"I acknowledge him to be my superior, even in courage. I have not forgotten how he defied the devil himself in the terremoto," replied the Basque.
Baptiste turned to Carew, and proceeded to speak in French. "The lads are ready to follow you anywhere, sir."
"They did not seem at all surprised, and received your communication in a very matter-of-fact way," said Carew.
"They are accustomed to strange jobs of this kind. But I don't think they quite realise what a vast sum we are going to make. Idiots! It would be a pity to give them too much. We must settle later on, captain, how to divide the spoil."
"Last night you said that it should be divided equally among us."
"I spoke hastily. I don't think so now. You and I appreciate money and know how to use it. These pigs would squander it. We will give them just enough to keep their mouths shut. You and I will divide the bulk. If we fill their hands with bright gold pieces, the ignorant wretches will imagine that they have got an inexhaustible fortune, and they will go away perfectly satisfied. I know the animals."
The mate, taking Carew's watch and chain with him, rowed on shore in the dinghy, and returned in an hour with three revolvers, some cartridges, and a quantity of plantains, yams, and other vegetables.
He leapt on deck. "Captain," he cried, "there is not much time to be lost. I have learnt that La Bonne Esperance—that is the barque's name—will sail without fail this evening as soon as the land breeze springs up."
"Then we will get under way immediately after breakfast," said Carew; "for the wind seems to be light outside, and we shall not travel fast."