Bartlett—It looks to be.
Jimmy—[Who has straightened up and is looking off left—suddenly points excitedly.] He look, Captain! Cook fella, he look here! Boy he look, too! They look plenty too much, Captain! [All four stand staring off at Butler and the boy, whose presence on the island they have forgotten in their mad excitement.]
Cates—[In stupid dismay.] They’ll know where it’s hid, sir!
Horne—They’ll tell ’em on the schooner!
Cates—[Wildly.] We’ve got to do for ’em, Captain! Gimme your knife, Jimmy—your knife—— [He stumbles toward the Islander, who pushes him aside brusquely, looking questioningly toward the Captain.]
Bartlett—[Who has been standing motionless, as if stunned by this forgotten complication—slowly.] There they be watchin’ us, the sneakin’ dogs! Sit down, an’ they won’t see. [They all squat in the sand.] I was forgettin’ they was here. [Striking his knee with clenched fist.] We’ve got to do somethin’ damn quick! That schooner’ll be up soon where they kin sight her—and they’ll wave and yell then—and she’ll see ’em!
Horne—And good-bye to the gold for us!
Jimmy—[Eagerly.] You say fella word, Captain, me kill um quick. They no make plenty cry for schooner! They keep damn still plenty too much!
Bartlett—[Looking at the Islander with mad cunning but replying only to Horne.] Aye, it’s good-bye to the gold, Horne. That scum of a cook—he’s made a mock o’ us—sayin’ it wasn’t gold when he knew it was—he’ll tell ’em—he’ll get joy o’ tellin’ ’em!
Horne—And that scrub of a boy—he’s no better. He’ll be in with him neck and crop.