“Ha! That’s jest it!” The sailor closed one eye suggestively, glaring at the young major with the other. “The thirteen rocks is where the pirates buried their treasure—thousands and thousands of dollars’ worth!”
CHAPTER VIII
PLANNING TO ESCAPE
Ira Small glared at Jack in such an impressive manner that the young major of the Colby Hall battalion was not a little disturbed. He did not wonder over the fact that Captain Gilsen had thought the sailor crazy.
“It would be very fine to find the pirates’ treasure,” he returned briefly. “But just now what I am more interested in is getting away from this schooner.”
“I don’t blame you, lad! I don’t blame you! It’s a poor place for any one to be. An’ it’s much worse than it is now when the men git to drinkin’ and fightin’. I’ve been through it a dozen times, an’ I know! I was a big fool to ever come on board!”
“Well, why don’t you leave?”
“Easier said nor done, lad. The cap’n knows I don’t want to stay with him, an’ he an’ the mate watch me like a dog his bone. I’d git away fast enough if I had the chance.”
“We’ll talk about this again. Don’t say anything about it now,” warned Jack hastily, as he saw the mate of the Hildegarde approaching, having just come from below to take his trick at the wheel.