Owing to the heat, and, possibly, because of the alleged shipwrecked mariners, the boys found it impossible to close their eyes in slumber at a very early hour on this particular night.
Before retiring, Nelse had proposed that they pay Andy a visit, but Gil objected on the score that it would only be to hear his croaking relative to the visit to Hayti, and, feeling decidedly disturbed in mind because of other reasons, time spent in the galley promised but little pleasure.
When the boys went below, the rescued party were stretched out amidships, more comfortable there than they would have been below, and, so far as could be judged by their respective positions, intent only on seeking repose.
Two hours later, after Gil and Nelse had tossed and turned in their bunks, unable to sleep because of the almost stifling heat, the latter said:
“Let’s go on deck. There’s no chance we shall close our eyes to-night if these mosquitoes continue so industrious, and we may as well be where it is possible to get the benefit of whatever air is stirring.”
“I’m ready to go, but we must move softly, in case father happens to be asleep.”
Because of this caution, the two gained the deck in nearly perfect silence, and the night was so dark that they could not be seen by those who might be on watch, save from a very short distance.
On the starboard side aft Mr. Jenkins was pacing to and fro, the sound of his footsteps alone disturbing the silence, and from the other side came a subdued murmur, which told that the strangers were yet engaged in conversation.
Without knowing exactly why he did so, Gil led his cousin forward until it was possible to distinguish what the rescued men were talking about, and then that which he heard was sufficient to attract his closest attention.
The bushy-whiskered fellow appeared to be the chief speaker, and he said, just as the boys drew near:
“There are only five, counting the skipper and mate. The cook and the cubs don’t amount to anything. This yacht is a clipper, and, with her, we could soon find a market for what has been left on the key.”
“Don’t you think we’ve done enough already?” a voice asked.
“Yes, if all hands have turned cowards. We shall not get any deeper in the mud by taking what has come to us, and, with a craft like this, everything is possible. I wouldn’t want a better berth than to sail such a schooner around the keys, stopping whenever we wanted two or three days ashore, and going wherever we took a fancy.”