that is the case,” Gil said, in a serious tone, “Nelse and I want to make one search for the treasure.”
All Andy’s fears were aroused at this mention of the pirates’ gold, as could be told by his face; but he made no other protest than to say:
“We’se bin in all dis yere trubble jes’ on ’count ob dat, an’ it stands to reason we oughter lebe it go.”
“But what harm will be done, if we spend the time while waiting for the yacht in searching for it? When she arrives we shall go on board, whether anything has been found or not, and there can surely no trouble come of that.”
The old darky made no reply, but he shook his head in an ominous manner while his hand rested on his shirt, under which the boys believed the famous “charm” was hidden.
“Have you got the chart?” Jenkins asked. For reply, Gil took the piece of paper and strip of wood from his jacket, saying, as he handed them to the mate:
“The blacks didn’t think these were of sufficient value to steal, otherwise we might have been obliged to give up the search almost before it was begun.”
“An’ dat would er bin a mighty good t’ing,” Andy muttered, without so much as turning his head.
For at least the twentieth time the mate pored over the document, and then he said:
“Suppose we have one try for it. That can surely do no harm, and it will serve to occupy our time while waiting for the yacht.”
As may be supposed, the boys were more than willing to act on this suggestion, and Jenkins immediately began making preparations for moving the small amount of stores to the place where they had so nearly met their death.