“But we have saved our ammunition,” muttered Storms, a minute later, compressing his lips; “and I know how to use my revolver, and it is only for a short time that I shall have to maintain watch.”
While Abe Storms was talking to himself in this fashion, he had his eye on the captain, who was walking slowly toward that portion of the island where the pearls had been concealed so carefully, and there could be no doubt of his errand. He did not hear the soft footstep behind him, which was so regulated that it 196 came up with him just as the latter paused at the all-important spot.
The captain first looked out to sea, and then behind him, catching sight, as he did so, of the smiling countenance of his mate––so far as his countenance could be seen through the wealth of beard.
“Hello! What are you doing here?” asked the captain, in a voice which showed some perplexity, if not displeasure.
“What are you doing here?” asked Storms, in turn, slapping him familiarly on the shoulder. “I suppose we came upon the same errand, as we are so soon to leave for home. The pearls are buried here, and we must carry them away with us.”
“How do you know that’s what I came for, Abe?”
“I’m only saying I suspect it’s your business. I know it’s mine.”
Captain Bergen was a little bewildered by the sharp manner in which the good-natured mate caught him up, and, while he seemed to be debating with himself what to say, Storms took his arm and led him a short distance off, and, seating him on the beach, said:
“There’s no hurry about the business, Jack, for we won’t start until to-morrow morning at daylight, so as to have as few nights on the voyage as possible, and we had better decide on the proper course for us to take.”
“That is correct,” replied the captain, assenting so 197 quietly that his friend hoped he would remain easily manageable.